With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the National League Central and the Cincinnati Reds:
Cincinnati Reds
2018 record: 67-95, 5th in NL Central
Projected Lineup:
SS Jose Peraza
1B Joey Votto
2B Scooter Gennett
3B Eugenio Suarez
RF Yasiel Puig
LF Jesse Winker
CF Scott Schebler
C Tucker Barnhart
Pitcher
Starting Rotation:
RH Sonny Gray
LH Alex Wood
RH Tanner Roark
RH Luis Castillo
RH Anthony DeSclalfani
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Raisel Iglesias
LH Amir Garrett
RH Michael Lorenzen
RH Jared Hughes
Key Bench Pieces:
OF Matt Kemp
INF Jose Iglesias
UTL Derek Dietrich
Believe it or not, I’ve been looking forward to going over the 2019 Reds because my thoughts on them heading into the new season are very positive. Taking a look at the potential lineup above, it’s hard to hate on that 2-5. We all know what Joey Votto can do. His power numbers were down last year hitting just 12 home runs slugging just .419, but his career OBP of .427 ranks 12th all-time among qualifiers. Both Gennett and Suarez had career years last year, leading the Reds in WAR with 4.2, home runs, 23 for Gennet and 34 for Suarez, and OPS with .847 and .892 respectively. Gennett broke out last year, but if you ask me it’s Suarez to watch out for. The Reds also upgraded their outfield with the trade for Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp with the Dodgers this offseason. Add these two in with the young Jesse Winker, who I anticipate having a breakout year in 2019, you can definitely see that GM Nick Krall and President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams helped give their team some more of an offensive boost.
Krall and Williams also helped give their rotation a jolt as well, also receiving Alex Wood from the trade with the Dodgers, as well as acquiring Roark from the Nationals and Gray from the Yankees. If you ask me, Gray’s performance in the Bronx does not reflect the kind of pitcher he is. Some guys just can’t play in certain atmospheres; Gray was a dominant starter for Oakland, but lost focus when moving over to the east coast. Now, after signing a three-year extension with the Reds, I believe he will return to his ace like status.
The Reds bullpen is no slouch either, anchored by Iglesias who had a very good 2019 where he pitched to a 2.38 ERA and 30 saves. He will be supported by Hughes, who held a 1.94 ERA and 1.017 WHIP in 72 games, as well as Amir Garrett and Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen has also expressed interest in becoming a two-way player as he can definitely swing the bat (he held a .290 average with 4 home runs in 31 at bats in 2018).
All in all, the Reds made upgrades this offseason and are stepping in the right direction. They’ve finished 5th in each of the last four seasons, not being able to eclipse 70 wins. In 2019, not only do I see them winning 70, but I don’t see them dead last.
2019 prediction: 4th in NL Central
