Cincinnati Reds: Outfield depth made Taylor Trammell expendable

Taylor Trammell is headed to the San Diego Padres. The outfield depth in the Cincinnati Reds farm system and in the big leagues made Trammell expendable.

The Cincinnati Reds sent their top prospect, Taylor Trammell, to the San Diego Padres as part of a three-team trade that brought Trevor Bauer to the Queen City. While some fans may hate to lose their top ranked minor league player, the Reds depth in the outfield made Trammell expendable in both the short and long-term.

Trammell spent the entire season in Double-A Chattanooga. The 21-year-old was hitting .236 with a .686 OPS. Trammell had 6 home runs and 34 RBIs for the Lookouts this season. His speed might be his best tool and helped Trammell swipe 17 bags this season.

Trammell was projected to make his Major League debut next season. Even though he’s now in San Diego, that projection is still fairly accurate. Trammell is still raw and has yet to play beyond the Double-A level. He’ll likely head to San Diego’s Double-A affiliate, the Amarillo Sod Poodles (yes, that’s their real name).

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While losing a top prospect is never easy, sometimes it’s necessary to help make the team better. The Reds did that with the addition of Bauer. While Trammell was the No. 1 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization, there are plenty of other players ready to make their impact felt at the big league level and several who are already there.

With Yasiel Puig now in Cleveland, the starting job in right field could go to any number of players. Jesse Winker is quite familiar in the shadows of the sundeck of Great American Ball Park, but Phillip Ervin is quite capable of playing out there as well. Josh VanMeter spent a few games in right field last season for the Louisville Bats, but appears much more comfortable in left field.

Nick Senzel learned a new position over the winter and appears completely comfortable in center field. With Senzel occupying that spot, the Reds have every member of their current outfield under team control through at least the 2023 season. Winker, who has the most service time among the four, isn’t even arbitration eligible until 2021.

In addition to the young, upstart core of outfielders currently on the Reds, the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Louisville has some interesting outfield pieces as well. Aristides Aquino and Brian O’Grady have been mashing all season for the Bats.

Aquino’s 28 home runs are tied with Eugenio Suárez for the most in the Reds organization. O’Grady is not far behind with 26. O’Grady is more of a first baseman, but has seen some time in the outfield this season. Aquino has spent the majority of the season in right field for the Bats. Both could see some time in the big leagues during September or sooner.

Mike Siani, a fourth round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, is now the highest rated outfielder in the Cincinnati Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline. Siani is the real deal and may even be better than Trammell once he reaches the big leagues. Jose Siri is also a very talented outfielder. The 24-year-old is one of the most athletic outfielders in the minor leagues.

The point is, while trading Trammell may be viewed by some to be an overpay, it doesn’t hurt the Reds one bit in their bid for a playoff run this season or next. With the talented outfield under team control for at least the next four seasons, losing Trammell will not effect the long-term outlook either.