Cincinnati Reds: Three surprise prospects likely among 60-man player pool

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GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: Starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez #76 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

There’s likely to be a few surprises among those chosen for the Reds 60-man player pool.

Today is the day that baseball fans will get to see who their favorite team has selected to be part of Spring Training 2.0. Reds Country knows that highly-touted prospects Tyler Stephenson and José García will likely be among those chosen to be part of Cincinnati’s 60-man player pool, but who are a few lesser-known prospects who may make the cut as well?

The coronavirus pandemic interrupted spring training back in March, and the Cincinnati Reds, along with every other major league club had to vacate their spring training facilities. Despite the bickering between players and owners over the past few weeks, baseball is set to begin next month.

In this odd and unprecedented season of baseball, there’s been a few rule changes. One that will undoubtedly be an important aspect of the 2020 season is the taxi squad. The taxi squad will consist of 20 players who’ll be waiting in the wings in the event that a particular player is unable to suit up. Think of it like the NFL’s practice squad.

With minor league baseball likely cancelled for the 2020 season, teams may have to get creative with their taxi squad in order to give valuable reps to certain prospects. We mentioned earlier that the likes of Stephenson and Garcia will likely find their way into the 60-man player pool, but who are a few surprise names we may or may not know.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 19: Alfredo Rodriguez #69 poses during Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

1. Reds shortstop prospect Alfredo Rodriguez

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t had a top-level shortstop since the days of Barry Larkin. The Hall of Famer left the game in 2004, and since then the Reds have been searching for a “shortstop of the future”. Zack Cozart is the closest the Reds have come to filling the void left by Larkin. Alfredo Rodriguez definitely has defensive skills to play the position.

Many fans have directed their attention toward José García, and rightfully so. The young shortstop prospect opened the eyes of Reds Country back in March, going yard four times and racking up seven RBIs. However, before we’re ready to crown García as the heir apparent at shortstop, fans need to be mindful that he’s never played above Advanced-A ball.

On the contrary, Rodriguez was given a $7M signing bonus back in 2016. While the offensive aspect of his game has been slow to develop, Rodriguez may be the Reds best defensive option throughout the entire organization. Rodriguez has a plus-arm and plus-defense to go along with average speed.

Alfredo Rodriguez doesn’t offer the power that García does, but did how an uptick in his hitting last season and during spring training earlier this year. While playing in the Dominican Winter League, Rodriguez hit .309 with a .351 on-base percentage. While playing 14 games in Goodyear, the 26-year-old hit .364/.364/.606 with two home runs and four RBIs.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 19: Jonathan India #85 poses during Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Reds top infield prospect Jonathan India

It may be a stretch to call Jonathan India a lesser-known prospect, as the 23-year-old was the Cincinnati Reds first-round pick back in 2018. However, his production in the minor leagues has not been one to write home about, and India needs more seasoning if he’s going to be a contributor at the next level. India needs to be on the Reds taxi squad.

The Reds are set at third base, the primary position India plays. Not only does Cincinnati have former All-Star Eugenio Suárez at the hot corner for the foreseeable future, the Reds signed former World Series champion Mike Moustakas this past winter. Moustakas is set to take over at second base for the departed Scooter Gennett.

India needs reps. The former Florida Gator put up great numbers (.310/.411/.531) while playing in the SEC from 2016-2018, but has failed to produce since becoming a professional (.254/.369/.410). Add to that India’s miserable showing during the Arizona Fall League (.133/.254/.333), and it becomes obvious that Jonathan India needs more time to develop.

What better way to do that than to surround him with elite-level ball players? Including India in the 60-man player pool and eventually among those on the 20-man taxi squad will help with his development. India is rated as the Reds No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but Cincinnati’s No. 5 pick from the 2018 draft needs to up his game before he receives a call-up to the bigs.

3. Reds right-handed pitching prospect Vladimir Gutiérrez

The 2020 season is a perfect time for the Cincinnati Reds to see what they have in Vladimir Gutiérrez. The Reds signed Gutiérrez as an International prospect back in 2016, and following a terrific season in Double-A back in 2018, the right-hander had major setbacks in 2019. Gutiérrez could be nice relief option should the Reds need help in the bullpen.

Gutiérrez has been a starter since his minor-league career began back in 2017. The right-hander struck out 95 batters over 103 innings for Advanced-A Daytona and owned a 4.46 ERA. The following season was Gutiérrez’s best, as at age 22 the right-hander put up a 23.2% strikeout-rate according to FanGraphs.

However, last season is one that Gutiérrez would like to forget. While earning 27 starts for Triple-A Louisville, Gutiérrez put up a 6.04 ERA and a 1.401 WHIP. He also saw his strikeout-rate plummet to 19.2% while his walk-rate rose from 6.1% to 7.9%. Those statistics will get you noticed for all the wrong reasons.

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However, Vladimir Gutiérrez still has a plus-fastball and plus-changeup with an above-average breaking ball. Fortunately, Gutiérrez’s final month of his minor league season offered a ray of hope, as he finished August with a 3.74 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 33.2 innings pitched. Gutiérrez should be among the 60 players invited to spring training 2.0 and make his way onto the taxi squad.

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