4 way-too-early 2025 MLB Draft prospects Reds should target in July

The Cincinnati Reds are heading into the 2025 MLB Draft with a golden opportunity—and they may not see another one like it for a while. With the No. 9 overall pick, the Reds are poised to land a premium talent in what’s shaping up to be a more diverse draft class of talent than initially anticipated.

The event kicks off July 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, with the first three rounds taking place on Day 1, followed by the remaining 17 rounds on July 14. With playoff expectations growing and a young core already knocking on the door, this could very well be the last time Cincinnati drafts this high for the foreseeable future.

That puts extra weight on nailing this pick—and while we’re still months away from the final draft board taking shape, several names are emerging as intriguing fits for the Reds at No. 9. Let’s take a closer look at the prospects Cincinnati should be keeping close tabs on heading into draft season.

4 way-too-early 2025 MLB Draft prospects Reds should target in July

Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

When you’re talking about the top outfielders in the 2025 MLB Draft class, Brendan Summerhill’s name is bound to come up—often neck and neck with Texas A&M’s slugger Jace LaViolette. While LaViolette draws the spotlight with his elite power, Summerhill makes his case in what we fill as a more complete way.

Summerhill’s greatest asset is that he rarely misses. Sporting a remarkably low 13% whiff rate, the 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter is a model of plate discipline and consistent contact. He’s been scorching hot for Arizona this season, slashing .409/.500/.656 through 23 games, with six triples highlighting his blend of speed and bat control.

He may not have the towering power numbers, but don’t let that fool you—Summerhill hits the ball hard and finds gaps with ease. In center field, his range and athleticism allow him to cover plenty of ground, and his right-handed throwing arm adds another layer of value to his all-around game.

For a team like the Reds, who have historically struggled to develop outfield talent, Summerhill could be a difference maker. He represents the kind of player you build a foundation around—athletic, toolsy, and polished beyond his years. If Cincinnati is ready to usher in a new class of outfield development, Summerhill might just be the perfect fit.

Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

Pitching development has become one of the Reds’ calling cards in recent years, and if they’re looking to double down on that identity in the 2025 MLB Draft, LSU’s Kade Anderson might be the perfect match sitting at pick No. 9.

Anderson is part of a top-lefty trio in this year’s class and is projected to fall right into the Reds’ range. At 6-foot-2 and just 20 years old, Anderson already possesses an advanced feel for pitching that belies his age. He commands the zone with poise, features a lively four-seam fastball that touches 95 mph, and pairs it with a low-80s slider and a changeup that’s widely considered his most polished weapon.

That fastball-changeup combo is the classic left-handed nightmare for hitters, and Anderson already uses it with the maturity of a pro. With clean mechanics and repeatable delivery, he’s viewed as a pitcher who could move quickly through a farm system—and the Reds might be one of the few organizations equipped to accelerate that process.

If Cincinnati is serious about reinforcing its future rotation with a high-upside, low-drama arm, Anderson is the type of polished southpaw who could be wearing a big league uniform for the Reds sooner than later.

JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis High School (MS)

When in doubt, draft an infielder—and the Reds have made that strategy look like a strength in recent years. Their pipeline is already rich with middle infield talent, but JoJo Parker could be the next name to join the lineage.

Parker, a 6-foot-2 left-handed hitter with a right-handed arm, has been a hitting machine throughout his high school career. What sets him apart isn’t just his consistent contact—it’s his elite strike zone awareness. Few prep bats in the 2025 class have Parker’s feel for the barrel and the patience to go with it, giving him one of the sharpest eyes among the entire draft class.

While he doesn’t flash big-time power yet, and likely profiles better at second or third base long-term due to limited range at shortstop, there’s no denying the offensive upside. Still just 18 years old and wrapping up his senior season, Parker has plenty of time to fill out his frame and round out his defensive profile.

For a team like the Reds, who have made a habit of turning solid infielders into everyday big-leaguers, Parker represents another high-upside investment. He wouldn’t need to be rushed and could comfortably develop behind the current wave of infield talent already pushing through the system. In time, he could be the next in line in Cincinnati’s quietly impressive infield factory.

Kane Kepley, OF, UNC

If the Reds decide to go another route in the first round, Kane Kepley could be the perfect value play in the second round—a high-floor outfielder with tools that are already turning heads.

Originally a standout at Liberty University before transferring to UNC, Kepley has thrived in the leadoff role thanks to his blend of speed, discipline, and defensive range in center field. A true lefty, Kepley brings top-of-the-order energy with a plate approach beyond his years. He led his conference as a sophomore with 47 walks and swiped 23 bases—numbers that scream "table-setter" in today’s game.

What makes him even more intriguing is the sneaky power packed into his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame. He launched nine home runs this past season and sported an elite .481 OBP, showing he can hurt you in multiple ways.

Kepley’s game is built on polish and projection. He may not have the loudest tools in the draft, but he does a lot of little things exceptionally well. For an organization like the Reds—still searching for long-term solutions in the outfield—Kepley could be a smart addition. With some pro-level refinement, he profiles as a fast riser who could become a reliable contributor in center field sooner than later.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors