5 Cincinnati Reds That Reds’ Fans Should Watch This Season


1 of 6

Dusty Baker

Number 6
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

With the 2013 season just right around the corner, many fans of teams are looking for players to look out for this season to help carry their team to the Word Series.

There are some teams who may struggle to find even five players to watch, while there are some teams who may have 25 guys that can all play a huge role.

This list is just about the Cincinnati Reds and the top five players that Reds' fans should keep their eye out on throughout the entire season.

The list is composed of fielders and pitchers, who should make an impact on the Reds' season at some point during the season. There are many, many players currently on the Reds’ roster that could have made this list.

When you look down the list of the players that Dusty Baker has on this team, it is very easy to see that there are many possible candidates--however, I wanted to keep it short and sweet because I care for the readers and value their time.

Some of them have big shoes to fill while others are trying to find their way in their young MLB career. Then there are some who have a lot to prove this season given the fact that they have been in the MLB for quite some time.

Of course, this is just a list of people who I think Reds' fans should look out for. There are many, many other players that you can think of and by all means leave a comment below if you feel like I have left someone out.

2 of 6

Joey Votto

Number 5
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

Seriously, who can have a Reds' list and not have Joey Votto at least mentioned somewhere? It's downright foolish not to. The Reds' first baseman was well on his way to have an unbelievable year in 2012 when he was sidelined for sometime with a knee injury. When Votto got healthy (or at least got back to being game ready), it was back to the hitting machine that he is. The biggest thing that Reds' fans should look out for this season is if his knee is healthy. Many reports coming out of spring training say that Votto is back to being Votto again. If this is the case, then look for Votto to have an MVP-type season for the Reds.

3 of 6

Todd Frazier

Number 4
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

Todd Frazier checks in at the number four spot on the list. Frazier is coming off a remarkable rookie season where he hit .273 with 19 homers and drove in 67 (not to mention he saved a dude from choking at a restaurant). Not only did Frazier prove his worthiness to the team, he did it in fine fashion--proving he can play third, first and a little out field if he was called upon. The biggest question for Frazier this year would be can he repeat the stellar rookie season he had, and fill the shoes that Scott Rolen left behind at third base.

4 of 6

Homer Bailey

Number 3
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

Homer Bailey checks in at number three. Bailey has struggled throughout his young pitching career and many fans were ready to throw in the towel on him. But the last few outings Bailey had in the regular season and into the playoffs showed that Bailey is becoming more and more of a pitcher, rather than just a thrower. Many young pitchers struggle with that concept and Bailey showed that he can play a pivotal role in the Reds' rotation when he is called upon.

5 of 6

Shin-Soo Choo

Number 2
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

Shin-Soo Choo makes the list at number two. Many Reds' fans questioned this trade when the Reds traded away Drew Stubbs . The main reason was the fact the Reds gave up a lot of speed at the top of the order and also will lose a couple of steps in the outfield. But in order to get something, you have to give something up. That's what the Reds did. The Reds gave up speed in order to get Choo's ability to get on base. The biggest questions are how long will Dusty Baker continue to try out Choo in center field, before he has no other choice to make a switch, and can Choo play center field well enough to give the Reds a chance in late game situations.

6 of 6

Aroldis Chapman

Number 1
Jake Roth-USATODAY Sports

The number one man to look out for during the Reds' season is none other than Aroldis Chapman. It has been the talk of the town in Cincinnati--how long and how well can Chapman make his case for a spot in the starting rotation. Now, for me, I'm just not a fan of it but I feel like this topic has absolutely been beaten to death. If Chapman does not work out in starting rotation, the Reds really have no other choice but to put him back in the closer's role which creates a whole world of more problems because of an already crowded bullpen. If it does work out for the better, great. If it doesn't, the Reds could be faced with some very tough decisions to make during the season.

Follow Brad Stiene on Twitter, @bs_rant1


Sign Up
for the

We Recommend

Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties