Reds relying on familiar face amid depleted infield depth

The Cincinnati Reds were expected to enter the 2024 season with an abundance of middle infielders, including shortstop/third baseman Elly De La Cruz, shortstop/second baseman Matt McLain and shortstop/third baseman Noelvi Marte.

But with McLain needing shoulder surgery that could cost him the 2024 season and Marte being handed an 80-game suspension, the Reds are relying on second baseman Jonathan India to fill that void after looking like the odd man out. India was named 2021 Rookie of the Year.

India has responded with a great spring, slashing .393/.485/.607 with two home runs, two RBI and two stolen bases in 10 games played.

A member of the Reds for all of his three-year career, India has had trouble replicating his production in 2021 when he slashed .269/.376/.459 with 57 extra-base hits, 69 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 150 games.

Over the past two seasons, he has slashed .246/.333/.394 with 68 extra-base hits, 102 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 222 games played. 

While the production is solid, the Reds need India to revert back to his 2021 form.

Playing in one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in Great American Ball Park, the 27-year-old second baseman will look to re-emerge as one of the top second basemen in the National League after hearing his name come up in trade rumors this offseason. 

Replacing McLain will not be an easy task. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last season, playing in 89 games and slashing .290/.357/.507 with 43 extra-base hits, 50 RBI and 14 stolen bases while the Reds fell only two games short of their first playoff appearance since 2020. 

Marte enters 2024 as the Reds' top prospect and the 21st-best prospect in all of baseball after getting a small taste of the majors in 2023, but after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid Boldenone he will miss a significant amount of time.

The Reds brought in some outside help in a recent trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, acquiring 2022 All-Star utilityman Santiago Espinal in exchange for a minor-league pitcher. 

The 29-year-old figures to get plenty of playing time for his new team thanks to his ability to play multiple infield positions, but India should get a bulk of the playing time at second base if he produces. 

In a wide-open NL Central division, the Reds will need all hands on deck if they plan to make a run at the postseason in 2024.