Reds eliminated from the MLB playoffs, but the future is bright in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds couldn't overcome a slow start on Saturday night, and their playoff aspirations went up in smoke. The Reds fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 15-6.

It was a bitter end to what was a fantastic season. While Cincinnati still has one game remaining, the Reds are officially eliminated from the 2023 MLB Postseason.

Reds rookie Connor Phillips just didn't have it on Saturday night and walked the first three batters he faced on just 12 pitches. The floodgates opened after that, and Cincinnati trailed 10-0 after the second inning.

Reds eliminated from the MLB playoffs, but the future is bright in Cincinnati

But Reds fans should be excited for what the future holds. The Cincinnati Reds came into the 2023 campaign having lost 100 games the previous season. However, David Bell's group rallied together and put together a winning season for the third time in three seasons.

The unquestioned leader of this year's team was second Jonathan India. He, along with Tyler Stephenson and Joey Votto, helped to anchor this year's club and usher in a new group of enthusiatic young rookies.

Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Brandon Williamson, and Andrew Abbott all made their major league debuts in 2023. This Reds team also featured the young talent of TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, and Alexis Diaz.

The Reds were decimated by injuries this season, especially to their starting rotation. Of their 2023 Opening Day rotation, only Hunter Greene remained on the active roster at the end of the season.

The Cincinnati Reds tore down the roster prior to the 2022 season, but the rebuild has been accelerated thanks in large part to the influx of young talent who are already producing at a high level.

There's no doubt that last night's lost to the St. Louis Cardinals stings, especially after watching the Arizona Diamondbacks fall to the Houston Astros. But the 2023 season was always about prepping these young players for the future. Mission: Accomplished.