Reds: 3 prospects Cincinnati should target in Round 2 of the MLB Draft

The Cincinnati Reds selected three players on Day 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft. With their first pick, Cincinnati pulled the trigger on UCLA shortstop Matt McLain. The Reds used their remaining two picks to select prep outfielder Jay Allen and catcher Matheu Nelson. Who should the front office target in Round 2?

The Reds will have to wait until pick No. 53 to make their fourth selection of the 2021 MLB Draft. After snagging three players who’ll see time up the middle, will Nick Krall and company look for a pitcher in Round 2? Will they go with a high-upside prep prospect, or the more polished college player?

After McLain fell into their lap, the Reds may have to go over-slot just a tad in order to sign the former Bruin. The other two draft picks (Allen and Nelson) fell about where most expected, so they’ll likely sign at or near slot-value. That may indicate that Cincinnati might have to avoid going over-slot value with their second-round pick. Who might they target in Round 2?

1. Reds should target Izzac Pacheco in Round 2 of the MLB Draft.

It was a bit surprising to see Izzac Pacheco go undrafted in the first-round. The Texas A&M commit has plus, plus-raw power and is one of the more highly-rated prep infielders. Listed as shortstop, Pacheco’s size (6-foot-4, 225-pounds) would likely see the 18-year-old wind up at third base.

I know what you’re going to say; the Cincinnati Reds have enough power-hitting third base prospects as it is. While it’s true that Pacheco has a similar profile to current prospects Rece Hinds and Tyler Callihan, you really never know how young talent is going to develop. Furthermore, these players could always be part of a trade down the line as well.

Izzac Pacheco is a high-upside high school prospect who ranks in the Top 30 according to MLB.com. Pacheco is often compared to fellow Texas infielder Brady House who was taken with the 11th overall pick by the Washington Nationals. Pacheco’s athleticism and and left-handed stroke may see him develop into the better player in the long run.

The problem with selecting Pacheco might be the slot-value. Taking him in Round 2 when many scouts and evaluators thought Pacheco would be a first-round pick might necessitate some more bonus pool money allocated his way, meaning Cincinnati would need to be more frugal later on Day 2.

2. Reds should target James Wood in Round 2 of the MLB Draft.

Will the Cincinnati Reds go back to the IMG Academy well? Rece Hinds, a top prospect in Cincinnati’s farm system and second-round pick in 2019, played at IMG Academy. Outfielder James Wood, who stands 6-foot-7, is committed to Mississippi State, but if the Reds pull the trigger on Wood in Round 2, he may be lured away from playing for the Bulldogs.

Wood, like Hinds, has big-time power. Wood moved from Maryland to attend IMG Academy to focus on baseball. Wood is a two-sport athlete who also can strap on the sneakers and showcase his athleticism on the hardwood as well.

The Reds already took a Florida prep player with their second of three Day 1 picks when they took Jay Allen with 30th-overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Both are athletic, but where Allen is the more well-rounded prospect, Wood makes loud contact. The 18-year-old possesses plus, plus-raw power from the left side of the plate.

Cincinnati has shown a desire over the last few drafts to take power over contact. Hinds, Tyler Callihan, and last year’s first-round pick Austin Hendrick all possess big-time power. If the front office is still power-hungry, James Wood could be high on the Reds’ list when their opportunity arises with the 53rd pick.