4 promising Reds prospects who've failed to live up to their lofty draft status

2. Reds prospect Jay Allen has not lived up to his draft status

Jay Allen was drafted in 2021. Allen's selection was a result of the Cincinnati Reds slapping a Qualifying Offer on Trevor Bauer following his Cy Young campaign in 2020. In return, the Reds received an additional draft pick after the first-round.

After being drafted, Allen played 19 games in the Arizona Complex League and showed everyone why Cincinnati selected him with the 30th-overall pick that year. Allen hit .328/.440/.557. But Allen's raw talents have yet to translate to the minor leagues the past two seasons.

The following year, those prestine numbers took a hit. Allen spent time with Low-A Daytona and High-A Dayton but posted a slash line of just .225/.347/.324. Allen was bitten by the injury bug this season and the speedy outfielder managed an OPS of just .570 while playing in 31 games.

The hope, entering spring training in 2024, is that Jay Allen is 100-percent healthy. A thumb injury put the 21-year-old out of commission for most of the 2023 season.

A three-sport athlete in high school, Allen's athletic ability is through the roof. Allen will likely stick in center field due to his speed and above-average arm. The Cincinnati Reds need to see more next season, and a healthy-version of Allen could help. Next season will provide a proving grounds of sorts for the outfielder to show he can be part of the long-term future.