Electric Reds prospect excites fans with successful spring training debut vs. Padres

It was just one game, but sometimes that's all it takes to get Reds Country excited for what's to come. Unlike big-market franchises in New York and Los Angeles, the Cincinnati Reds are never going to be an organization that chases big-name free agents on the open market.

Instead, the ole Redlegs will continue to draft and develop their own homegrown talent. That's what made Sammy Stafura's spring training debut on Monday so exciting. Cincy's 2023 second-round pick got his first taste of Cactus League action against the San Diego Padres and didn't disappoint.

Reds' superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz got the start on Monday going 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. But after the sixth inning, De La Cruz was pulled in favor of Stafura. The 20-year-old stepped onto the infield dirt and was part of an inning-ending tag out as Reds catcher Jose Trevino gunned down Padres' infielder Tyler Wade attempting to steal.

Reds prospect Sammy Stafura excites fans with successful spring training debut vs. Padres

Stafura led off the top of seventh inning and reached base safely on an infield single. The speedy Stafura was able to leg out a weak ground ball back to the pitcher Juan Nuñez. Stafura advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and moved on to third base after a walk to Stuart Fairchild loaded the bases. Stafura later scored on a line drive single off the bat of fellow infield prospect Ricardo Cabrera.

Stafura's second plate appearance showcased the young infielder's bat speed as he smoked a single into left field that left the bat at 104.7 mph. A fluky play later in the inning allowed Stafura to score from first base. Outfielder Blake Dunn smashed a single at nearly 109 mph that struck Padres' infielder Niko Goodrum in the face. The ball ricocheted off Goodrum, and amidst the confusion, Stafura came around to score.

There's a lot to like about Stafura's game. While he's not as fast as De La Cruz, Stafura definitely has the wheels to steal 30 more bases in a season. In 92 games in the minor leagues last season, Stafura swiped 31 bags. The youngster spent most of his 2024 campaign at Low-A Daytona, but advanced to High-A Dayton as the season came to a close.

Look for Stafura to begin this year back with the Dayton Dragons, but if he continues to show progress at the dish, the speedy shortstop could arrive at Double-A later this year. Stafura, along with Sal Stewart and Tyson Lewis are some of the most exciting Reds prospects in the pipeline this year. All three will be on the field for the Reds Spring Breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers later this week.

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