The Cincinnati Reds farm system is an interesting one. High risk seems to be the calling card of a lot of the players. This ranking has a lot of outfielders who can run and play defense. The flip side to that is that the group is still looking for the final pieces of its offensive puzzle. I would describe this system as top-heavy. After a certain point, it really felt like these guys could all be interchangeable as far as where I put them. The Reds have been spending money at the MLB level in recent years, so the fact that they have a lot of guys who could be complementary pieces waiting in the farm plays into what they are doing.
Note: These Top 50 lists are all done through a fantasy baseball-focused lens. Many players who are ranked higher or lower on other platforms will get a boost here. For example, players who profile as middle relievers or glove-first infielders likely won’t have much fantasy relevance, so they won’t be ranked as high.
1. Hunter Greene, RHP
Age: 20
Highest level: A
Injuries are the limitation on Hunter Greene. If he can stay healthy and come back as strong as he was before the Tommy John surgery, then there is a lot to like. His athleticism and big fastball give the 20-year-old a really solid foundation to work with. The secondary stuff seemed to be on the way before the injury, so if he can pick up where he left off before going under the knife, I’m not sure who in the system has a higher ceiling.
ETA: 2022
2. Jonathan India, 3B
Age: 22
Highest level: AA
OK, maybe Jonathan India might have a higher ceiling. What holds India back is that while he can boast average tools across the board, he doesn’t have one that stands out. Picky, I know. What he does have is the ability to move quickly through the system and be an above-average MLB player. He will be 23 when the 2020 season starts and he was worth 138 wRC+ at Double-A in 2020. India is a really nice floor guy.
ETA: 2021
3. Tyler Stephenson, C
Age: 23
Highest level: AA
Tyler Stephenson brings a power arm and a potential power bat to the table for the Reds. His 6’4″, 225-pound frame is usually good for that kind of power on both sides of the ball. FanGraphs gives his arm a 70 grade. He plays a premium position and is close to debuting, but injuries have not been kind to the talented backstop. Hopefully Stephenson will break the roster in Cincinnati before his 24th birthday in mid-August because he could be a very fun player to watch.
ETA: 2020
4. Jose Garcia, SS
Age: 21
Highest level: A+
It seems like Jose Garcia is gaining more and more of a following as time goes on, and with good reason. Frankly, I’m higher on him than most. His tools are apparent, but he didn’t show much in his 2018 professional debut playing A ball and posting an 81 wRC+. However, after a year adjustment stateside, his numbers improved. His walk rate rose nearly two percentage points to 5.5%, and his strikeout rate dropped over three percentage points to 18.7%. All in all, his wRC+ rose a ton too; he was worth 131 in advanced A ball last season. The tools were never in question, and his stock should continue to rise as he proves he can perform.
ETA: 2022
5. Nick Lodolo, LHP
Age: 21
Highest level: A
Nick Lodolo was a first-rounder, twice. The first time to the Pirates, but he elected to go to college. He emerged in the 2019 draft with three solid pitches and what appears to be a path as a starter. Lodolo’s fastball and breaking ball are ahead of his changeup, but all three will be usable pitches. He totaled 18.1 solid innings in his draft year across a couple of different levels. The biggest knock on the 6’6″ lefty is his consistency on the mound. Either way, he’s could be an innings-eating southpaw for the Reds in a couple of years.
ETA: 2021
6. Tyler Callihan, 3B
Age: 19
Highest level: R
This is a generous ranking for Tyler Callihan, but not one that feels that aggressive. The Reds 2019 third-rounder will turn 20 during the 2020 season, and he is working with a 6’1″, 202-pound frame, swinging from the left side. His calling card his power, but that does not mean his hit tool isn’t there. He hit six homers across both rookie leagues he played in during his draft year, but it will be interesting to see how things go in his first full year. With his power potential, it adds to his value in fantasy formats.
ETA: 2022
7. Tony Santillan, RHP
Age: 22
Highest level: AA
It’s hard to look at Tony Santillan and not like what you see. His big fastball and wipeout slider are primed for a good future. He even flashes a changeup good enough to give him a rotation ceiling. As with a lot of power pitchers, his command is going to be a big factor. After walk rates hovering a little about two per nine innings in 2018, things were looking good. After ending that season in Double-A, that is where Santillan spent all of 2019, and his walk rate jumped back up to near five. If he can rein things in, then he could be a back-end guy. If not, he might be destined for the bullpen.
ETA: 2020
8. Michael Siani, OF
Age: 20
Highest level: A
The Reds took this lefty in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, but he was better than a fourth round talent. Michael Siani has a ways to go in development, but came into the draft fairly ahead of the curve. His biggest fantasy asset will be his speed, so getting on base will be important. He’s a plus runner who stole 45 bases in 2019, but don’t let that fool you on what his hitting ability could be. That bat will be something to watch in development, but his glove and speed will play. He was worth 100 wRC+ in A ball.
ETA: 2022
9. Jameson Hannah, OF
Age: 22
Highest level: A+
Another outfielder and another lefty for the Reds in Jameson Hannah. Acquired in the Tanner Roark trade, Hannah is a college bat that seems to do nothing but hit. He’s played only 18 games in the Reds system since the trade. It wasn’t the greatest intro to his new organization, totaling 92 wRC+ in those 78 plate appearances, but his 101 wRC+ at the same level in the Athletics organization say good things are on the horizon. He’s another speed and defense guy whose hit tool has a chance to play well as he develops.
ETA: 2022
10. Rece Hinds, 3B
Age: 19
Highest level: R
Yet another prospect who I am a little higher on that most it seems. In this dynasty ranking I am more prone to see massive power and give that a little more weight in these decisions. Rece Hinds is a very big human at 6’4″ and 215 pounds at 19 years old. His raw power is evident when you see him, and if you don’t believe me, FanGraphs grades him at 70 raw power. Maybe it is the mystery that entices me, but Hinds only got 10 plate appearances in his draft year. If he can hone in on that power from the right side of the plate, he can be a huge factor. As usual with big power prospects, it’s an extremely risky play.
ETA: 2024
11. Lyon Richardson, RHP
Age: 19
Highest level: A
In his first full season since being a 2018 draftee, Lyon Richardson looked pretty solid. His ERA was a little over four, but his FIP read 3.76 and he wasn’t walking many guys. If he can keep attacking like that, then he will be able to use his command to eat innings. What the Reds are hoping for is a resurgence of a fastball that touched 97 before the draft. A return of velocity along with a couple other decent pitches puts Richardson in a spot to be a solid No. 5 starter, or a high-octane relief option.
ETA: 2023
12. Jose Siri, OF
Age: 24
Highest level: AAA
The pure tools of Jose Siri are nothing short of scintillating, at least the could be. His defense plays right now, but his offense just isn’t there. The talented 24-year-old is a plus runner with an honest chance at average-to-plus tools across the board. So what’s holding him back? Probably his strikeout rate sitting over 30 percent. He gave a snapshot of how good he can be in 2017, hitting 24 homers and stealing 46 bases in Single-A, but that seems to be one brief glimpse that he hasn’t recaptured. Siri could be a very fun player, but he will turn 25 in 2020 and it’s still risky. Though the reward is certainly enticing.
ETA: 2020
13. TJ Friedl, OF
Age: 24
Highest level: AA
I don’t want to startle you, but TJ Friedl is a plus runner in the outfield who hits from the left side. Stop me if you’ve heard that before…I guess the Reds have type. The only thing about those wheels is that he needs to tap into them on the basepaths, he has never stolen more than 19 bases in a season. But he walked at over a 10 percent clip in 2019, and struck out under 20 percent while accumulating a 117 wRC+. It’s a long road for Friedl, but he has some talent with some more potential for power, but not a ton. His approach is nice though, and could translate to him finding a starting job somewhere eventually. He is susceptible in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
ETA: late 2020
14. Vladimir Gutierrez, RHP
Age: 24
Highest level: AAA
Vladimir Gutierrez was one of the pitchers snake bitten by the juiced balls this year. He spent the whole year at Triple-A seeing his HR/9 spike from 1.10 in 2018 to 1.71 last season. That is because his fastball isn’t the strongest, despite the mid-90s velocity. So now the good part, his curveball is absolutely ridiculous and I might be understating it. If he can learn to miss more bats, or at least keep the ball in the yard, with the fastball, then his curve and developing changeup can carry him into a rotation spot.
ETA: 2020
15. Ivan Johnson, 2B
Age: 21
Highest level: R
Raw players allow for dreams for optimists like me, and that is what Ivan Johnson represents: Raw talent. He turned 21 after spending 2019 at the rookie level and was worth 104 wRC+. The 2019 fourth-rounder brings bat speed to the table as a switch hitter, but little else right now. As he hones in on his abilities I see a lot of room to grow. He’s got speed and that bat speed could come into play as well. It’s a high risk with probably not as high a reward, but if he turns out to be a second baseman, there is value potential in Johnson.
ETA: 2023
16. Rylan Thomas, 1B
Age: 22
Highest level: R
First base prospect and in the top 20 on an organization list, that usually means big body and power potential. For Rylan Thomas, that’s exactly it. He’s only 5’11” but 245 pounds and full of pop. His 2019 was shortened, receiving only 17 plate appearances. What’s even better is that Thomas was a 26th-rounder in 2018, so his upside just seems more fun. Plate discipline will be the thing to watch, but the power is there.
ETA: 2023
17. Jose De Leon, RHP
Age: 27
Highest level: MLB
Recently acquired from the Rays, Jose De Leon is one of the most interesting names to watch in 2020. He will quickly lose prospect status this season if he can stay healthy, but that health is a big question. De Leon is big league ready and likely will be relegated to a bullpen role where his standout changeup can take over. The injuries took De Leon from arguably a top-50 prospect before injuries in 2017 and Tommy John in 2018.
18. Jacob Heatherly, LHP
Age: 21
Highest level: A
Jacob Heatherly is a very talented individual. He only threw 8.2 innings in 2019 and has yet to surpass 40 innings in a season. Still, he struck out 11.41 per nine innings in 38.2 innings during 2018. The problem is that his BB/9 was also really high at 9.31. The command is an issue, but he’s got the talent to work into a rotation spot. In nothing else, he could find a comfortable role in the Reds bullpen.
ETA: 2022
19. Stuart Fairchild, OF
Age: 23
Highest level: AA
FanGraphs likens Stuart Fairchild to Friedl, and that is pretty solid. However, with this list being fantasy-focused Fairchild drops a little lower because of offensive output. I actually moved Fairchild up quite a bit because he took a step forward in 2019, and he will continue to rise if it continues in 2020. He totaled 179 at-bats in Double-A in 2019 and was worth 142 wRC+, his 10.6 percentage and 12.8 percent strikeout rate weren’t too bad either…though the latter will go back up.
ETA: 2021
20. Cash Case, 2B
Age: 20
Highest level: R
This is an 80-grade name that almost factored into his ranking. The truth is that Cash Case could make a case to be higher on this list. He’s got potential with the bat. The 20-year-old lefty swinger needed hip surgery early on and hasn’t really recovered, though he is getting back to normal. The 2020 season will be an important one for Case. If he keeps his current pace, he will drop on the list; however, his wRC+ has increased every year. (Dad joke warning): I guess we will see how much “Cash” is in his “Case” this season.
ETA: 2023
21. Nick Longhi, 1B/OF
Age: 24
Highest level: AAA
A down year in 2018 has dropped Nick Longhi off of a lot of radars, but he had a solid year at the Triple-A level in 2019. He collected 424 plate appearances with 12 homers and a 101 wRC+. Age is not on Longhi’s side, but he’s close enough to the majors where he could be a factor in 2020 with another step forward.
ETA: 2020
22. Ryan Hendrix, RHP
Age: 24
Highest level: AA
In a world where roles of relievers are questionable at best, Ryan Hendrix is a great beneficiary. The Reds drafted him with a bullpen life in mind because of a lethal breaking ball to complement his mid-90s fastball. Shoulder issues held him to 20 appearances in 2019, 16 of them coming at the Double-A level. He was also just added to the 40-man roster. A healthy Hendrix can rack up strikeouts and weak contact thanks to a beautiful curveball.
ETA: 2020
23. Joel Kuhnel, RHP
Age: 24
Highest level: MLB
This big righty actually debuted in Cincinnati in 2019, hurling 9.2 innings with a 4.25 FIP, 8.38 K/9 and 4.66 BB/9. Joel Kuhnel likely remains in the bullpen, but his triple-digit fastball should be OK with that. His second pitch will be a slider and he can flash a changeup too. There’s still some work to be done, but the velocity certainly plays and he might be worth a look if he solidifies himself in a consistent bullpen role.
24. Ibandel Isabel, 1B
Age: 24
Highest level: AA
This Reds system really feeds my weakness for power prospects. Ibandel Isabel hit 36 homers for the organization after being traded in 2018. He followed that up with 26 bombs in 91 games at the Double-A level in 2019. The worry is that hitting the ball far might be the only thing he brings to the table, which was not dispelled by his 41.6 percent strikeout rate. He’ll need to cut down on those, but the power potential is extremely nice.
ETA: 2021
25. Tejay Antone, RHP
Age: 26
Highest level: AAA
Tejay Antone has more value since being added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He uses a four-pitch mix, so he will likely get some chances to prove himself as a starter. Although his stuff might play better in a bullpen role. That way he can commit more heavily to his fastball/slider combo. If he wants to start, then he will have to take a step forward with his changeup in 2020. Antone is a strike-thrower, for the most part, who can eat innings and has competed in the upper levels of the minors.
ETA: 2020
26. Edwin Yon, OF
Age: 21
Highest level: R
I’m giving some leeway to Edwin Yon here purely based on his build. The 21-year-old outfielder has yet to break Rookie leagues, despite debuting in 2015. That being said, he is listed at 6’5″ and 180 pounds. That kind of size could lead to some nice power potential. Unfortunately that power has not manifested itself yet, and his strikeout rate is sky-high. If his hit tool develops or his power develops, he will continue to get looks, but his time may be running short.
ETA: 2023
27. James Marinan, RHP
Age: 21
Highest level: A
Like so many other pitchers, James Marinan needs consistency in order to become a relevant name. He has a big fastball that he will rely on as a future bullpen option, and he pairs that with a breaking ball or a changeup. He’s shown some feel for both. Early on his career he is looking like a guy whose walk rate will live above three per nine. His strikeout rate is concerning though. It was around eight for the last couple of years, but in 2019 it dropped all the way to 5.45 K/9 at the Class A level. Those numbers will be something to watch in 2020.
ETA: 2023
28. Danny Lantigua, OF
Age: 20
Highest level: R
There are some things that people like about Danny Lantigua, namely his power potential and the fact that he is a switch hitter. That power showed itself a little bit in 2018 where he posted a .244 ISO in 215 plate appearances. Though Lantigua took a step back in 2019, posting an ISO of .128 in 206 plate appearances. Not to mention a 3.4 percent walk rate and a 47.1 percent strikeout rate, both of which are outliers in his three years of work. Lantigua is a keep an eye on and proceed with caution type guy. The power numbers keep it interesting, but there is a lot of work to be done.
ETA: 2023
29. Debby Santana, 3B
Age: 19
Highest level: R
I don’t know a ton about Debby Santana, but I know enough to know I want to learn more. He’s got some pop in his bat and some holes in his swing. Scouts say there are also some holes in his glove. That being said, he will turn 20 in August and was worth 99 wRC+ in 2019, which could earn him a promotion to the full season league for 2020.
ETA: 2024
30. Keury Mella, RHP
Age: 26
Highest level: MLB
It really seems like Keury Mella shouldn’t have prospect status anymore, but he does. He’s also got a fastball and slider that work well enough to make him a potential middle relief guy. He’s not on this list for that; however, he is on this list to be in the rotation. If the pieces fall the right way, it wouldn’t be crazy to see Mella in a rotation spot, but more likely he will only be in a spot starter-type role.
31. Alejo Lopez, 2B
Age: 23
Highest level: A+
Alejo Lopez in not a name you’ll see around on lists like this, I wouldn’t think. That is because his ceiling might be as a utility infielder. I put him here because he has proven, at least at the lower levels, that he can put the bat on the ball and I like that. Lopez will turn 24 in May and spent all of 2019 at the Advanced A level slashing .287/.353/.347 with a 113 wRC+. He doesn’t have much pop and he’ll steal around 10 bases a year, but he also walked at a seven percent clip and struck out at a 14.8 percent clip. The latter is inflated based on his career. The ability to make contact is what drove me to put Lopez here, even if his ceiling is as a utility infielder.
ETA: 2022
32. Gavin LaValley, 1B
Age: 24
Highest level: AA
Development has been a slow process for Gavin LaValley, who was a fourth-rounder for the Reds in 2014. He’ll be 25 by the time the season starts and coming off his second full try at Double-A in 2019, where he also played part of the 2017 season. Although it went better than the first. He was worth 116 wRC+ last season. Part of the improvement can be attributed to his increased walk rate that surpassed 10 percent. LaValley still strikes out a lot and his power in games hasn’t shown up. He’s shown improvements each year, and should get a try at Triple-A in 2020.
ETA: 2022
33. Michael Beltre, OF
Age: 24
Highest level: AA
Size and athleticism are the calling card for Michael Beltre and there are some tools that look really good. He’s has some pop and he can play some defense. The thing is that Beltre’s contact is questionable, but not in a way where he can’t make contact. His strikeout rate has hovered around 20 percent, but his ground-ball rate has been in the 50-60 percent range throughout his minor league career. The 24-year-old outfielder is likely to repeat Double-A to start 2020 after posting 88 wRC+ in 268 plate appearances.
ETA: 2021
34. Mac Sceroler, RHP
Age: 24
Highest level: A+
After being a fifth-rounder in 2017, Mac Sceroler has put together some solid seasons. He will turn 25 in April and threw 117 innings in Advanced A ball. The Reds have deployed him mostly as a starter, and he has the build to be, and his 2019 numbers are solid. He had a 9.77 K/9 to go with a 2.33 BB/9 and a 2.76 xFIP in a season that was clearly his biggest workload yet. Sceroler should get to see how he stacks up against Double-A competition in 2020.
ETA: 2022
35. Packy Naughton, LHP
Age: 23
Highest level: AA
The more I dug into Packy Naughton, the more he seemed to drop on this list. For reference, he is ranked 13 on MLB Pipeline’s Reds organization list. He flashes a good changeup as well as an average fastball and slider. MLB Pipeline says he can be a fifth starter, and I think if he reaches that ceiling, then he can add value to a fantasy team. If he works his way into a bullpen role, then he likely won’t be in high leverage enough situations to factor in. His numbers have been solid as a starter though.
ETA: 2021
36. Jared Solomon, RHP
Age: 22
Highest level: A+
A seventh-rounder in 2017, Jared Solomon has worked his way into prospect relevance. He’s got a three-pitch mix with a potential fourth, which means he will have a chance to stay as a starter. That being said, he is still pretty raw. He threw 73.1 innings in Advanced A ball last year with an FIP of 4.18 while striking out 7.98 per nine. Control issues have plagued him to the point where his 4.17 BB/9 in 2019 was actually an improvement. His future role is really up in the air at this point.
ETA: 2022
37. Mariel Bautista, OF
Age: 22
Highest level: A
Here’s another guy who has some tools but is still pretty raw. Mariel Bautista had a massive year in 2016 where he was worth 157 wRC+ in the Pioneer League, which made his name stand out. His numbers and abilities aren’t gone, but there are some adjustments that need to be made if he is going to reach his ceiling. He has plus speed and some power potential, but he needs to develop his hit tool. Admittedly, 37 might be low if Bautista can put it all together. That being said, it’s a long road and a high risk, his floor isn’t great.
ETA: 2022
38. Andy Sugilio, OF
Age: 23
Highest level: A+
A bounce back year in 2019 is exactly what Andy Sugilio needed, and he did pretty well. He’s a lefty-swinging speedster who plays a decent outfield. In 2018 he got his first taste of Class A action and responded by posting a 93 wRC+. Despite that, he was promoted to Advanced A in 2019 where he picked things back up, stealing 23 bases and proving worthy of a 106 wRC+. It will only help him if he adds to his frame, but for now the 23-year-old has a fourth outfielder-type ceiling.
ETA: 2023
39. Quin Cotton, OF
Age: 21
Highest level: R
Another outfielder in this packed system. Quin Cotton is another fourth outfielder-type, but he brings something a little different to the table than Sugilio. Cotton is less of a speed guy, but he has more pop in his bat. He is also prone to move quicker after being drafted out of college in 2019. His pro debut went well, slashing .283/.376/.409 with a 113 wRC+ mark in the Rookie league.
ETA: 2022
40. Bren Spillane, 1B
Age: 23
Highest level: A
A former member of the Fighting Illini, Bren Spillane is every bit of what you can hope for from a guy who is listed at 6’4″ and 223 pounds. He’s got raw power for days. What he doesn’t have, and what is holding him back on this list, is much of a hit tool. He’s struck out in over 40 percent of the time in each of his first two seasons, while only hitting a total of 10 homers. If he can start putting the bat on the ball more, he can jump quickly, especially considering his walk rate has been over 10 percent in both seasons.
ETA: 2023
41. Yan Contreras, SS
Age: 18
Highest level: R
Yan Contreras got his first taste of pro ball in 2019 at age 18. It wasn’t the greatest offensive showing with a high strikeout rate and an ugly slash line of .145/.298/.217. But, 2019 is a new season and he will be another year older. The offense should come around and he has the chance to be a decent hitter. His defense should carry him through the minors and allow him to progress his bat slowly if that’s what is needed.
ETA: 2024
42. Graham Ashcraft, RHP
Age: 21
Highest level: R
Another guy that I don’t know much about is Graham Ashcraft. I do know that he needed Tommy John while still in college, but still wound up being a sixth-rounder for the Reds in 2019. His FanGraphs grades are puzzling. He’s given a potential plus fastball and plus breaking ball, along with an above average slider and an average changeup and command. Granted those are peak values, he’s still given a 35+ FV rating. In his draft year he threw 53.2 innings with a 10.06 K/9 and 3.52 BB/9.
ETA: 2023
43. Chris Okey, C
Age: 24
Highest level: AAA
For a while after being a second-rounder in 2016, Chris Okey had some excitement around his name. That star has faded a bit, but the catching prospect has moved fairly quickly. By the start of 2020, Okey will be 25 and likely seeing time in Triple-A. He very briefly did in 2019, and it didn’t go well. His season in Double-A was much better where he smacked seven homers and racked up a 116 wRC+.
ETA: 2021
44. Wendell Marrero, OF
Age: 19
Highest level: R
This deep into rankings, I’m looking for something to build on. For Wendell Marrero what stuck out was his small sample sized 152 wRC+. The lefty was an 11th-rounder this year, and totaled 120 plate appearances. His strikeout rate was just a few ticks under 30 percent, but his walk rate was at 10 percent exactly. Marrero slashed .324/.425/.490 in his short professional debut. Those numbers certainly have me curious to see what he can do at the age of 19 in 2020.
ETA: 2023
45. Jose Tello, 1B
Age: 21
Highest level: R
Jose Tello has been playing in the Reds system since 2015, but has yet to break Class A ball. That should change in 2020. Still just 21 years old, Tello put together a season where was worth 122 wRC+ in 152 plate appearances at the level he spent the most time at. He also hit a career-high eight homers across both levels he played at. To avoid making any stat line assumptions, I will just say it looks like Tello made some changes in 2019.
ETA: 2023
46. Fidel Castro, OF
Age: 20
Highest level: R
What a name. He’s also not a bad player. Fidel Castro will turn 21 before next season and stands 6’3″ and 175 pounds, per FanGraphs. He’s been fighting his way through the lower levels to get to Class A, and he just might have earned that in 2019. The lefty bat hit seven homers and stole nine bases across two different Rookie levels last season and was worth a wRC+ over 130.
ETA: 2023
47. Miguel Medrano, RHP
Age: 21
Highest level: R
The Reds traded for Miguel Medrano in 2018 and in 2019 he looked solid in the Pioneer League. He posted a 9.85 K/9 with a 2.09 BB/9 and for a 21-year-old who’s only played a couple of season that his good. The longball was an issue at times and his 3.13 ERA looks a little worse next to a 4.29 FIP, but he still had a solid season to build off of moving forward.
ETA: 2022
48. Miguel Hernandez, SS
Age: 20
Highest level: A
Keep in mind that FanGraphs puts Miguel Hernandez among the top 30 prospects in the organization. The reason he sits so low here is because he is offensively not great and I don’t think he will be. He played in Class A in 2019 slashing .245/.284/.337 with five homers and 79 wRC+. His bat to ball skill is decent, but it looks like his weight is really far out on his front foot when he swings and that will hinder him as he climbs the ladder. I would be happy to be wrong, but Hernandez needs to prove it at the plate and he can move up in my mind.
ETA: 2023
49. Hendrik Clementina, C
Age: 22
Highest level: A+
Hendrik Clementina’s value can be summed in two words: Catcher and Power. After hitting 18 homers in Class A in 2018, he followed that up with 14 more in 2019 at the Advanced A level. His strikeout rate is about 25 percent too, which isn’t great, but it’s not the worst on this list. Clementina’s value will be limited by if he can continue to produce homers. He doesn’t hit too much otherwise. Still, a nice power bump from the backstop.
ETA: 2022
50. AJ Bumpass, OF
Age: 23
Highest level: R
The name AJ Bumpass is known in Cincinnati, but not elsewhere. He is a local kid who the Reds took in the 39th round of the 2019 draft. In his draft year he struck out at a 27.3 percent clip, but was worth 119 wRC+ with five homers and four steals across 161 plate appearances. Bumpass could be a hidden gem from the 2019 draft.
ETA: 2023
A big thank you goes to FanGraphs for stats and videos on a lot of these players.
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)