Reds: 3 under-the-radar prospects who’ll make their debut in 2022

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 23: A general view during the game between the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Reds saw several young prospects make their major league debuts in 2021. After watching Jose Barrero and Tyler Stephenson gain some major league experience during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, players like Jonathan India, Vladimir Gutierrez, and Reiver Sanmartin made their big league debut in 2021.

Looking ahead to 2022, most fans are hoping for Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, the team’s top two pitching prospects, to make their major league debuts. Players like Mark Kolozsvary, who was on the active roster but didn’t see in-game action, will probably get his shot next year as well.

But who are some under-the-radar prospects that may find their way to the big leagues in 2022? Be honest, you didn’t know the name Alejo Lopez before this season. Dauri Moreta wasn’t a player you’d heard of, right? So who are some Reds’ prospects, much like Lopez and Moreta, who you’ve not yet heard of that may emerge on the 26-man roster next season?

1. Brian Rey, Reds outfield prospect

If you’ve not yet heard of Brian Rey, get ready. A 13th-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018, Rey skyrocketed up the minor leagues during the 2021 season. Rey went through three levels of minor league baseball last season, climbing all the way to Triple-A Louisville during the final month of the season.

Rey hit .385/.529/.467 at Triple-A, albeit in just four games. Rey received his most consistent playing time at Double-A Chattanooga. In 68 games, Rey hit .255/.348/.321 with three home runs and 31 RBIs.

Brian Rey is what many would consider an average prospect, but just like Alejo Lopez, I think we’ll see Rey outperform expectations and force the Cincinnati Reds to add him to the 40-man roster. Cincinnati may fear that they’ll lose Rey to the Rule 5 Draft this winter and add him to the roster in December.

Rey is little more than utility player. But as we’ve seen with individuals like Kyle Farmer, utility players can grow their roles and become key contributors. Rey will have to demonstrate that what the organization saw during his brief stint in Triple-A was no fluke. If he can, look for Rey to join the Reds active roster at some point next season.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 15: Cincinnati Reds picks the ball up off of the pitchers mound. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. James Marinan, Reds pitching prospect

The Cincinnati Reds acquired James Marinan from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade that sent right-handers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal to Hollywood. Marinan was just 19 years old when he was traded to Cincinnati and finally seems to be putting it together.

Not yet 23, Marinan graduated from Low-A Daytona to High-A Dayton near the end of the 2021 season and one of handful of Reds prospects who’ll be playing in the Arizona Fall League. Marinan is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter, and while there’s an outside chance that Cincinnati will add the right-hander to the 40-man roster, Marinan has yet to play above A-Ball.

So why would Marinan make the leap the majors next season? Because he the type of pitch repertoire (fastball, slider, and changeup) that will play at the big league level. Marinan has been a starting pitcher throughout the majority of his professional career, but he did receive a few relief appearances in 2021 while playing at Low-A Daytona.

Marinan was the Dodgers’ fourth-round pick in 2017. The right-hander made just two starts at High-A Dayton, but his 38.6% strikeout-rate surely caught the eye of Cincinnati’s scouting department.

Marinan’s consistency and command are two things the Florida native will have to work one during his time in the Arizona Fall League and during spring training. If James Marinan can gain control and reduce his walk-rate, he’ll have a decent shot to debut next season.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 30: A detail view of a Cincinnati Reds hat in the dugout. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Eddy Demurias, Reds pitching prospect

Another player who’ll join the Arizona Fall League later this month, Eddy Demurias saw action at three different levels this season. Beginning the 2021 season at High-A Dayton, the right-hander was quickly elevated to Double-A Chattanooga. Demurias closed his 2021 campaign at Triple-A Louisville, making two appearances out of the Bats’ bullpen.

Demurias was highly recruited coming out of high school and decided to attend the University of South Carolina. Demurias was a 27th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. Demurias has a very live arm, consistently able to hit the upper-90s on the radar gun.

Demurias is a reliever, not a starter. That should be music the ears’ of Reds Country, as typically we see failed starters (Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, and Tejay Antone) become key contributors out of the Cincinnati bullpen.

One look at Demurias’ stats and you’ll see why I’m so high on him. In six games at Advanced-A Dayton, Demurias didn’t allow a single run to cross the plate. After striking out 10 batters in nine innings for the Dragons, Demurias was bumped up to Double-A Chattanooga.

Next. Hinds shows power following IL stint

With the Lookouts, Eddy Demurias posted a 2.43 ERA and struck out 42 batters over 40.2 innings of work. That 24.7% strikeout-rate looked pretty good, but Demurias has to learn how to keep the base paths clear. His 12.4% walk-rate will need to come down before the Reds view him as a solid relief option.

Home / Reds Prospects

1. Brian Rey, Reds outfield prospect

2. James Marinan, Reds pitching prospect

3. Eddy Demurias, Reds pitching prospect

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