Breaking Down the Early 26-Man Roster Projection

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Goodyear on Monday, the countdown to March 26 vs. the Red Sox is officially on. For Terry Francona and his staff, the next six weeks are all about one thing: picking the 26 who will run out of the dugout on Opening Day.

Injuries, surprise performances, and late moves can change everything, so this is very much a “first draft” of the 2026 Reds. But based on the current picture, here’s how the roster projects — and why this group looks built to contend.

Catchers (2): Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino

The Reds are rolling back the same catching tandem from last season.

• Tyler StephensonThe longest-tenured Red anchors the group. His familiarity with the pitching staff and presence in the clubhouse matter as much as the bat. For a team ready to win now, stability behind the plate is huge.

• Jose TrevinoOne of the veteran leaders on this club, Trevino brings game-calling, framing, and experience in big spots. On a roster loaded with young talent, having this kind of steady hand at catcher is exactly what you want.

Infielders (4): Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Sal Stewart

This infield mix blends star power, defense, and upside.

• Matt McLain2026 is a big year for McLain. After missing all of 2024 with left shoulder surgery and struggling at the plate in his return, he now has a chance to reset. His defense, baserunning, and makeup already make him a Francona favorite. If the bat comes back, he’s a key piece of this core.

• Elly De La CruzThe headliner. A two-time All-Star who played all 162 games last season, Elly still managed a tale of two halves because of a left quad strain. He launched 18 homers before the break but only 4 after it. With better health and legit lineup protection, the ceiling here is enormous. This is the kind of big bat and star talent you anchor a contending lineup around.

• Ke’Bryan HayesAcquired at the Trade Deadline, Hayes immediately raises the floor of the infield defense. He’s coming off his second Gold Glove in 2025, and that kind of glove at the hot corner is a massive asset when you’re trying to win tight games.

• Sal StewartThe organization’s No. 1 prospect (No. 22 overall in MLB), Stewart is the wild card with real upside. He turned his September callup into a statement, leading the club with five homers that month. At just 22 and able to play third and second, he gives Francona flexibility and another dangerous bat if he sticks.

This is also where you’ll likely see plenty of mixing and matching. The combination of De La Cruz, Hayes, and Stewart gives the Reds a blend of power, defense, and versatility that plays over a full season.

Outfielders (6): TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, JJ Bleday, Dane Myers, Will Benson

Six outfielders looks like one too many on paper, but the roles make it work.

• TJ Friedl – the everyday center fielder. Brings speed, defense, and on-base ability — a key table-setter for the big bats behind him.

• Noelvi Marte – moves full-time to right field after shifting off third base midseason last year. His athleticism and bat play well in the corner, and getting him settled defensively could unlock even more at the plate.

• Spencer Steer – likely your primary left fielder, but really the ultimate utility weapon. Steer can move around the infield as needed, which effectively turns that “extra” outfielder spot into lineup flexibility.

Off the bench:

• JJ Bleday & Will Benson – both corner outfielders and both left-handed bats. On a team with a righty-heavy regular lineup, they give Francona matchup options and legit power from the left side.

• Dane Myers – the true backup center fielder. He can handle all three spots, which is critical insurance behind Friedl.

One more name to watch: Tyler Callihan (Reds’ 2025 No. 19 prospect). He can play both outfield and infield, and a big camp could push him into the mix over one of these backup spots. For a club trying to win now, that kind of positional flexibility is gold.

Designated Hitter (1): Eugenio Suárez

Back in Cincinnati and ready to mash.

Eugenio Suárez returns to the club he starred for from 2015–21, and he’s coming off a monster 2025 in which he slugged 49 home runs. In this projected build, he’s the everyday DH — and the lineup protection Elly De La Cruz badly needed.

Suárez won’t be glued to DH only; he’ll also see time at first base and third when needed. But his main job is clear: be the big bat that makes pitchers pay for pitching around Elly.

Starting Pitchers (5): Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder

If the bats are the headline, the rotation is the backbone.

• Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady SingerThat front four gives Cincinnati a mix of swing-and-miss stuff, handedness balance, and experience. Greene is the flamethrower with ace-level upside, Abbott and Lodolo provide quality left-handed options, and Singer brings another proven big league starter into the fold.

• Rhett LowderCincinnati’s 2025 No. 5 prospect (No. 86 overall on MLB Pipeline) and the key name in the fifth-spot battle. He’s coming off a lost 2025 season (right elbow, forearm, and left oblique injuries), but if he’s healthy, he has the stuff to hold that spot. Even if he doesn’t break camp in the rotation, the Reds will almost certainly need every candidate for that role over the course of the year.

For a team aiming to contend, this group has enough depth and upside to keep them in games and let the offense do its thing.

Relief Pitchers (8): Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips, Chase Burns

The bullpen has essentially been rebuilt — and it looks better on paper.

• Emilio Pagán slots in as the closer, giving the Reds a defined ninth-inning option.

• Tony Santillan & Pierce Johnsonprovide right-handed leverage experience in the middle and late innings.

• Caleb Ferguson & Brock Burke are the upgraded lefty options, giving Francona real matchup weapons from the left side. That’s a notable change from previous versions of this pen.

The real intrigue:

• Graham Ashcraft & Connor Phillips – both have starting backgrounds and bring big stuff, making them valuable multi-inning or bridge options.

• Chase Burns – the “controversial” pick. He’ll be in the thick of the competition for the fifth rotation spot, but this projection has him in a swingman role out of the bullpen. That’s similar to what Nick Martinez did over the last two seasons, and Burns already finished last year in the pen after coming off the injured list.

Using Burns this way could give the Reds a high-octane, multi-inning weapon while also keeping him stretched out enough to slide into the rotation if needed.

Why This 26 Looks Built to Contend

Put it all together, and this projected 26-man roster checks a lot of contender boxes:

• Big bats and star power at the heart of the order with Elly De La Cruz and 49-homer Eugenio Suárez.

• A deep, flexible lineup featuring McLain, Stewart, Hayes, and a six-man outfield group that can be tailored to matchups.

• A rotation with real upside led by Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Singer, and the potential emergence of Lowder.

• A retooled bullpen with stronger lefty options and high-octane arms like Burns and Ashcraft ready to bridge the gap to Pagán.

Spring Training will reshuffle some of these decisions — it always does. But as camp opens, this first-look 26 shows why the 2026 Reds aren’t just interesting.

They’re built to make noise.