4 Reds prospects who could be dealt if Cincy becomes buyers at trade deadline

The Cincinnati Reds appear to be walking that fine line between buyers and sellers as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The Reds are reportedly willing to listen to offers for players like Lucas Sims, Frankie Montas, and Justin Wilson, but don't put it past Nick Krall and the front office to make some additions as well.

Of course, if the Reds do turn into buyers at the deadline, they'll need to deal from their farm system in order to acquire major league talent. The outfield would be the most likely spot Cincinnati would look to upgrade. Randy Arozarena and Austin Hays were recently dealt, but players like Lane Thomas, Luis Robert, and Brent Rooker are still available.

If the Reds turn into sellers, which Reds prospects could be changing organizations before the July 30th deadline expires?

Sammy Stafura, Reds SS prospect

The Reds have about a dozen shortstops that the organization is high on at the moment. But with Elly De La Cruz having cemented himself as the alpha, a number of shortstops will need to change positions or could become trade fodder.

Sammy Stafura, one of the Reds top draft picks from last year, is off to a hot-start. The 19-year-old is currently playing for Low-A Daytona and is hitting .283/.398/.434 with 20 extra-base hits. Stafura has above-average speed, a strong arm, and while raw, should stick at shortstop over the long haul.

Stafura could be plucked from the Reds farm system if Krall and Co. had the opportunity to nab one of the top outfield bats available at this year's trade deadline. But the former second-round pick could also have future in the Reds organization, so he won't be moved for merely a rental.

Dominic Pitelli, Reds SS prospect

The ceiling for Dominic Petelli is likely that of a major league utility player, but Reds fans have seen plenty of those players become contributors to their own team over the years. Players like former shortstop Kyle Farmer, and even centerfielder TJ Friedl come to mind.

Petelli was a seventh-round draft choice last year and is already at Double-A Chattanooga. A ball club looking to acquire a skilled infielder with upside could be on the lookout for a prospect like Petelli at this year's trade deadline.

Petelli wouldn't be a headliner in a deal for a star outfielder by any means, but if Cincinnati was interested in trading for a short-term solution like Jesse Winker or Tommy Pham, a player like Petelli could be part of the return.

Christian Roa, Reds RHP prospect

The Reds haven't seen much from Christian Roa this season. The right-hander was added to the Reds 40-man roster this offseason, but after failing as a starter, Cincinnati moved him into the bullpen at Triple-A. Since moving into a relief role, Roa hasn't been any better. The former second-round pick owns a 5.68 ERA with only 41 punch outs in 44.1 innings of work this season.

So why would any other ball club be interested? Because different organizations have different philosophies, and you can never enough pitching. Roa is under team control for six more seasons and has two minor-league options remaining. For three straight seasons now, Roa has appeared in at least 20 games, and before his shift to the Louisville Bats' bullpen, had back-to-back seasons of 90-plus innings pitched.

Those factors matters to organizations looking to bolster their farm system, and having a dependable arm like Roa who could offer long relief out of the bullpen or a spot start might be intriguing enough for another team to part with a short-term rental at the trade deadline.

Cam Collier, Reds 3B prospect

The likelihood of the Reds parting with Cam Collier is slim-to-none, but if Cincinnati goes big-game hunting at the trade deadline, the former first-round pick might be Krall's best trade chip. Collier could have a bright future, but he's also scuffled a bit since being drafted.

While taking into account the fact that Collier is much younger than the competition he's playing against, the 19-year-old is hitting just .230/.312/.393 after posting a .246/.349/.356 slash line last season. Collier's 99 strikeouts are among the top-10 in the Midwest League this season.

But there is absolutely no denying the power. Collier has 13 bombs this year and is a top-100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Collier is the type of player that Cincinnati could include in a deal for an offensive upgrade that would also bring multiple years of control. If the Reds decided to go big or go home, Collier might be a prospect Cincinnati would include in a trade package.

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