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Reds: 3 biggest steals from Day 2 of the MLB Draft

By Drew Koch

Jun 21, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; NC State Wolfpack infielder Jose Torres (8) celebrates a ninth inning double play. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; NC State Wolfpack infielder Jose Torres (8) celebrates a ninth inning double play. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justice Thompson #20 of North Carolina waits for a pitch. The Reds selected Thompson in Round Round 6.
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 27: Justice Thompson #20 of North Carolina waits for a pitch. The Reds drafted Thompson in Round 6. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

No matter which sport you follow, when the time comes for professional sports franchises to select their newest players, fans always want to know whether or not their team got a deal. Did their squad somehow outsmart the other clubs and snare an under-the-radar prospect? The Cincinnati Reds made nine picks on Monday afternoon. Who were their there biggest steals?

It’s always hard in the moment to recognize whether a team got a tremendous value for the player they selected. I think it’s fair to say that had every team in MLB known in in 2009 what we all know now, Mike Trout would be wearing a Washington Nationals’ jersey. Taking nothing away from Stephenson Strasburg, who the Nats took No. 1, but Trout is a surefire Hall of Famer.

Trout, a three-time MVP, lasted until No. 25. He was taken after the likes of Jiovanni Mier, Grant Green, and Donovan Tate. The Reds, with the eighth overall pick elected to take Mike Leake in 2009. But we’re not looking at the first-round today, even though Cincinnati got a nice pickup in Matt McLain, but rather Day 2. Who were the Reds’ three biggest steals on Day 2?

1. Justice Thompson, Reds 6th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft

With the 180th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds decided to roll the dice with North Carolina outfielder Justice Thompson. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Justice has plus-speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Thompson comes in at No. 119 among draft eligible prospects according to MLB.com.

Based strictly on his skillset, Thompson could have gone in Round 2 or 3, but concerns about his hit-tool allowed the former Tar Heel to fall all the way to Round 6. Having just turned 21 years old last Thursday, Thompson is one of thee younger collegiate players to be drafted this summer.

There’s some swing and miss potential in his bat, but Thompson also possesses some impressive raw power as well. He slashed .304/.386/.444 in 54 games at UNC this season. If that .830 OPS translates to the minor leagues, and eventually the majors, Thompson could be more than just a fourth outfielder.

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