Which young prospect is the Cincinnati Reds version of Randy Arozarena?

Is Andy Sugilio the Reds version of Randy Arozarena?

Randy Arozarena has broken onto the scene during the 2020 MLB Playoffs. Originally scouted and signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, Arozarena has dominated opposing pitchers during the postseason thus far. Arozarena is hitting .419 through eight games and has four home runs. Is there anyone in the Cincinnati Reds farm system with that type of potential?

Before you immediately answer no, let’s look at Randy Arozarena’s past. The former Cardinals’ prospect was let go by the organization that signed him out of Cuba in 2016. Arozarena was the player who live-streamed St. Louis manager Mike Schildt’s profane-laced postgame celebration after the Cardinals eliminated the Atlanta Braves during last year’s playoffs.

The Rays traded for Arozarena and José Martinez in exchange for Matthew Liberatore, Edgardo Rodriguez, and the Rays’ Competitive Balance Round B Draft Pick. Arozarena sat out the first half of the 2020 season for the Rays after being placed on the injured list and returned to play in 23 games, hitting .281 with seven round-trippers and 11 RBIs.

According to MLB Pipeline, Arozarena was the Rays No. 19 ranked prospect heading into the 2020 season. Arozarena’s profile describes him as an aggressive hitter who profiles as more of a bench player who has the potential to tap into more power and some evaluators view him as an everyday player if everything clicks. I’d say, based on his playoff performance, it’s starting to click.

So, is there a player within the Cincinnati Reds organization that profiles similar to Randy Arozarena? I’d say before we saw him play this season, one could’ve argued that José García was that player. However, García comes in at No. 6 in the Reds system according to MLB Pipeline, and fans expect him to take over at shortstop in the very near future.

It’s hard to pinpoint just one player within the Reds minor league ranks who could turn into the type of player we’re seeing dominate the headlines in the MLB Playoffs.However, outfielder Andy Sugilio could have an Arozarena-type impact on the team in the near future.

Suglilio was signed by the Reds as an International free agent out of the Dominican Republic back in 2013. The Florida State League, where Sugilio spent his his 2019 season, is terribly tough on hitters. According to MiLB.com, the league average was .242. However, Andy Sugilio hit .294/.331/.360 with 19 extra-base hits.

Sugilio also played in the Dominican Winter League last offseason, finding his way onto the field for four games and recorded three hits in seven at-bats. I’d look for the Cincinnati Reds to possibly add Sugilio to the 40-man roster this offseason in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Sugilio has great speed, hits for average and is a solid defender.

While Randy Arozarena is enjoying a breakout campaign for the Tampa Bay Rays, the Cincinnati Reds are sitting at home watching the postseason after being eliminated in two games by the Atlanta Braves. Perhaps promoting Andy Sugilio to the majors next season will light a fire under the other players on the team and help to galvanize a club that fell short of expectations.