Go Stanford Cardinal BaseballYoung enough to surprise is an issue and makes you second division if you are talking about one or two starting players. It is not an issue when discussing which guys should be rounding out the bench.
Many are leaving Davidson off the projected bench, but I think he sticks since it is unlikely that the Reds will need more than 14 pitchers. As you also know, I am a huge fan of Matt Davidson and am pumped to see his .268/.344/.461 line against lefties (particularly since there are situations where the other team will be unable to bring in a righty).
VanMeter had a wRC+ of 91 last year and is projected to be around that mark again in 2020. He had a wRC+ of 98 in his 204 PAs vs. righties last year. He played first, second, and third pretty well defensively. He would make the OD roster of most major league teams.
Since the Reds won't have any pitchers hitting in 2020, VanMeter and Davidson can serve as solid bench bats to flip a platoon or pinch hit for Galvis or Barnali let in the game.
Blandino will likely be the backup SS and he was solid there in 60 innings in 2018. He is the guy who the projection systems don't have much to go off of, so they are shooting really low with a wRC+ of 76 - 79. Remember, he had a wRC+ of 114 in 50 2019 major league PAs and had a 105 in 293 AAA PAs. He was around 70 wRC+ in 2018, but that was his first taste of the bigs and only 147 PAs.
Farmer's value, in my opinion is as a third catcher where the Reds can pinch hit for Barnali without potentially going without a catcher on the bench. He also has a very good .266/.316/.413 line against lefties in 117 career PA.
Do these four guys represent the best Reds' bench ever? Probably not, but they do at least one thing well and provide solid depth.