Cincinnati Reds 2016 Fantasy Outlook

Mar 19, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA;Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) follows through during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds 2016 Fantasy Outlook

The Reds are still rebuilding. Brandon Phillips is the next guy ticketed to be shipped out. There is a possibility that Joey Votto or Jay Bruce could be shipped as well. I know….the blasphemy! But this is a business. The Reds will do whatever they can to make their team better for next year and beyond.

Cincinnati Reds 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Devin Mesoraco (.178, 0HR, 2RBI, 1SB in 45AB)
1B: Joey Votto (.314, 29HR, 80RBI, 11SB)
2B: Brandon Phillips (.294, 12HR, 70RBI, 23SB)
SS: Zack Cozart (.258. 9HR, 28RBI)
3B: Eugenio Suarez (.280, 13HR, 48RBI)
LF: Adam Duvall (.219, 5HR, 9RBI in 64AB)
CF: Billy Hamilton (.226, 4HR, 28RBI, 57SB in 412 AB)
RF: Jay Bruce (.226, 26HR, 87RBI, 9SB)

Mesoraco lost most of last year and half of 2014 to injury. Mesoraco’s stock will fall because of the injury issue, but this could make him a huge bargain if you are willing to take a risk. Mesoraco has the power to be a top five catcher.

Votto wont put up MVP type numbers again, but his numbers last year were still very good. He is a notch below elite right now, but Votto is a very safe pick in the second or third round.

Phillips still puts up numbers that make him worth owning in standard leagues, but an impending move away from Great American Ball Park could hamper his stats a little. Probably not enough to shy away from him either.

Cozart can still help in deep leagues, but he doesn’t do much of anything well fantasy-wise. You can pick him up for the occasional hot streak, but other than that, he wont help you.

Suarez may just be keeping the seat warm for Jose Peraza. Of course, his numbers were solid last year, and he could wind up sticking around. If he does, Suarez is worth a look as a bench player, or a starter in leagues of 12 teams or more.

Duvall has good power, but he likely has a short leash. Jesse Winker represents more of the future than Duvall does. Duvall is worth taking a shot on in teams of 12 or more, but don’t be afraid to drop him if he struggles.

Hamilton’s speed is elite, but unless he raises his average, he wont be a big asset in fantasy leagues. The sheer number of steals alone makes him worth a slot in standard leagues. Just be wary of the tax it will take on your average.

If Bruce could figure out how to hit left handers, he would be close to the upper tier of outfielders. He hits for enough power to round out your standard league outfield. If you are hoping for the average to come, it may not. Bruce is nearly done with his prime, so don’t expect a miracle increase in average. He may hit near .250 though.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) throws during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Homer Bailey (0-1, 5.56 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 3 K in 11.1 IP)
Anthony DeSclafani (9-13, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 151K)
Alfredo Simon (13-12, 5.05 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 117K)
Raisel Iglesias (3-7, 4.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 104K in 95.1 IP)
John Lamb (1-5, 5.80 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 58K in 49.2 IP)
Jon Moscot (1-1, 4.63 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 6K in 11.2 IP)
J.J. Hoover (8-2, 2.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 52K in 64.1 IP, 1/7 saves)

Bailey is expected to return to the mound sometime in May. Just be aware that he may not fully be back to normal until after the All Star Break, if at all this year. Even at his best, Bailey is a rotation filler in 12 team leagues, and maybe a spot starter in standard leagues.

DeSclafani had some solid stretches last year, and could again this year. He is worth using as a spot starter in standard leagues and someone to round out your rotation in 12 team leagues.

Simon was brought in to eat innings while the prospects get ready. He really won’t help your fantasy team at all

Iglesias showed some flashes of brilliance last year, and still racks up the strikeouts. He is worth taking in the late rounds of standard drafts just because of his potential. Just bench him against tougher opponents.

Lamb struggled in his first taste of the majors. He is worth keeping an eye on in all leagues just in case he puts it together this year. Same for Moscot. Both of them were highly touted minor league prospects. The light could switch on this year. Be ready to pounce if it does.

Hoover will take over as the closer with Aroldis Chapman gone. He doesn’t strike out a ton of guys and he wont get a whole bunch of opportunities, but he is a solid pick among the lower tier of closers.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker plays for the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Reds this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The Reds are in full rebuild mode. There are plenty! Let’s get started!

Jesse Winker, OF: Winker has been one of the Reds’ best prospects for a while now. He hit .282 with 13 homers and 55 RBI at Pensacola last year. This spring will determine whether he is ready to take over the everyday left field job in Cincinnati just yet. Adam Duvall is not a sure thing. If he struggles, he may not get another chance. Winker should be on every dynasty team, and he is worth stashing on your bench if you have the room. He could be in the majors within a month.

Robert Stephenson, RHP: The Reds’ rotation is a little beat up right now, which could open the door for Stephenson even sooner than expected. The Reds have been adamant about not rushing him, so he will likely begin the season in the minors. If he pitches well at AAA though, he will punch his ticket to Cincinnati early in the season. He should be a target in all dynasty leagues. If you have an open bench slot in leagues of 12 or more, or with extra bench slots, he could be worth stashing for a while.

Jose Peraza, UTIL: Peraza’s ability to play multiple positions will hasten his trip to the majors. He hit just .182 in 22 major league at bats last year, but he did steal three bases. He could be among the elite base stealers when he is in the lineup full time. That will likely happen early in the season. He ultimately projects as the future second baseman once the Reds are able to move Brandon Phillips.

Yorman Rodriguez, OF: Rodriguez was given a huge bonus in 2008, and the Reds have been waiting patiently since. He is still only 23 this year, so they think Rodriguez is finally ready to break out. There isn’t much room in the Cincinnati outfield right now, so that could hamper his ascent. Still, if Rodriguez gets the call and ample playing time, his power potential will make him worth a look in moderate to deep leagues.

Next: Can Alfred Morris Bounce Back?

Stay tuned for the rundown of every MLB team before Opening Day, our daily FanDuel picks, and the round by round picks for the NCAA Tournament!

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