Allan Cerda should be added to the Reds 40-man roster today

This is evening is the deadline for teams to protect prospects from the Rule 5 Draft by adding them to the 40-man roster.

The Cincinnati Reds need to think outside the box and select outfielder Allan Cerda.

The Reds should select Allan Cerda.

We already know that Cincinnati will select Hunter Greene later today. The former first-round pick will join the Reds 40-man roster before the 6 PM deadline.

But several other prospects remain in limbo. Pitcher James Marinan, catcher Chris Okey, and infielder Brian Rey may be selected later today as well.

The most important name to watch, however, might be Allan Cerda. Though he's yet to play above A-Ball, Cerda has enormous upside

Cerda is ranked 21st in the Reds farm system by FanGraphs, and No. 17 according to MLB Pipeline.

Cerda's calling card is his power. The outfielder racked up 17 homers between Low-A Daytona and High-A Dayton last season.

Allan Cerda posted a .527 slugging percentage and .884 OPS in the minors last season, hammering 22 doubles and five triples.

It's not every day that a team will select a player who's yet to play above High-A, but the Reds did it last year with Jared Solomon.

Solomon's situation was unique, as the Reds pitching prospect was sidelined all last season following Tommy John surgery.

I'd look for Cincinnati to do the same with Allan Cerda today. The potential that Cerda holds is far more valuable that what TJ Friedl or Alejo Lopez are going to bring to the table.

Both Friedl and Lopez are nice utility players, but Cerda has the potential to be part of the Cincinnati Reds everyday lineup in the very near future.

Cerda has lined up consistently in center field during his minor league career, though he may eventually be moved to a corner outfield spot.

The Reds currently have 35 players on the 40-man roster. Hunter Greene's addition later today will make it 36.

While it may be a bit unconventional, the Cincinnati Reds should unquestionably add Allan Cerda to the 40-man roster today.