4 Reds prospects who might be sacrificed in Cincinnati’s trade deadline blitz

After sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays and reaching six games over .500 for the first time all the season, the Cincinnati Reds have clearly shifted into buyer mode at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall and GM Brad Meador now have fewer than four days to add to the roster before the July 31 deadline passes.

The Reds are unlikely to trade away players who are on the active roster — though some on the 40-man could be moved at the deadline. Instead, fans should expect Cincinnati to deal from their expansive farm system as they search for additional pieces to help push this year's team into the MLB Postseason for the first time in a full-season since 2013.

Which prospects could be on the chopping block as the Reds look to bolster their playoff chances over the final two months of the 2025 season?

4 Reds prospects who might not survive the MLB trade deadline

Sammy Stafura, Reds shortstop prospect

One of the more intriguing names to watch at the trade deadline is Reds' infield prospect Sammy Stafura. After promoting fellow shortstop Tyson Lewis to Single-A, Stafura has moved to second base. A former second-round pick, Stafura is a top-10 prospect in the organization according to MLB Pipeline, and could be a tantalizing player for one of the many sellers who are looking to rebuild.

Adam Serwinowski, Reds pitching prospect

Another young prospect who's sure to be mentioned as the trade deadline approaches is Adam Serwinowski. The lefty has seen his share of struggles this season, but still possesses an incredibly high ceiling. Serwinowski has gone from a late-round draft pick to a top-20 prospect in the Reds organization. Teams interested in a young pitching may find the 21-year-old southpaw attractive at the deadline.

Edwin Arroyo, Reds shortstop prospect

Edwin Arroyo is finally beginning to showcase his true ability after being sidelined all of last season following shoulder surgery. The problem for Arroyo, however, is that he's blocked at the big-league level by Reds superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Arroyo is on the cusp of making it to the big leagues, and any team looking for a dependable, defensive-minded shortstop could be intrigued by the 21-year-old's upside.

Zach Maxwell, Reds pitching prospect

Coming into the season, Zach Maxwell was a prospect many Reds fans thought would break camp with the big-league club. Instead, the fireballer began the year in Triple-A, and while he possesses an impressive four-seam fastball, his command and control has been somewhat troublesome. While some fans view Maxwell as having closer-type stuff, Terry Francona has shown how much he values a pitcher who can command the strike zone — that's not Maxwell's strong suit and could push him out the door at the deadline.