Reds: 3 prospects who are blocked, Cincinnati should consider trading

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Well, at long last, Cincinnati Reds fans were finally able to see two of the organization's top prospects this past week. Both Matt McLain and Brandon Williamson made their major league debut while on the road at Coors Field.

McLain and Williamson joined Levi Stoudt, one of the team's top pitching prospects who debuted earlier this season. Spencer Steer, who made his first big league appearance near the end of last season, is still in his rookie season as well.

There is certainly a lot of young talent in the Cincinnati organization, but only nine players can suit up on a daily basis. Given the depth of the Reds farm system, which three prospects in the minor leagues are blocked at the major league level and could be traded later this year?

1. Reds prospect Jose Torres is blocked and could be traded.

If you're a shortstop within the Cincinnati Reds organization and your name isn't Elly De La Cruz or Edwin Arroyo, you may be traded or asked to switch positions in the near future. Even Arroyo may fall into that category.

But at just 19 years old, there's very little chance that the Reds are willing to give up on Arroyo so soon, even with what feels like a dozen capable shortstop prospects in the farm system. Jose Torres, on the other hand, could be a different story.

According to MLB Pipeline, Torres ranks as a Top 25 prospect in the Cincinnati farm system. A former third-round pick, Torres is currently playing at Double-A Chattanooga. The 23-year-old's bat let him down in 2022 and hasn't improved much this season.

Torres is a defense-first shortstop prospect who's also seen time at second base. But with Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Edwin Arroyo, and Jonathan India likely to be part of the Reds infield for the foreseeable future, Torres is expendable.

2. Reds prospect Tyler Callihan is blocked and could be traded.

Tyler Callihan, just like Jose Torres, is a former third-round pick. The Cincinnati Reds will need to make decision on Callihan's future this coming offseason. The team will either need to add him to the 40-man roster or risk losing the infielder in the Rule 5 Draft.

Callihan has had an injury-plagued career, including Tommy John surgery. But Callihan has always been a bat-first prospect without ever really finding a position to call home. Some scouts think he can play third base, while others think he's exclusively a second baseman.

Either way, there's really nowhere for Callihan to find playing time if and when he makes it to the major league level. Jonathan India is the Reds second baseman at the moment, and while some fans would advocate for him to be moved to the outfield, that seems unlikely.

If India is moved off the infield dirt, the most likely player to take his spot would be Matt McLain. Don't forget about, though some often do, Spencer Steer. The former Minnesota Twins farmhard can handle his own at the keystone as well. There's also Nick Senzel, who's played extremely well at the hot corner this season, but could make the switch to second base if needed.

Before Tyler Caliihan can even think about making it to the big leagues, the 22-year-old must raise his batting average down in the minors. Callihan is floating around the Mendoza line this season and has shown little pop. Not only is Callihan blocked at the major league level, but he's failing to produce in what could be a make-or-break minor league season.

3. Reds prospect Carlos Jorge is blocked and could be traded.

Now, this could be a name to monitor as the season progresses, and there's absolutely no reason for the Cincinnati Reds to be swayed into traded Carlos Jorge. That is, of course, unless the front office is able to flip him for a coveted outfield or pitching prospect.

Let's face it, the Reds have too many infield prospects and not enough outfield prospects. Rece Hinds, Austin Hendrick, and Jay Allen II represent the team's best outfield prospects currently in the farm system and all three are incredibly flawed at this point in their careers.

Hinds looks to be a clone of former Reds outfielder Aristides Aquino. When Hinds makes contact, the ball travels far. But Hinds is a strikeout machine with nearly 60 in just over 30 games. Allen II has tremedous speed, but making contact is a problem. Hendrick is actually playing well this season, and has given the Reds front office hope.

But Jorge is all but locked into a role at second base. The 19-year-old just doesn't have the arm strength to play any other position, though he has seen time at third base and shortstop. But, as was alluded to earlier, the list of players in line to play those positions in the big leagues is long.

With Carlos Jorge being so young, it seems unlikely the team would consider moving on from him so quickly. It would have to be the right deal. But if trading Jorge is off the table, then a position change become a virtual necessity.

Next. Ranking the Reds 10 most important young players. dark

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3 blocked Reds prospects Cincinnati should consider trading

1. Reds prospect Jose Torres is blocked and could be traded.

2. Reds prospect Tyler Callihan is blocked and could be traded.

3. Reds prospect Carlos Jorge is blocked and could be traded.

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