Reds add young righty to their farm at Deadline

July 31st, 2024

CINCINNATI -- The Reds made multiple deals over the past two days ahead of Tuesday's Trade Deadline.

But adding organizational depth wasn't a key priority like in past years. The farm system wasn't restocked in the same fashion as the fire sale of 2022, when multiple big names were dealt for prospects.

In 2024, only one young player came back. Here is a look at the newest member of the Reds' farm system.

Ovis Portes, RHP, Single-A Daytona

Pipeline scouting report: Portes is 19 years old and still in only his second professional season after being signed for $25,000 as an international free agent out of St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda in 2022 to become the first professional baseball player ever from that nation. Scouting reports show that the 6-foot-4, 167-pound right-hander throws 95-98 mph and can max at 99 mph. He also has a slider and changeup, but both are inconsistent and works in progress.

Ovis Portes unleashes a pitch against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. (Photo via Joe Dwyer/MiLB.com)

Organizational fit: The Reds were able to add a young arm in return for veteran reliever Lucas Sims, who will be a free agent after the season. Portes, who is heading to Single-A Daytona, was 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 11 games (five starts) split between the Rookie FCL Red Sox and Single-A Salem. In 34 innings, he had 41 strikeouts. Although he wasn't ranked as a Top 30 prospect by MLB Pipeline, he was ranked No. 29 by Baseball America.

ETA: 2027-2028