1 over-hyped Reds prospect at each minor league level who'll disappoint in 2023

Reds prospects: Malvin Valdez could disappoint at Low-A Daytona

As is the case with Jay Allen, a young prospect like Malvin Valdez is going to receive some grace. At just 19 years old, Valdez has barely played stateside. Not every prospect is Elly De La Cruz, but Valdez will need to show some improve heading into 2023.

Valdez was a Top 30 prospect within the Cincinnati Reds organization as recent as two years ago. According to MLB Pipeline, Vladez is chock full of tools. Valdez received a $1.9-million signing bonus as an International free agent in 2021.

Valdez will be playing alongside fellow 2021 signee Ariel Almonte. The left-handed slugger has succeeded where Valdez has failed. Almote playe 42 games in the Arizona Complex League last season and slashed .286/.390/.493 while Valdez hit just .219/.336/.307.

Valdez profiles more as a centerfielder while Almonte is targeting a role as a corner outfielder. With both prospects looking to impress the Reds brass, it's imperative that Valdez at least stands out on the defensive side of things. The 6-foot-2 outfield prospect has wheels.

Malvin Valdez is not in need of a breakout season, but getting that batting average up and increasing the power numbers will atop his to-do list in 2023. If he can't improve in those areas, it's quite possible that other prospects will leapfrog him moving forward