MLB mock draft just deepened the Reds’ already absurd roster logjam

Most Cincinnati Reds fans are not college baseball aficionados, nor do they have a vast knowledge of the high school prep prospects who might be on the team's radar later this summer when the 2025 MLB Draft takes place. But one thing every Reds fan is sure of is that Cincinnati does not need another highly-regarded shortstop prospect in the pipeline.

The latest MLB.com mock draft, however, disagrees and assigned Mississippi high school standout JoJo Parker to the Reds with the ninth-overall pick. Parker may be a fine player, but with four young shortstops already ranked among the top-10 organizationally, do the Reds really need to take another one in Round 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft?

This selection does follow the Reds' tried-and-true draft strategy of adding "up-the-middle" talent during the early rounds. Cincinnati oftentimes prefers to take elite-level athletes who play shortstop, catcher, center field, or pitcher during Round 1. Five of their top picks the past six seasons have fallen into that category. Cam Collier (third baseman) is the lone exception.

Will the Reds really take another shortstop in Round 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft?

It's not enough that the Reds basically have three shortstops on the roster — Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte — but Cincinnati has a quartet of up-and-coming shortstop prospects down on the farm, only one of which has moved past A-Ball.

Edwin Arroyo is the most advanced shortstop prospect in the Reds' farm system. After a shoulder injury sidelined him throughout the entire 2024 season, Arroyo is attempting to reestablish his value at Double-A. Heading into play on Tuesday, Arroyo is hitting .252/.350/.320. The power isn't there yet, but Arroyo's glove is, and always has been, his carrying tool.

Two former second-round draft picks are tearing up the minor leagues as well. Sammy Stafura is turning heads at Low-A Daytona and Tyson Lewis is making some loud contact in the Arizona Complex League. Throw in Ricky Cabrera and Leo Balcazar, and you can understand why the Cincinnati faithful might be a bit upset if Nick Krall and Co. decide to select a shortstop in Round 1.

Reds fans understand the need for pitching, and likely wouldn't blow a gasket if Cincinnati selected a starter like Liam Doyle or Jamie Arnold with their first-round pick. Higher on their list, however, would probably be an outfielder like Jace LaViolette or even catcher Luke Stevenson. Reds Country might not survive if a shortstop comes off the board at No. 9 during this year's MLB Draft, but we'll have to wait until July 13 to find out.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors