Cincinnati Reds: Players Turning Heads Early at Spring Training

While most Cincinnati Reds fans are focused on seeing how some of the team's most notable players are looking during spring training, there have been a couple of players who have quietly turned some heads early on in camp.

The regulars have not been playing in every game early on, so there have been plenty of players getting playing time during games. Some have taken advantage of their opportunity, and others will need to make better use of their time on the field the rest of the spring.

Cincinnati does have a few roster spots up for grabs this spring. That should give some of the under-the-radar players plenty of motivation to be on top of their games. Although there is still plenty of time left in spring training, a good start gives some players an advantage over the competition.

Keep reading to see which players have already made a good impression at this year's camp. 

OF Brennan Boesch

Going into camp, Brennan Boesch knew that he would need to have a strong spring in order to have a legitimate shot of making the Reds' 25-man roster. Well, he's doing everything he can to prove that he deserves a spot on the team's bench.

Boesch was brought in this offseason on a minor league deal. Given that he is not currently on the 40-man roster, he is going to have to clearly outplay the competition in order to "force" the Reds to make room for him on the roster.

So far, the 29-year-old outfielder is showing that he can help the club with his bat.

Boesch has four hits, including two home runs, in his first eight at-bats this spring. He leads the team with five RBI.

It's certainly a small sample size. However, he did hit .332 with 25 home runs, 25 doubles and seven triples in 95 games at Triple-A last season, so there is plenty of pop left in his bat.

Without Chris Heisey, Cincinnati needs someone who can come off the bench and tie the game with one swing of the bat. That's a role that Boesch looks capable of filling.

Again, there's still a long way to go before the Reds have to decide on a roster. There is just less than a month until Opening Day, so Boesch will have to continue to swing the bat well if he wants to be in Cincinnati come April 6. If he continues to produce runs, the team is going to have a hard time not clearing a spot on the 40-man roster for him.

RHP Michael Lorenzen

Robert Stephenson may be the minor league pitcher who gets most of the attention in Cincinnati's system, but Michael Lorenzen may be the young arm who has impressed the most at Reds camp this spring.

According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, Reds manager Bryan Price has been very impressed with what he has seen out of Lorenzen so far this spring, even if the youngster hasn't seen a lot of game action yet. 

Lorenzen has appeared in just one game, allowing three hits in two shutout innings of work this spring. Four of the six outs the 23-year-old right-hander recorded came via the strikeout.

There are spots in both the rotation and the bullpen up for grabs right now. While Lorenzen would certainly be a long shot to make the 25-man roster, a strong spring could put him in the mix to make the Opening Day roster or possibly get called up if the team has to deal with injuries to the pitching staff this season.

As Sheldon noted, Lorenzen does not appear to be a candidate to make the rotation. Price did, however, talk about the possibility of the young right-hander making the bullpen, but that would hinder his development as a starter.

What are the chances that Lorenzen makes the big league team out of camp? Probably not good. Although he has quickly moved up through the system since getting drafted in 2013, he has yet to pitch above Double-A. He could use some experience pitching against better hitters before starting in the majors, and throwing him into the major league bullpen to be used as the long man would not be ideal. 

Even if he is not likely to make the club out of spring, Lorenzen has a chance to show Price what he can do. Getting on the manager's radar is a good start and could eventually lead to a fast path to the majors.

*All stats and videos are via MLB.com.