Cincinnati The Reds will give their younger players a crash education on what it takes to win and make the playoffs if everything goes as planned under new manager Terry Francona.
If not, Francona will learn about the other half’s lifestyle from a few seasoned players who were brought in during the summer and have a proven track record. However, many are feeling hopeful because of how they came together throughout Spring Training.
“A lot of versatile guys, really athletic guys that can run and play all over,” said third baseman Gavin Lux, who won the World Series with the Dodgers in 2024. “Now we can all take that next step of game planning, controlling the strike zone and all the little things. I think obviously the talent is there. Now we just grow as a group. I think it’s been fun seeing everyone progress these last seven weeks.”
Besides Francona, who has a Hall of Fame resume and two World Series rings, and Lux, president of baseball operations Nick Krall also brought in starting pitchers Brady Singer and Wade Miley, relievers Taylor Rogers and Scott Barlow, left fielder Austin Hays and catcher Jose Trevino. Veteran starting pitcher Nick Martinez returned as a free agent and reliever Brent Suter was re-signed.
All of those players are tasked with setting examples for talented young teammates like shortstop Elly De La Cruz and second baseman Matt McLain. That talent is one reason why Trevino — who was with the American League champion Yankees in ’24 and a 2022 All-Star — signed a two-year contract extension before the season even started.
“Look around the room right now, we have some electric guys,” Trevino said. “You have Elly, McLain — then you go to the pitching staff. The pitching staff is young, including the guys in the Minor Leagues. I think it’s something to be excited about for the future. I also feel like we have a great team now. It’s time to win.”
What must be done correctly? The depth of starting pitching must endure.
It will be on the starters to stay healthy and work deeper into games, as well as to keep games within reach, given an offense that isn’t full of thumpers (see below) and a bullpen that doesn’t presently have a closer. Cincinnati utilized 16 different starts last season, including relievers as openers. Martinez was the only member of the original starting five to finish the season without being placed on the injured list.
Hunter Greene, an ace and Opening Day starter, is one of the players that has set a goal of 180 innings and 30 starts for 2025. Positive things are probably going to happen if Greene can do that.
Cincinnati lacked a big offense in 2024 and often struggled to consistently provide run support. Then it did not sign a big bat in the offseason. The Reds did add Lux and Hays to lengthen their lineup, and have a healthy McLain back after he missed all of 2024. But they also lost Tyler Stephenson and Spencer Steer to injuries to open the season. During Cactus League games, the offense was still ranked in the bottom portion of the league. Those games don’t matter, obviously, but Reds pitchers will need more support in the regular season.
Last season, De La Cruz continued to enthrall the league with 25 home runs and a Major League-high 67 thefts. Those two huge blows to his season? 29 mistakes and 218 strikeouts. The Majors were commanded by both.
De La Cruz got almost as many walks (10) as strikeouts (12) throughout camp, which should be encouraging. He frequently hit the ball hard in addition to hitting four home runs. The 23-year-old may potentially be a contender for National League MVP if he can improve on his performance from the previous season and make fewer errors.
Team Cy Young will be … Nick Lodolo
Greene is an obvious choice and Martinez was their best overall pitcher in 2024. But Lodolo — if he stays healthy — could become the Reds’ best starter. The left-hander has one of the game’s best breaking balls and can rack up strikeouts quickly. He’s also shown that he can get on a roll such as the 1.88 ERA he posted in four April starts last year.
There were also four trips to the IL for Lodolo, who made 21 starts last season after he was limited to seven starts in 2023. The good news for him is he’s looked healthy in camp and pitched well.
Bold prediction … Graham Ashcraft will lead the Reds in saves
That’s right. Just moved from the rotation to the bullpen last week, Ashcraft will eventually emerge as the closer and have more saves than Alexis Díaz. His triple-digit stuff and mentality suit him best for the role.
