Cam Collier answered last year's power outage but still scuttled Reds' ideal 2027 plan

One way or another, Sal Stewart will be key to solving the Cincinnati Reds' offseason needs. A weak free-agent third base class presents very few options that represent significant upgrades over the much-maligned Ke'Bryan Hayes.

That means the Reds could try to sign a first base option and slide Stewart back to his natural third base position, though even then the choices aren't the greatest. That means a trade might be in the cards in order for Cincinnati to maximize Stewart at the hot corner.

However, there's one Reds prospect who could've been an answer. A thumb injury derailed the start of 2022 first-round pick Cam Collier's 2025 campaign. The young slugger never fully recovered and saw his power disappear completely, with him hitting just four homers over 95 games, with 74 contests coming at Double-A Chattanooga.

Collier's power outage made 2026 into a make-or-break season for the soon-to-be 22-year-old. In the power department, he answered the bell with 18 dingers, but the Reds' No. 17 overall prospect left a lot to be desired.

As disappointing as the power production was in 2025, Collier actually hit pretty well in all other facets. During his time in Chattanooga, he slashed .263/.377/.347 while walking at an impressive 14.6% rate. This year, however, he hit .209/.286/.368 over 135 games at the Double-A level.

The hope was that he could have hit the ground running, had his power returned, made quick work of the competition in Chattanooga, and moved on to Louisville, where he'd excel enough to put a big league arrival on the 2027 map. Like Stewart, the youngster can play both first and third base, and in an ideal world, the two youthful sluggers would bookend the infield next season.

Cam Collier spoiling the team's 2027 plans is emblematic of a larger Reds' problem

Had Collier put himself in a position to be in Cincinnati's 2027 plans, it would have been a huge boost for the organization. If that had come to fruition, the Reds could then use their limited funds to fix other issues with the roster, such as bolstering the starting rotation and bullpen, as well as adding pop to the outfield.

Instead, there's no way that Collier gets a call-up before September, as it seems that he needs a lot more work. That highlights an even greater problem for Cincy.

The farm system is not in a good spot right now, especially in the upper levels. Most of the talent is below Double-A right now, and the prime youngsters who were toiling in Chattanooga and Louisville have seen their luster wear off.

For example, Edwin Arroyo's struggles make him no shoo-in to replace an equally underwhelming Matt McLain. Héctor Rodríguez had his ups and downs upon being called up. Rhett Lowder and Chase Petty have failed to show that they can be relied upon on the pitching side.

This is a growing problem for a team like the Reds. In an ideal world, they could turn to a guy like Lowder to replace a departing free agent like Brady Singer, and then use that cost savings to strengthen another area of the team. That's the way a team in Cincinnati's budget tier needs to build their roster, and unfortunately the state of the system doesn't allow for that sort of sustainability in 2027.

Through the lens of Collier, his disappointing season in 2026 derailed what should have been an easy 2027 win. Now the Reds will need to search for yet another answer from outside the organization, which means that there will be fewer resources to address other areas that desperately need help.

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