Cincinnati Reds: Three prospects who might be traded

2. TJ Friedl could be on the Reds shortlist of trade candidates.

TJ Friedl is a well-rounded outfielder who can play multiple positions. But, the Reds don’t have any space now or in the future for additional outfielders. Heck, if Aristides Aquino can’t break into the outfield rotation, it’s doubtful that a player like Friedl has any shot. However, the 25-year-old could certainly offer enough to another team to warrant trading away a reliever.

Friedl is a plus-fielder with plus-speed but doesn’t make great contact, nor does he have plus-power. The Cincinnati Reds left Friedl exposed to last year’s Rule 5 Draft, but there were no takers. If a team is to trade for Friedl, they’d have to protect him from the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, meaning he’d have to occupy a spot on the 40-man roster.

Friedl currently ranks as the Reds No. 22 overall prospect and missed a good portion of last season due to injury. The 5’10”, 180-pound Friedl only saw action in only 65 games before landing on the injured list. Friedl hit just .235, but had an on-base percentage of .347.

TJ Friedl is a solid, yet unspectacular player. The Reds have a few of them in their farm system that offer a bit more potential. Stuart Fairchild, Cincinnati’s No. 11 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is in the same mold, but offers more power and a better hit tool. Friedl is a replaceable piece of the Reds farm system.