Breakout Reds prospects at every position ahead of crucial offseason

In 2026, Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart cast aside the prospect label before the calendar even flipped to May and turned himself into a bonafide All-Star by midseason. Stewart led the Reds in home runs and RBI and is likely to be named NL Rookie of the Year.

But Stewart wasn't the only Reds prospect to take a step toward stardom in 2026. While the majority of Reds fandom was focused on the big-league club's shortcomings this past season, the organization saw several prospects take a major leap forward in their development.

Let's check in on one Reds prospect at each position that enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2026, and see how close they are to making their Major League debut.

Breakout Reds prospects at every position ahead of 2026-27 offseason

Catcher: Jirvin Morillo

A lot of fans know about Alfredo Duno, but few have heard the name Jirvin Morillo. As good as Duno's 2026 season was, Morillo's was even better. The 19-year-old came stateside for the first time this year, and in 76 games between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Daytona, he hit .303/.433/.580 with a 139 wRC+.

First base: Carter Graham

In terms of a breakout prospect, no player did more to enhance his résumé in 2026 than Carter Graham. He's an advanced prospect at 25 years old, but his production certainly caught the attention of the Reds' brass. He hit .300/.421/.565 with 29 home runs and 93 RBI while splitting time between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga. Fans should expect the Reds to add him to the 40-man roster sometime next month.

Second base: Liberts Aponte

One of the Reds' top international signees from 2025, Liberts Aponte made the most of his second season in the Dominican Summer League. In 33 games, Aponte hit .351/.493/.514 with a meager strikeout rate of just 16.7%. He's a shortstop by trade, but saw nine games at the keystone in 2026. The real test for the 18-year-old will come next season when he (likely) makes the jump to A-Ball.

Third base: Ichiro Cano

A lot has been made of Ichiro Cano's baseball-derived name, but his performance in 2026 would make the Hall of Famer proud. In his second season at Low-A Daytona, he hit .297/.412/.422 with a 125 wRC+. Cano can play both corner infield spots, but looks much more comfortable at third base.

Shortstop: Carlos Sanchez

Much like Carter Graham, Carlos Sanchez had a major breakout in 2026. He's Rule 5 eligible this winter, but after posting a .270/.376/.440 slash line between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, Cincinnati's leadership may have no choice but to add him to the 40-man roster. He also showed off his speed on the basepaths, racking up 23 stolen bases.

Outfield: Jacob Friend

The Reds' sixth-round pick in 2024, Jacob Friend's power-packed performance in 2026 definitely got him noticed. The 23-year-old launched 23 homers and picked up 80 RBI while also swiping 23 bags this past season. The strikeout rate (30.4%) is concerning, but no one can deny the power that resides in his bat.

Pitcher: Ysaias Escalona

Unfortunately, the Reds lack top-end pitching talent in the upper minor leagues. Nevertheless, there's an abundance of young hurlers who could be knocking on the door very soon. One name to keep an eye on is Ysaias Escalona. He's just 20 years old, but had an outstanding second season in the DSL. The right-hander went 10-0 across 63⅓ innings of work and allowed just seven earned runs (0.99 ERA).

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