Here are the Reds' 2023 Top 30 prospects
Jonathan Mayo
@JonathanMayoWhen your top two prospects graduate to the big leagues, it has to be a nice feeling to have an elite-level guy to take over that top spot.
That’s exactly what’s happened with the Reds and their talent-laden farm system. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, the two pitchers who stood atop the team’s Top 30 a year ago, are no longer prospects and are expected to be mainstays in the big league rotation. But this year’s list is headed by one of the most exciting prospects in all of baseball, infielder Elly De La Cruz. He and his five tools are not that far away from making a huge impact in Cincinnati.
Two things stand out about the makeup of this year’s Top 30. The first is how the talent has been acquired. While no one in the front office wanted to see them do poorly in 2022, they recognized the situation and got a strong return for Luis Castillo, bringing in three top 30 prospects led by No. 2 Noelvi Marte and No. 3 Edwin Arroyo. The Tyler Mahle trade brought in two of the new top 10, including probable Opening Day third baseman Spencer Steer and even the Brandon Drury trade netted them a high-upside, albeit far away, prospect in Victor Acosta.
And that’s just from last year’s Deadline period. There are nine members of the Top 30 who came to the Reds via trade, one more than original international signs, still a high number for an organization that prides itself on being active on the international amateur market.
The other characteristic of the list is dirt, meaning how many of the Top 30 play on it. The entire top five and eight of the top 10 are all infielders and there are nine players who list shortstop as their primary position. Some of that is already shifting, with players moving to new spots and adding versatility. It’s going to make for some interesting personnel decisions down the road, but ask any front office executive and each one would undoubtedly say it’s a good problem to have.
Here’s a look at the Reds' top prospects:
1. Elly De La Cruz, 3B/SS (MLB No. 10)
2. Noelvi Marte, SS/3B (MLB No. 29)
3. Edwin Arroyo, SS (MLB No. 44)
4. Cam Collier, 3B (MLB No. 69)
5. Spencer Steer, INF
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2021 preseason list to the 2022 preseason list.
Jump: Carlos Jorge, 2B (2022: NR | 2023: 16)
Signed for $495,000 in January of 2021, Jorge hit extremely well in his pro debut that summer in the Dominican Summer League. He followed it up with a solid showing in his United States debut, displaying an advanced approach and some pop with a future profile as an offensive-minded second baseman.
Fall: Tyler Callihan, 2B (2022: 10 | 2023: NR)
Between Tommy John surgery and the pandemic, Callihan played in just 28 games from 2019-2021. There are still things to like about his left-handed swing and after shaking the rust off in 2022, he could climb right back on the list this season, assuming health.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Cam Collier
Power: 60 -- Elly De La Cruz (Noelvi Marte)
Run: 70 -- Elly De La Cruz
Arm: 70 -- Logan Tanner
Defense: 60 -- Edwin Arroyo (Mike Siani, Alfred Duno, Jose Torres)
Fastball: 65 -- Ricky Karcher
Curveball: 55 -- Brandon Williamson (Andrew Abbott, Bryce Hubbart)
Slider: 60 -- Chase Petty
Changeup: 50 -- Levi Stoudt (Chase Petty, Brandon Williamson, Connor Phillips, Bryce Hubbart)
Control: 50 -- Bryce Hubbart (Chase Petty, Andrew Abbott, Levi Stoudt)
How they were built
Draft: 13 | International: 8 | Trade: 9
Breakdown by ETA
2023: 8 | 2024: 7 | 2025: 12 | 2026: 2 | 2027: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 3 | 3B: 4 | SS: 9 | OF: 6 | RHP: 5 | LHP: 3