For those of us who love to track MLB prospects and minor league system rankings two sites stand out above the rest, Baseball America (subscription needed) and MLB Pipeline. Honestly, you can not go wrong with either site. Both sites have the Cincinnati Reds minor league system ranked #5. The Reds future is indeed bright. So why should fans be excited? The talent is undeniable, while the Reds have stockpiled an bunch of middle infielders that will sort itself out. Here is a look at why now is the time to jump on the Reds bandwagon.
For starters the Reds who last season were ranked the #4 prospect pipeline had two pitchers ranked in the teams top 30 graduate to the big leagues, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo and the pipeline only fell one spot. That should tell you something about the organization.
SS-Elly De La Cruz, oh my goodness, what a prospect! The 6′ 5″ switch hitting prospect 5-tool player is to drool over. Hitting is way above average, power is a plus tool, his speed is a plus-plus (you read that correctly.) Despite being 6’5″ and playing a critical position De La Cruz can pick it with the best of them in the field, his arm is elite, his arrival in the Queen City should not take long.
The Reds who are in a rebuild sped up the process a bit last season when they traded pitcher Luis Castillo and received three 30 prospects with No.2 prospect SS/3B- Noelvi Marte and No. 3 SS/2B- Edwin Arroyo being the gems of the trade. In trading pitcher, Tyler Mahle added to the Reds top 10 prospects when they received 3B- Spencer Steer.
The Reds have nine players in the organizations top 30 prospects that have come via trade. That is how you rebuild smartly. The entire top five and eight of the top 10 are all infielders and nine of which list SS as their primary position some of those players are and have been shifted this season with their minor league teams to different positions, regardless it is a good problem to have.
The Cincinnati Reds future is very bright. Just a bit more seasoning is needed but the wait will be worth it.
