3 players the Reds should target in 2022 Rule 5 Draft

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With virtually no one left to trade and only two players on guaranteed contracts heading into the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Reds have some work to do during the MLB Winter Meetings.

With a decreased payroll and the emphasis on developing young players, the Reds' front office may be looking to upcoming Rule 5 Draft as a way to bolster the roster.

The Rule 5 Draft will take place on Wednesday, December 7th. The Rule 5 Draft took a one-year hiatus last winter due to the lockout, but it'll be back in full-swing this week. Which three players might the Reds target during the upcoming draft?

1. The Reds should select LHP Erik Miller (Phillies) in the Rule 5 Draft.

Erik Miller may be one of the more highly-rated prospects available in the Rule 5 Draft. Taken in the fourth-round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Miller was a three-year starter at Stanford University but was moved to the bullpen this past season.

Miller was in and out of the starting rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A affiliate during the early part of the season, the the decision was made to shift the left-hander's focus to the relief corps.

The move worked wonders for Miller, who eventually was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in August. Miller struck out 18 batters in 12 innings for the Iron Pigs, but the southpaw also walked 14 batters. In fact, that's easily the biggest reason why Philadelphia left Miller unprotected in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The advanced metrics from last season show that Miller posted a K/9 of 11.54 and a strikeout-rate of 29.4% according to FanGraphs. Unfortunately, he also had a BB/9 of 5.77 and a walk-rate of 14.7%.

The Cincinnati Reds are short on left-handed relievers, with Reiver Sanmartin the only currently lefty who's slated to be in the bullpen next spring. At just 24 years old, Erik Miller offers the type of pitching profile that Cincinnati seems to craves, and could be a weapon out of the Reds bullpen in 2023.

2. The Reds should select C Drew Millas (Nationals) in the Rule 5 Draft.

This one feels like a no-brainer, doesn't it? While the Cincinnati Reds already added Luke Maile in free agency, general manager Nick Krall has already stated his desire to add another catcher to the roster. Well, Drew Millas is a catcher, and a darn good one at that.

Millas was a seventh-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. Millas drew rave reviews for his work behind the plate, and was arguably the best defensive catcher in the draft that year. But in 2021, the A's sent Millas and two others to the Nats in exchange for Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison.

Last season, Millas covered three different levels in the minors and has a great eye at the dish. Millas posted a 14.9% walk-rate and an on-base percentage of .340. In 2021, Millas had more walks (54) than strikeouts (53).

Drew Millas is a switch-hitter, something that could be very beneficial to the Cincinnati Reds as both Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile are right-handed hitters. Millas has yet to play above Double-A, so his ability to stick at the major league level for the entire season could come into question.

But Millas' glove already plays at the big league level, and with such a shortage of quality catchers in the Reds farm system, it would be foolish for Cincinnati's front office to look this gift horse in the mouth. Millas should be atop the Reds' list when the Rule 5 Draft begins.

3. The Reds should select OF Luis Mieses (White Sox) in the Rule 5 Draft.

Okay, so a left-handed hitting outfielder should probably not be terribly high on the Cincinnati Reds list. After all, Cincinnati will have a hard enough time finding adequate playing time for TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Michael Siani. But Luis Mieses has potential and should be on the Reds' radar during the Rule 5 Draft.

Nobody is going to confuse Mieses for Fraley. While Fraley has a very patient approach and isn't afraid to take a walk, Mieses drew a free pass just 5.1% of the time in 2022. However, Mieses won't be confused for Aristides Aquino either, as the 22-year-old posted just a 16.6% strikeout-rate.

Mieses reached Double-A this past season and posted a slash line of .299/.333/.443 with eight extra-base hits in 23 games for the Birmingham Barons. Mieses has untapped power from the left side and a plus arm that could profile well in right field.

The Reds outfield is a mess. Nick Senzel can't stay healthy, Aristides Aquino was recently designated for assignment, and the quartet of Fraley, Friedl, Siani, and Stuart Fairchild are probably best suited for a platoon.

The Cincinnati Reds do not have any major league-ready outfielder in the farm system, so depth is a concern heading into next season. While a left-handed hitting outfielder is not an ideal fit, Luis Mieses would give the Reds some extra pop in the lineup.

Next. Dream starting lineup for the 2023 Cincinnati Reds. dark

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