Where the Reds' Top 30 prospects are starting season

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Reds’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1. Elly De La Cruz (MLB No. 10), SS -- Injured (left hamstring)
2. Noelvi Marte (MLB No. 29), SS -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
3. Edwin Arroyo (MLB No. 44), SS -- Dayton (High-A)
4. Cam Collier (MLB No. 69), 3B -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
5. Spencer Steer, INF -- Cincinnati (MLB)
6. Matt McLain, SS -- Louisville (Triple-A)
7. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B -- Injured (back)
8. Chase Petty, RHP -- Injured (right elbow)
9. Sal Stewart, 3B -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
10. Brandon Williamson, LHP -- Louisville (Triple-A)
11. Andrew Abbott, LHP -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
12. Connor Phillips, RHP -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
13. Jay Allen II, OF -- Dayton (High-A)
14. Ricarco Cabrera, SS -- Extended spring training
15. Levi Stoudt, RHP -- Louisville (Triple-A)
16. Carlos Jorge, SS -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
17. Victor Acosta, SS -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
18. Rece Hinds, OF -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
19. Logan Tanner, C -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
20. Bryce Hubbart, LHP -- Extended spring training
21. Ariel Almonte, OF -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
22. Austin Hendrick, OF -- Dayton (High-A)
23. Mike Siani, OF -- Louisville (Triple-A)
24. Leonardo Balcazar, SS -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
25. Alfredo Duno, C -- Dominican Summer League
26. Jose Torres, SS -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
27. Hector Rodriguez, OF -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)
28. Daniel Vellojin, C -- Chattanooga (Double-A)
29. Ricky Karcher, RHP -- Louisville (Triple-A)
30. Lyon Richardson, RHP -- Daytona Beach (Single-A)

Team to watch
The easy answer would be “Wherever Elly De La Cruz is,” but with him temporarily sidelined, instead of sending you to Louisville, we’ll tell you to visit Daytona Beach. It’s not just a Spring Break destination: Nine of the Reds’ Top 30 will be there, headlined by 2022 first-round pick Cam Collier.

Teams on MLB.TV and MiLB.TV
Cincinnati Reds
Louisville Bats (Triple-A)
Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
Dayton Dragons (High-A)

Players we could see in MLB in 2023
Let’s let him get 100 percent healthy first, but the fact that De La Cruz is slated to head to Louisville is an exciting sign. The 21-year-old phenom needs some reps, but he’s the proverbial phone call away, and seeing his five tools in Cincy would be exciting. Matt McLain, the club’s 2021 first-rounder, infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand and lefty Brandon Williamson are other members of the top 10 who could get called up.

New faces
Alfredo Duno was No. 4 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects list when the most recent signing period opened this past January. The Reds gave the talented catcher $3.1 million to join the organization. Though he’s big, he’s very athletic behind the dish and there’s a ton of power for him to tap into as a hitter. He’ll begin his professional career later this year in the Dominican Summer League.

On the shelf
De La Cruz has a left hamstring issue that reportedly will keep him off the field until around April 12. Encarnacion-Strand is expected back around a week after that, as he’s dealt with a back issue. Both will play for Louisville when healthy. Chase Petty’s right elbow has the Reds targeting a return to action with Dayton by the end of April.