How did the Reds' prospects fare this spring?

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- One of the yearly aspects of Reds Spring Training is that many prospects get ample opportunities and exposure in big league camp and Cactus League games.

Several players stood out this spring for various reasons. While speaking with player development director Jeremy Farrell this week, here are a few who stood out:

A player who exceeded expectations: C Michael Trautwein
You don't always have to be a Top 30 prospect or high Draft pick to create buzz, which Trautwein did after his arrival as a non-roster player in big league camp.

“Trautwein stands out. He continues to impress," Farrell said.

Trautwein, a 13th-round pick by the Reds in 2021, was one of the early cuts and was reassigned to Minor League camp on March 7. On March 14, the 24-year-old was invited back to big league camp after veteran Austin Wynns dealt with an injury.

“That, in itself, says a lot," Farrell said. "He built on what he did in the Fall League last year and had a great offseason. He came in great shape and really impressed the Major League staff early on and backed it up with what he did in workouts and on the field.”

Trautwein, who was sent back to Minor League camp on Friday, didn't have great hitting numbers, but he worked with many of the big league pitchers well throughout camp. He is expected to open the season at Triple-A Louisville.

First pro Spring Training: RHP Rhett Lowder

Yes, Lowder had a 12.46 ERA in three Cactus League games. But his one poor performance vs. the Rangers on Wednesday (five earned runs and four hits over 1 1/3 innings) came after he was already sent to Minor League camp on March 7.

Lowder, Cincinnati's No. 2 prospect and No. 34 overall according to MLB Pipeline, was the organization's first-round pick (No. 7 overall) in the 2023 Draft and didn't pitch professionally last summer.

"After basically being shut down last year, everything we were seeing him do were all firsts," Farrell said. "Just seeing how he went out and attacked backfield live BP’s or drills or once he got into a real game and competition. He was poised, polished and everything we had read about. He made an awesome impression and fit in with the group we have here in camp.”

Toughest break: SS Edwin Arroyo

Arroyo, who was also sent out on March 7, was playing in a Cactus League game with the big leaguers on March 13 vs. the Giants. While on first base, he dove back on a pickoff play and injured his left shoulder. It left him unable to play in either of the Reds' Spring Breakout games for prospects.

On Wednesday, Arroyo had surgery to repair a torn labrum and he is expected to miss the 2024 season. He is Cincinnati's No. 3 prospect, and No. 67 overall.

“I think that we will still have the ability to get him at-bats in 2024," Farrell said. "It won’t look like how it was drawn up before camp, especially the way he impressed and held his own in his first Major League camp.”

Arroyo, 20, batted .353 with a .921 OPS in 11 spring games.

“Even talking with him in conversations, he’s grown up and matured," Farrell said. "He has more understanding of who he is as a player and that showed up in Major League camp.”