Reds 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Cincinnati Reds predictions? The Cincinnati Reds have had a losing season for the last four years and have been in last place for the last three years. It’ll be an uphill battle, but the the Reds will look to buck that rend and improve in 2018.
MLB Reds Predictions & Handicapping Insight
2018 MLB Team Previews – Cincinnati Reds
- National League Central +3000
- National League +10000
- World Series +20000
Key Additions:
- Micah Johnson
In late October they claimed Micah Johnson on waivers. This was basically their only offseason signing.
Key Losses:
- Kyle Crockett
On December first they didn’t tender the contract of Kyle Crockett.
Reds Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- CF Billy Hamilton
- SS Jose Peraza
- 1B Joey Votto
- 3B Eugenio Suarez
- 2B Scooter Gennett
- RF Scott Schebler
- LF Adam Duvall
- C Tucker Barnhart
The anchor in this lineup is Joey Votto. In fact, Votto is worth coming to see as one of the best players in all of baseball. Other than that, it gets pretty dicey.
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Hamilton is an effective player when he gets on, but it’s few and far between. Peraza is basically Hamilton with lesser speed, but a bit more of an effective bat.
Schebler provides a nice power bat in the outfield; Gennett and Suarez were able to bring some pop and we’ll see if they can carry that over this coming year.
Rounding out the lineup is Tucker Barnhart who won’t be asked to hit. He’s in the because of his defense. A great glove and arm behind the plate. In fact, Barnhart is the reigning gold glove catcher in the National League.
Reds Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RH Anthony DeScalfani
- RH Homer Bailey
- LH Brandon Finnegan
- RH Luis Castillo
- RH Sal Romero
This isn’t a very good rotation. However, if you want to look at the bright side, the Reds do have some young prospects that will be pushing and competing to join the rotation.
Tyler Mahle got his feet wet last year starting four games last year; Robert Stephenson – former first round pick – has started in 19 games in the last two seasons. Amir Garrett will have the opportunity to rejoin the rotation and Cody Reed will get that same opportunity, as well.
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These are just some of the young, up-and-coming pitchers who may not be in the rotation opening day, but with the long, grueling season injuries will happen and they’ll get their starts some time down the line.
In fact, the Reds projected top three starters have seen plenty of time on the disabled list. Anthony DeScalfani is coming off Tommy John surgery, Homer Bailey has only started eighteen games since 2014, and Brandon Finnegan is coming off shoulder surgeries.
Reds Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Raisel Iglesias
The entire Cincinnati Reds bullpen is up in the air, but at least they have a lock down closer in the ninth who can get you more than three outs if need be, as well.
Iglesias is one of the better closers in the MLB and he would get more recognition if he played in a bigger market and on a better team.
2018 Cincinnati Reds Prediction:
The Cincinnati Reds are in their rebuilding stage and I wouldn’t expect much progress this year. The Reds have won 64, 68, and 68 the last three seasons and I would expect the same ballpark of wins this year.
Basically, this is the same team they fielded last year and I suppose if you’re feeling optimistic the starting rotation stays healthy. Finnegan has nasty stuff and if he stays healthy he could have a good season.
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Bailey could potentially get back to being an average pitcher. Why the Reds gave him that massive deal is beyond me, but they did and they have payed the price.
DeScalfani turned in a quality 2016 year and maybe he won’t miss a beat coming off surgery.
Votto will have to continue being a force at the plate and the others in the lineup have to step up their game. It would be nice to see Hamilton actually have an OBP of over .300 something he has only done once in his career.
This is all speaking hypothetically from an optimistic point of view and even if all this happens maybe the Reds will break .500. All in all, it’s a safe assumption that the Reds will be battling the Pittsburgh Pirates for last place in the division.
What do you think of our 2018 Cincinnati Reds predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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