Cincinnati Reds: 3 prospects who should be added to the roster

2. TJ Friedl, Reds outfielder

TJ Friedl has been part of the Cincinnati Reds organization for some time now. Ranked the team’s No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Friedl was exposed to the Rule 5 Draft last offseason, but no one took a flyer on the young outfielder. With so many teams looking to cut costs this winter, that may not be the case. If the Reds want to keep Friedl in their system, he needs to be added to the roster.

The 25-year-old Friedl was not drafted, but rather found his way to the Reds organization as an undrafted free agent. In fact, Friedl holds the record for the largest bonus ($732,500) ever doled out to an undrafted free agent. Friedl was a walk-on at the University of Nevada and finished with a .401 batting average during his junior year and nine triples.

Friedl certainly would have began the 2020 minor league season at Double-A Chattanooga with an opportunity to advance to Triple-A. During his two seasons at Double-A, Friedl hit .257/.353/.372 with 21 doubles, seven triples and seven home runs.

Yes, I know the Cincinnati Reds have plethora of outfielders on the team, but if Travis Jankowksi can find a spot, why not TJ Friedl? An injury cost Friedl a majority of his 2019, and while not a power hitter, Friedl gets on base with an above-average glove and plus-speed. Friedl is not an everyday player but would be a solid option as the team’s fourth outfielder.