Opening Day for Major League Baseball is to be determined as the MLB lockout continues with no end in sight. The first two regular season series have been canceled already and more games could be lost in April.
But that doesn't mean all the teams affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds will be baseball free this spring.
Spring training is actually underway, but it's for minor leaguers. Some of the top prospects in the Reds franchise, players who aren't on the 40-man roster, are in Arizona and preparing for a season.
That means Elly De La Cruz, the star wunderkind shortstop, and Austin Hendrick and Nick Lodolo, former first round draft picks and even talented players learning new positions like Rece Hinds are in camp right now.
No, Joey Votto isn't there. Neither is Jonathan India, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year. But there will be pro baseball seasons starting on time and perhaps Reds fans can get excited about a future that, well, looks a little bleak because of the lockout.
Here's when every minor league season starts and how to watch them.
Why are minor leaguers not part of the MLB lockout?
Players who are not part of 40-man rosters or not signed to a major league contract are not part of the MLBPA, therefore are not locked out.
Are minor league baseball games streamed? Yes, it's MiLB.TV
MiLB.TV is a thing. There are more than 7,000 minor league games and according to the website 90% of the streams are in HD.
However, the streaming service is available on computer desktops and MiLB First Pitch app, but MiLB.TV, unlike MLB.TV, is not available on Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV.
The cost for a subscription in the past has been $12.99 per month or $49.99 for the season.
Daytona, the Reds Low-A affilate, was not part of the MiLB.TV package last season.
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When does the Triple-A Reds affiliate Louisville Bats season begin?
The Bats season begins on April 5 against the St. Paul Saints at 6:35 p.m.
Who is on the Louisville Bats roster?
It's difficult to say considering several members of the Reds' 40-man roster could likely play and even spend large parts of the season in Louisville. Triple-A often acts a holding tank for 40-man roster members not on the 26-man active roster. They won't be on the team if the lockout doesn't end.
However, Nick Lodolo, the Reds first round pick in 2019 and a 6-foot-6-inch left handed pitcher considered the second-best arm in the Reds farm system, ended the 2021 season in Triple-A. Lodolo was expected to compete for the Reds rotation this spring. He should start the season in Triple-A.
Former Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jake Bauers, a non-roster invitee could also be in Triple-A along with other non-roster invitees.
Graham Ashcraft was one of six minor leagues invited to big league camp this season, a camp that hasn't happened. He ended the season with the Double-A Lookouts in 2021, going 7-3 with a 3.36 ERA. The hard-throwing right-hander and 2019 6th round pick hasn't pitched in Triple-A yet, but is expected to be in Louisville this season.
When does the Double-A Reds affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts season begin?
The Lookouts season begins on April 8 at 7 p.m. against the Tennessee Smokies. The first Lookouts home series is April 12 at 7:15 p.m. against Birmingham.
Who is on the Chattanooga Lookouts roster?
Some of the top prospects in baseball who are preparing to make their major league debuts can often be found in Double-A. Last year, Jose Barrero started the season in Double-A and and finished the season with the Reds.
Who could be on the Lookout's Double-A Opening Day roster this year? There is a bit of mystery around who will be in Single-A and who will be in Double-A.
But one player who could be in Double-A is 2021 first round pick Matt McClain. Last season McClain, who played college baseball for UCLA, ended the year with Dayton. In 29 games he batted .273 with three home runs and 17 walks and 19 RBI.
When does the Single-A season start for Reds affiliates?
The Daytona Tortugas (Low-A) and the Dayton Dragons (High-A) are the Reds Single-A affiliates. The Tortugas season begins on April 8 against St. Lucie with a time yet to be determined.
The Dragons' season begins on April 8 against Fort Wayne at 7:05 p.m.
Last season Single-A Daytona finished the year with current top-30 prospects Rece Hinds, Elly De La Cruz, Tyler Callihan and Austin Hendrick on the roster and they are expected to be in Dayton this season.
Another first round pick, one of three, Matheu Nelson played in eight games in Dayton, batting .179.
The other first round pick, Jay Allen, could also start the season in Daytona. The 19-year-old outfielder played in 19 games for the Reds Arizona rookie league in 2021.
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