Five Dumb Predictions for the 2022 Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have changed their Opening Day roster. Only 10 of the 28 players were on the Opening day roster last year. Not a single member of this year’s bullpen was in last years Opening-Day bullpen. Tyler Stephenson, Jonathan India, Jose Barrero, and Nick Senzel are going to play behind Hunter Greene and Nicholas Lodolo.

Nick Lodolo will be the new leader of the Cincinnati Reds' rotation in 2022. He will have to improve his FIP to be able to play in the big leagues. Lodolovki has just 69.0 IP as a professional since the Reds drafted him. He threw just 50.2 IP between AA-AAA last year.

Nick Senzel is a Gold Glove finalist and a good prospect. He was on-pace to do at least the hitting/running aspect of this prediction in 2020 before his mysterious illness/departure during the COVID pandemic. 2021 is gonna be his year. 600 PA should be more than enough for him to cross the two thresholds.

Tyler Stephenson will hit 26 home runs and drive in 99 runs in 2022. He will play 500+ PA. Joey Votto will be a designated hitter.

Joey Votto's OBP over the last three seasons is .364. That's tied for 28th best among 159 MLB players who have logged at least 1000 PA. Vototop's new approach and some new bats will give him more confidence. He'll hit 30+ homeruns again and be a dynamic force in the middle of the lineup.

The Cincinnati Reds will win 83 games this year. They will do it despite selling off some pieces at the deadline and having to shut down some young pitchers prior to the end of the season. Jose Barrero will return and claim 3B as his own.