Cincinnati Reds: Three prospects looking to impress during spring camp

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 24: Hats and gloves of the Cincinnati Reds sit in the dugout between innings of the Reds game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 24, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 24: Hats and gloves of the Cincinnati Reds sit in the dugout between innings of the Reds game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 24, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 01: Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 01: Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

A few of the Cincinnati Reds top prospects will arrive at Goodyear looking for a spot on the Opening Day roster. While a bit unlikely, these three have the best shot.

Most of the Cincinnati Reds roster is set. A few backup and bench roles may be up for grabs during spring training, along with a couple spots in the bullpen. However, an injury to one of the presumed starters or an outstanding showing by a non-roster invitee during camp could thrust an unknown into the spotlight. Is there a young prospect who could make the leap this spring?

The Reds have dealt some of their best prospects to other teams over the past two years. Taylor Trammell, Jeter Down, Josiah Gray and Shed Long are all wearing other jerseys. The Reds top prospect, Hunter Greene, underwent Tommy John surgery last year and missed all of the 2019 season.

However, the Reds still have several talented young players within their minor league system. Former first-round picks Jonathan India and Nick Lodolo will join the Reds in Goodyear this spring. Top five prospect Tony Santillan will be in Goodyear as well. One of the organization’s top young pitchers, Vladimir Gutierrez, as well as outfielder Stuart Fairchild will be in Arizona too.

Though Cincinnati’s Opening Day roster might just need a few tweaks and not a complete overhaul, some of the Reds young prospects will be working hard to impress the coaching staff. Whether they make the Opening Day roster or find themselves called up as the season progresses, a good showing during spring training could elevate these three players.

27 Jun 1998: A general view of the catchers mask for the San Diego Padres sitting on the bench during an interleague game against the Anaheim Angels at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Angels 5-1Mandatory Credit: Todd Wa
27 Jun 1998: A general view of the catchers mask for the San Diego Padres sitting on the bench during an interleague game against the Anaheim Angels at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Angels 5-1Mandatory Credit: Todd Wa /

1. Tyler Stephenson, Catcher

If either Curt Casali or Tucker Barnhart succumb to injury during spring training, you’ll hear a lot of debate about the possibility of Tyler Stephenson breaking camp with the Cincinnati Reds. Though the 23-year-old has yet to play above Double-A, his skillset improved so much from 2018 to 2019 that a lot of scouts foresee Stephenson making the leap to the bigs this coming season.

Stephenson is one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball. While not finding his name among the Top 10 according to MLB Pipeline, a fantastic 2019 minor league season, coupled with a surprising outburst while playing in the Arizona Fall League, has Stephenson perched atop the best prospects within the Reds farm league system.

Injuries have slowed Stephenson’s progression, but a healthy 2019 season showed what the Georgia native was capable of. Stephenson slashed .285/.372/.410 with 44 RBIs. In 13 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs, Stephenson hit .347 with 7 doubles and a .908 OPS. The Reds would love to be able to discover that type of offensive production from the catcher’s position.

It’s highly doubtful that Tyler Stephenson breaks camp with the Reds, especially with Kyle Farmer‘s ability to take reps at the backstop. However, a solid showing this spring would setup Stephenson quite nicely for a run through Triple-A with a possible promotion on the horizon. Don’t be shocked if Stephenson makes his big league debut sometime in 2020.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 22: Detail shot of a bat and glove on the field before the Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins game at SunTrust Park on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 22: Detail shot of a bat and glove on the field before the Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins game at SunTrust Park on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /

2. Jose Garcia, Shortstop

There is a lot of internal hype surrounding shortstop prospect Jose Garcia. It’s time for the 21-year-old to prove if he’s for real. Garcia received a non-roster invite to spring training. His offense finally caught up with is defense season at Advanced-A Daytona last season, and a strong showing during his time in Goodyear could elevate his status within the organization even more.

Currently ranked No. 9 in the Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline, Garcia has always been well-regarded for his glove. Last season at Advanced-A Daytona, Garcia showed that he could produce at the plate as well. Garcia slashed .280/.343/.436 for the Tortugas following a 2018 season at Dayton that saw him put up just a .634 OPS.

Garcia also has speed. While that ability helps the rangy shortstop track down balls up the middle of the infield, he’s also swiped 28 bases thus far in his minor league career. Garcia refined that ability a bit more last season, stealing 15 bags and was only caught twice. Having lost Billy Hamilton and José Peraza the past two seasons, the Reds are hurting for speed on the base paths.

Jose Garcia still has a lot left to accomplish at the minor league level. He’s yet to play an inning in Double-A, but is likely to begin the 2020 season in Chattanooga. Garcias’ projected major league debut is 2021, which may be why the Reds haven’t been exceedingly active in the trade market for such shortstops as Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 26: A baseball sits on the mound before the game pitting the Minnesota Twins against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field on April 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 26: A baseball sits on the mound before the game pitting the Minnesota Twins against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field on April 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

3. Tejay Antone, Right-handed pitcher

Recently added to the 40-man roster, Tejay Antone had some success in the minor leagues last season. A former fifth-round pick, Antone began the 2019 season at Double-A Chattanooga before promoting to Triple-A Louisville after 13 starts for the Lookouts. While Antone isn’t as highly-touted as other pitchers within the organization, he has a lot of talent.

The Cincinnati Reds rotation appears to be set. With the addition of left-handed starter Wade Miley, the Reds have a talented group of starting pitchers ready to take the mound. Cy Young candidates Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray are joined by Trevor Bauer, and Anthony DeSclafani was among the Top 20 in the league in ERA and strikeouts last season.

So why all the hype around Antone when prospects like Packy Naughton, Tony Santillan and Vladimir Gutierrez rank higher in the Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline? It’s pretty simple, none of the aforementioned players have had close to the success that Antone has at the highest minor league level.

Naughton, who was a fantastic starter for Double-A Chattanooga last season, hasn’t made it to Triple-A yet, nor is part of the Reds 40-man roster. Naughton did not receive an invite to spring training either. Santillan struggles at Double-A last season, going 2-8 with a 4.84 ERA in 21 starts. As for Gutierrez, his jump from Double-A to Triple-A was not very smooth.

Next. Reds deal for Seager unlikely after Betts trade

Antone missed all of the 2017 season following Tommy John surgery, but his performance last season helped cement his status as a prospect to keep an eye within the Reds organization. Tejay Antone may not be a household name yet, but strong showing in Triple-A to begin the season may help him warrant a September call-up or a spot start in 2020.

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