Jeimer Candelario

Candelario had a quiet spring after his rather quiet 2024 season, but he engaged in some timely hitting today. He already has half as many three-RBI games this year as he did last year.

With Spencer Steer (shoulder) still unable to throw and Will Benson sent to Triple-A, it looks like Lux will get the first shot to be the regular left fielder against right-handed pitching and his spot in the middle of the order could make for solid RBI value. That means Jeimer Candelario will also get to be in the starting lineup at third base, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first. The Reds full Opening Day lineup is: TJ Friedl CF, Matt McLain 2B, Elly De La Cruz SS, Gavin Lux LF, Jeimer Candelario 3B, Spencer Steer DH, Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B, Jake Fraley RF, and Jose Trevino C.

WIth Lux hitting left-handed and Candelerio a switch-hitter, it would be Lux getting the starts against right-handers and Candelario against lefties. Candelario would likely get in the lineup against righties at a different position; likely designated hitter. Lux was acquired from the Dodgers this winter, and Cincinnati will give him a chance to live up to his potential this spring.

Sears walked one and struck out three opposing batters in the ballgame. He kept the Reds off the board through the first five innings, but the Reds scratched out a run while chasing him in the sixth. There, Jake Fraley led off with a single, swiped second base and scored on a one-out knock off the bat of Jeimer Candelario. Sears got eight whiffs on 69 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 28 percent. He now boasts a 2.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 11/5 K/BB ratio over 13 1/3 innings through his first four Cactus League starts.

Candelario actually opened the scoring in the ballgame with his RBI single off of JP Sears in the sixth inning. That would wind up being the extent of the Reds' offense in the game though. The switch-hitting 31-year-old infielder is hitting .250 (6-for-24) with a homer and seven RBI thus far in Cactus League action.