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.

Each week in October, we will be looking back at both the season that just ended and ahead to the offseason. This week, it’s a look at some developments from 2022.

The 62-100 record the Reds just posted this season leaves little space for pats on the back or celebrating. It was a rough year in just about every area of performance -- offense, defense and pitching.

Defining moment
On the heels of several cost-cutting trades that saw several key veterans depart during a shortened Spring Training, the Reds opened the 2022 season with a 3-22 record. That made them one of three clubs in modern Major League history (1988 Orioles, 2003 Tigers) to begin with three or fewer wins over the first 25 games. In the 82 games that followed, Cincinnati went 41-41, but any chance of contending was effectively wiped out.

What we learned
Although the Reds have a long way to go to be competitive again, the club got a good look at some of the players who came back in their numerous trades. After missing most of the first half with injuries, lefty-hitting outfielder Jake Fraley batted .295 with a .903 OPS and 11 home runs in the second half -- mostly against right-handed pitching. Fraley was part of the package that came from the Mariners in the deal for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez.

Infielder Spencer Steer, the organization’s No. 7 prospect, was the only Triple-A prospect among the 11 acquired around midseason, when five more players were moved ahead of the Trade Deadline. Steer, who came from the Twins in the Tyler Mahle trade, showed signs of being a capable right-handed hitter with defensive versatility.

Best development
The arrivals of three prospects in rookies Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft gave the Reds reasons to feel good about their future rotation.

Greene, who routinely reached 101-102 mph with his fastball, had the most ups and downs but showed multiple times he could provide electric outings when he was strong. The left-handed Lodolo overcame an early back injury that cost him two months but demonstrated he could rack up strikeouts with his fastball and a sweeping curveball. Ashcraft, who was called up in May, brought his own triple-digit velocity with his cutter and sinker, induced weak contact and cut down on walks while gaining confidence.

Area for improvement
Just about everywhere. As a team, the Reds ranked near the bottom of MLB in several categories -- namely OPS, baserunning, infield defense and ERA. The club fired five coaches on Thursday with the hopes that having some different voices could help some of the still-developing players.

On the rise
Now the Reds’ No. 1 prospect, shortstop Elly De La Cruz is moving up quickly through the system. In 120 games combined for High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, the 20-year-old Cruz batted .304 with a .945 OPS, 28 homers and 47 stolen bases. With only 47 games above High-A and a high strikeout rate, it’s unlikely that De La Cruz will open 2023 on the big league roster, but he could certainly play his way to a Major League debut sooner rather than later.

Team MVP
It’s an unconventional selection to name a hitter who finished with 14 homers and a .701 OPS as a team MVP. But Kyle Farmer was the indispensable team leader inside the clubhouse and on the field. He led the team in games (145), hits (134) and doubles (25). He also moved off shortstop for Jose Barrero in August and played even better at third base in the season’s final two months.