Cincinnati Reds: 5 prospects ready to make a big leap in 2019

A lot of names in the Cincinnati Reds farm system have surfaced over the offseason in trade rumors. However, it appears that the team is content to hang onto most of their young talent. Which 5 prospects appear ready to make a big leap in 2019?

The Cincinnati Reds have a very highly-ranked farm system, No. 7 in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline. Some names you know, like No. 6 overall prospect Nick Senzel, while others might not be as familiar. Though several of the Reds prospects have popped up in trade rumors over the winter, the team appears content, for the most part, to keep their young talent.

The Reds did send Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs to the Los Angeles Dodgers back in December in exchange for Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood. Oh yeah, they were also able to package Homer Bailey in that deal as well. But otherwise, Cincinnati has yet to move any other talented young prospects.

While most people expect Nick Senzel to make his Major League debut this coming season, Senzel was not an overnight sensation. Senzel spent the 2016 in Rookie Ball with the Billings Mustangs and make it up to A-Ball with the Dayton Dragons that season. In 2017, he spent half the season with the Daytona Tortugas before promoting to Double-A Pensacola to finish the season.

Last season, Senzel started the season in Triple-A Louisville, and if it weren’t for a season-ending injury, we’d have likely seen Senzel with the Reds in September if not sooner. Which 5 Reds prospects could see a similar assent through the Minor Leagues this coming season? Let’s take a look.

5. Jose Siri, Outfielder

Jose Siri split his 2018 season between Advanced-A Daytona and Double-A Pensacola. At both stops Siri showed great speed in the field and on the base paths, as well as power at the plate. If the No. 15 rated prospect in the Reds Pipeline can improve his contact, Siri may make his Major League debut this season.

Siri started the 2018 season with an injured thumb after crashing into the center field wall during a spring game. When returned to Daytona, he picked where left off in 2017. That season saw him slash .293/.431/.530 while knocking 24 homers out of the ballpark.

Siri still lacks plate discipline and didn’t hit for average after being promoted to Pensacola last year. However, his power didn’t go away, as Siri smacked 12 homers for the Blue Wahoos in 66 games. His 24 walks helped him maintain a .300 on-base percentage while hitting only .229.

Siri possesses all the physical tools to become a solid Major League outfielder, and his plus-speed will always be a positive and should help him to remain a centerfield prospect for the future. Siri is likely to start the season at either Double-A Chattanooga or Triple-A Louisville, and may have shot to make the big leagues next season.