3 Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospects the Reds could trade for before today's deadline

3. Reds could trade for White Sox Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospect Matthew Thompson

The Cincinnati Reds are always on the lookout for those power-arms, and Matthew Thompson certainly fits that description. The Chicago White Sox selected the Texas high school in Round 2 of the 2019 MLB Draft and he's been on a roller coaster ride since making his professional debut.

Thompson started 25 games in 2022 and logged over 100 innings. In 2023, the right-hander made 27 starts and posted a strikeout-rate near 24-percent. Unfortunately, the ERA was sitting at 4.85. His 136 punch outs were quite impressive, but Thompson also led the Southern League in free passes.

Thompson offers a mixed bag, and could be an intriguing option to pair with Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson to see if Cincinnati might be able to fix what's been ailing the young right-handed pitching prospect. Thompson is viewed as incredibly atheltic, something that should allow him to repeat his delivery.

The Chicago White Sox are retooling, rebuilding, or whatever you want to call it. Chicago's new GM Chris Getz has maintained that almost no player on the White Sox is off limits this offseason, so there's no way the South Siders are going to cling to a player like Thompson.

Matthew Thompson is one of those prospects who could be of interest in the Rule 5 Draft if he's left unprotected by the White Sox this winter. But if the plus-fastball is enough to grab the attention to the Reds' scouts, don't be shocked if Cincinnati swings a deal for Thompson before today's deadline.