6 Reds players now at risk of the Rule 5 Draft after 40-man roster decisions

The deadline to add players to the 40-man roster in order protect them from the Rule 5 Draft has come and gone and the Cincinnati Reds added two prospects — Tyler Callihan and Luis Mey are now part of the Reds 40-man roster.

Callihan and Mey stood out during their time in the Arizona Fall League this year, and both bring some much needed depth to the Reds roster. But a handful of other players are now in danger of being selected during the Rule 5 Draft. Which Reds prospects were left unprotected and could be poached during next month's MLB Winter Meetings.

These Reds players are now at risk of the Rule 5 Draft after 40-man roster decisions

Austin Hendrick, Reds outfielder

Austin Hendrick has never lived up to the hype, but if another ball club is tempted by his prodigious power, the former first-round pick could be selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Hendrick has some of the best power in all of the minor leagues, but his strikeout rate is atrocious. If another organization believes they can fix the gigantic hole in his swing, perhaps someone takes a flier on him.

Jose Acuña, Reds pitcher

It was surprising to see Jose Acuña go unprotected. If there's one Reds player that a number of teams could have an eye on during the Rule 5 Draft, it's Acuña. The right-hander was acquired in the Tyler Naquin deal a few years back, and at just 22 years old, Acuña could be a tempting addition to another squad this offseason.

Ivan Johnson, Reds infielder

Ivan Johnson was available in the Rule 5 Draft last season but no one selected the 26-year-old Georgia native. Johnson put up fine stats in the minor leagues this season with a combined .819 OPS between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. Johnson saw time in left and center field last season as well as second base. Don't be shocked if he's plucked from the Reds roster during the Rule 5 Draft.

Yerlin Confidan, Reds outfielder

If there's one player in the Reds pipeline that could rival Hendrick for power, it's Yerlin Confidan. Still quite raw, it would be somewhat surprising to see another club take on such a risky asset, but that light-tower power is something to behold, and that could catch the eye of an opposing general manager.

Jose Franco, Reds pitcher

Jose Franco has yet to pitch above High-A, but the right-hander struck out 90 batters in 76⅔ innings last season. Being almost 24 years old could also pique another club's interest who may looking to capture lightning in a bottle.

Andrew Moore, Reds pitcher

The Luis Castillo trade in 2022 yielded Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Levi Stoudt, and Andrew Moore. Marte was suspended 80 games last season, Arroyo missed the entire year with a shoulder injury, Stoudt was DFA'd, and now Moore could be selected in the Rule 5 Draft. All of ther sudden, this trade isn't looking so hot.

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