3 unheralded Reds farmhands who could make the 2023 Opening Day roster

Spring training is officially underway and it's time to familiarize yourself with some of the lesser known players within the Cincinnati Reds farm system.

Everyone has heard of Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain is former first-round pick, and Christian. Encarnacion-Strand has a lot of buzz due to his massive power. But what about some of the Reds unsung prospects?

Last spring, an unheralded prospect by the name of Alexis Diaz broke camp with the Reds and by season's end was the team's best reliever. Diaz heads into 2023 as Cincinnati's closer. Who are a few overlooked farmhands that could make the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster?

1. Unheralded farmhand Ricky Karcher could make the Reds 2023 Opening Day roster.

A lot of fans have yet to hear the name Ricky Karcher. If you're fortunate enough to see him during spring training, you're in for a treat. Karcher is power arm who throws absolute gas. The right-hander was added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster over the offseason in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Karcher split time in the minors last season between Chattanooga and Louisville while posting an impressive 35.1% strikeout-rate. But his walk-rate was rather hideous at nearly 16.0%. Still, opponents were barely able to hit over .200 against 25-year-old.

Karcher will be given a chance to make the Reds roster out of Goodyear. With Tejay Antone, Vladimir Gutierrez, and now Tony Santillan all expected to begin the season on the IL, the list of available relievers is beginning to wear thin.

Alexis Diaz and Daniel Duarte, both of whom were offseason additions to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster in 2021, made quite the impression on the coaching staff last spring and were part of the 2022 Opening Day roster. Ricky Karcher could receive a similar opportunity this spring.