Reds: 3 fast-rising minor leaguers who could be trade bait

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Apr 3, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of the 150th Anniversary patch on a Reds’ New Era baseball hat in the dugout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

If the Cincinnati Reds are going to compete for the National League Central Division crown, the team needs some help; specifically some help in the bullpen. In this business, you have to give some to get some, and if Nick Krall and front office want to gain a couple relievers to boost the Cincinnati bullpen, they must be willing to sacrifice some minor league talent.

We all know that Cincinnati is a small-market franchise. Being such, the organization relies heavily on developing talent from within. However, sometimes, the best way to improve one’s big league club is to sell-high on the fast-rising minor league talent.

With the NL Central up for grabs, the Cincinnati faithful would be quite disappointed if the Reds’ front office didn’t at least make some sort of attempt to improve the league’s worst bullpen. Who are some of the team’s rising minor league players that could be used as trade bait in order to land a few major league caliber relievers?

1. Jacob Hurtubise, Reds minor league outfielder

Jacob Hurtubise did not take the typical path to the minor leagues. A graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, Hurtubise was signed a free agent in July of last year. The 23-year-old is. currently showcasing his talents for the Advanced-A Dayton.

Hurtubise is slashing .303/.456/.344 and has mastered the drag bunt for a base hit. Hurtubise speed is what sets him apart from others within Cincinnati’s farm system. Hurtubise has 23 stolen bases on the season and has only been caught four times.

Hurtubise is a breath of fresh air in an era of launch angles and exit velocity, but unfortunately, those traits are coveted by today’s executives. It’s questionable as to what level of interest a player like Hurtubise would even garner on the trade market, but you can’t teach speed and that .456 has to count for something.

If there’s one thing the Cincinnati Reds have in their farm system, it’s a lot of outfield talent. Austin Hendrick, Allan Cerda, and Michael Siani are some of the rising stars within the Reds’ minor leagues. While talented, Jacob Hurtubise is expendable, especially if it means Cincinnati could snag a reliever in exchange.

Mar 2, 2021; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds outfielder Alejo Lopez warms up. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Alejo Lopez, Reds minor league infielder

For the record, I absolutely love the way Alejo Lopez plays the game. The 25-year-old is a versatile infielder, but the Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of players who fit that description. If Cincinnati were ever going to promote the 25-year-old, there best opportunity was when Lucas Sims hit the IL, but instead, the Reds recalled Scott Heineman.

Lopez has already shown an ability to blitz through Double-A. In 25 games for the Chattanooga Lookouts, Lopez slashed .362/.437/.448 with nine doubles and 13 RBIs. A promotion to Triple-A was imminent, and with the Louisville Bats, Lopez is hitting .366/.448/.549 with nine doubles, two home runs, and 13 RBIs.

Now, there will be those who argue that Cincinnati would use that type of production at the major league level. I would agree, but Lopez will not break through into the starting lineup for the Reds. With Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Eugenio Suarez, and Kyle Farmer manning the infield, and star slugger Mike Moustakas soon to come off the IL, Lopez would be no more than a bench bat.

The Reds also have Max Schrock returning for the IL in the near future and Mike Freeman has been a steady hand off the bench. Alex Blandino should return to the Cincinnati lineup sometime next month as well. With so many redundant infielders, the Reds can afford to sacrifice Alejo Lopez if it means bringing back a reliever in return.

CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 14: A close up view of a hat and baseball glove in the dugout with the New Era logo before a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3. Graham Ashcraft, Reds minor league pitcher

This is a player who’s making a name for himself, and the only way the Cincinnati Reds should part with Graham Ashcraft is if they’re able to secure the services of a high-level reliever who is more than just a rental. Ashcraft has just a 7% walk-rate and a combined record of 5-1 between Advanced-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga. Ashcraft’s ERA during that time is 1.89.

Ashcraft has 63 punch outs in 47.2 innings and a 0.90 WHIP this season. Those numbers are quite good, and the right-hander has the look of a future major league starting pitcher. That’s something the Cincinnati Reds cannot just give up on, but Ashcraft is also an asset that could be used to lure away a key piece for the bullpen.

Would a player like Ashcraft be enough to pry a reliever like Richard Rodriguez away from the Pittsburgh Pirates? How about snagging Kendall Graveman from the Seattle Mariners? Some talented arms are likely to be available, and a pitcher like Ashcraft could be the centerpiece of such a deal.

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We have said it time and time again; if the Cincinnati Reds truly hope to compete for the National League Central Division title, they have to improve the league’s worst bullpen. Cincinnati has some fast-rising minor league talent who could be used as trade bait in the coming weeks. Will the Reds pull the trigger and use some of these talented players to secure some relief help? Time will tell.

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