Reds' farm system strength evident in August

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CINCINNATI -- The Reds have had 16 players make their Major League debuts in 2023, with Connor Phillips being the latest when he started on Tuesday vs. the Mariners. As recently as Aug. 23, the club had 14 rookies on their roster.

Even with a prospect-laden roster competing for a postseason spot, the organization's system is still displaying its talent as the Minor League seasons head into their final month.

Here is a roundup of the player development system:

Triple-A Louisville

The Reds named outfielder Jacob Hurtubise the organization's Player of the Month for August. Hurtubise, who played at West Point for Army, signed a Minor League contract with the Reds in July 2020. He batted .352 with a 1.027 OPS in 24 games last month with three doubles, four triples and 13 stolen bases.

Hurtubise, 25, was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A for the second time this season on Aug. 23. Overall, he is batting .329/.473/.502 in 102 games entering Wednesday.

Double-A Chattanooga

The Reds named right-handed starter Julian Aguiar their August Pitcher of the Month. Aguiar, the organization's No. 21-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, was 3-2 with a 2.65 ERA over six starts and 34 innings for the Lookouts. He walked six and struck out 38 batters.

Aguiar, 22, was the Reds' 12th round pick in 2021. He was promoted to Chattanooga on July 14 and is 8-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 23 starts this season overall.

High-A Dayton

Right-handed starting pitcher Chase Petty, who is ranked as Cincinnati's No. 6 prospect, was promoted to Chattanooga after he had a 1.95 ERA over 16 starts for the Dragons this season. Over his 60 innings, Petty had 14 walks and 61 strikeouts. Petty, who was acquired from the Twins in the March 2022 trade for Sonny Gray, debuted for Chattanooga on Saturday and pitched four scoreless innings with one hit, no walks and one strikeout.

Single-A Daytona

Outfielder Ethan O'Donnell, who was the Reds' sixth-round pick in this year's Draft out of Virginia, hit his first professional home run on Sunday in the Tortugas' 9-4 loss to Dunedin. O'Donnell, who was named the Florida State League Player of the Week on Aug. 28, is batting .375/.452/.578 with 12 RBIs over his 19 games with Daytona entering Wednesday.