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2025 Cincinnati Reds Predictions with World Series Odds and Season Win Total Picks

by Ryan Cobbett - 3/11/2025

Cincinnati Reds predictions Elly De La Cruz

Last season didn’t go as expected for the Cincinnati Reds, who have seen a lot of young talent take over their roster recently. They finished with a 77-85 record, which put them fourth in the NL Central standings. They were just 15-28 in one-run games, which led to them finishing five games worse than their expected record of 82-80. The Reds finished 16 games out of first place in the division and 12 games behind the final wild card spot. Despite finishing the season eight games under .500, they had a +5-run differential on the season.

Elly De La Cruz dominated last season, leading the Reds with a 5.2 WAR. He finished with a team best .809 OPS, 25 homeruns, 105 runs, 160 hits, 10 triples, 36 doubles, and 67 stolen bases. His 67 stolen bases were good enough to lead the league, while he finished in the Top Five in triples and Top 15 in WAR. Catcher Tyler Stephenson finished second on the team with a 2.4 WAR, and he hit 19 homeruns and recorded 66 RBIs across 138 games. Spencer Steer and Jeimer Candelario joined De La Cruz as the only other Reds players to reach the 20-homerun mark. Steer led the team with 92 RBIs, and he finished second on the team with 25 stolen bases. As a team, the Reds finished 16th in runs, 19th in homeruns, 21st in OPS, and third in stolen bases.

The Reds pitching staff ranked 18th in ERA, 16th in WHIP, and they gave up the seventh most homeruns in the league last season. Hunter Greene was by far the best pitcher for the Reds. He led the way with a 6.3 WAR, as he posted a 2.75 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and he struck out 169 batters over 150.1 innings. Nick Martinez did it all for the Reds, as he appeared in 42 games, making 16 starts, and he finished with a 3.10 ERA and a 4.0 WAR. Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo both finished with 115 innings or more for Cincinnati. Alexis Diaz recorded 28 saves for the Reds, but he finished the season with a 3.99 ERA.

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Cincinnati Reds Key Additions/Losses

After a disappointing season, the Reds saw a lot of players hit the free agent market. Pitchers Justin Wilson, David Buchanan, Buck Farmer, and Jakob Junis, catcher Luke Maile, first baseman Ty France, and utilitymen Nick Martini and Amed Rosario all became free agents. The Reds traded second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Kansas City Royals while also trading reliever Fernando Cruz to the New York Yankees.

With plenty of holes to fill, the Reds got to work by acquiring the likes of Brady Singer, Taylor White, Jose Trevino, and Gavin Lux via trade. Cincinnati also added pitchers Bryan Shaw, Alex Young, Wade Miley, Albert Abreu, Scott Barlow, and Josh Staumont, as well as outfielder Austin Hays via free agency.

Cincinnati Reds Prospect Outlook

After the recent graduation of De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and others, the Reds now have the 13th ranked farm system in the MLB. Their farm system features five prospects listed in the MLB Top 100 Prospects list. Pitchers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder are the top two prospects in the system, with Burns ranking as the 26th overall prospect and Lowder coming in at 35th on the list. Burns has the ability to consistently hit triple digits with his fastball, while his slider is an incredible compliment and perhaps his best pitch. Behind Burns and Lowder is middle infielder Sal Stewart, who is the 83rd ranked prospect in the league. Infielders Cam Collier (90th) and Edwin Arroyo (91st) round out the top prospects in the Reds system.

Cincinnati Reds X-Factors

The 1-2 Punch- A healthy McLain and De La Cruz atop the lineup is scary. Both feature dangerous speed along the base path and both are capable of reaching the 20-homerun mark year in and year out. In order for the Reds to compete, they will need to do just that, as the rest of the lineup is questionable. If De La Cruz can improve his OBP while McLain can stay healthy and reach his 20/20 potential, the Reds will have the most underrated 1-2 punch in the league.

Starting Rotation- The Reds rotation has two established names in Greene and Martinez. Behind them are a slew of starters with high ceilings but potentially low floors. Burns and Lowder should get some exposure this season, while Lodolo has budding potential if he can stay healthy. Singer alone could prove to be an important X-Factor that could swing the momentum for the Reds as he showcases a career 4.28 ERA but is coming off a season where he set career high marks in innings pitched, starts, and strikeouts. At their best, the Reds rotation can be the poor man’s Seattle Mariners rotation. Lots of young talent with flashy stuff, but at their low it could be rather disastrous.

Cincinnati Reds Expectations

The expectations for the Reds are to continue to build around their young core. Between De La Cruz, McLain, and Steer in the lineup combined with Greene, Lodolo, and the up-and-coming Andrew Abbott, Burns, and Lowder, the pieces are in place for the Reds foundation. They will continue to wait for their guys to develop and then make some big splashes when they are ready for a run. This team has playoff potential and should not be overlooked, but they are likely a year or so away from truly being in the mix. Look for the Reds to see how the first half of the season goes. Anything less than near perfection and the Reds will look at sending away some of their veterans for future capital.

Cincinnati Reds Notable Odds:

Win Total: 78.5

World Series Champions- +7000

Pennant Winners- +3300

Division Winners- +490

NL MVP- Elly De La Cruz +2000

NL MVP- Matt McLain +12000

NL Cy Young- Hunter Greene +2000

NL Cy Young- Nick Lodolo +9000

NL Rookie of the Year- Rhett Lowder +3000

2025 Cincinnati Reds Predictions

Lowder to win the NL Rookie of the Year deserves some couch change. He is stuck behind Sasaki at his position as well as Crews and others, and because of that he is getting some juiced odds. However, he has the ceiling to be an All-Star in this league, and he could surprise everyone and steal the award. As for any team future, the Reds are in a wait and see phase. Their rebuilding is nearly complete, but there is no guarantee whether they are buyers or sellers at the deadline. I do expect them to get closer to the .500 mark and even finish with a winning record, making the over 78.5 wins a good choice. However, they are still a few steps behind the Cubs within the NL Central.

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