MLB.com released their first Power Rankings for the 2023 season, and if you are thinking that it’s still too early for that, you’re correct. There are still difference makers out there on the free agent market that will alter the rankings.
With that said, when it comes to the Cincinnati Reds, well it’s not likely they’re going to be making any moves between now and the start of the season that is going to change the opinion on the team. Alyson Footer penned the digital article, but she wasn’t the only one voting on the rankings for MLB. The group placed the Reds 25th on the list. They are ahead of the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, and Oakland Athletics.
After finishing 62-100 in 2022 the Reds team is quite different than it was for much of the season. Trade deadline moves saw the team move quality players like Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Brandon Drury, Tyler Naquin, and Tommy Pham, as well as moving Kyle Farmer after the season ended. The moves this offseason to bring in players has seen the add Kevin Newman, Luke Maile, Curt Casali, and Wil Myers.
On paper, the team isn’t good. They’ve got real questions about the back end of their rotation, rotation depth, most of the bullpen, most of the outfield, and much of the infield. If you squint hard enough and see where everything goes right, the infield isn’t bad because Joey Votto’s healthy and productive, Tyler Stephenson is healthy and plays a full year, Jonathan India is more like he was in 2021, the three second-year starters remain healthy and take a step forward, and the three injured relievers (Tejay Antone, Lucas Sims, and Tony Santillan) all return to form you can see a solid team taking the field in Great American Ball Park in 2023. It’s rare that every single thing tends to go right, though. And that seems to be the situation the Reds are in if there’s a chance that the team could find a way to finish over .500.
