This Reds prospect is poised skyrocket up the farm system rankings in 2023
The Cincinnati Reds, having fully embraced the idea of rebuilding the team from the inside out, are banking on some of their top prospects developing into everyday major league players.
Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson would appear to be part of the team's long-term focus, as are Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Alexis Diaz.
The team seems to be heavily invested in players like Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte as well. But there's one prospect who looks ready to skyrocket up the Cincinnati Reds farm system in 2023.
Reds OF prospect Ariel Almonte is poised to skyrocket up the farm system in 2023.
Ariel Almonte was one of the Cincinnati Reds international signees in 2021. At 17 years old, Almonte spent his first season in the Dominican Summer League. The outfielder hit .278/.398/.438 with a wRC+ of 137 in 48 games.
Last season, Almonte spent the year at the Arizona Complex League. The Dominican slashed .286/.390/.493 and posted a wRC+ of 141 in 42 games for the ACL Reds in 2022. It stands to reason that Almonte will be assigned to Low-A Daytona when play begins in 2023.
Almonte's power and patience at the plate are two key elements of his game that will translate well to the major leagues. In his first two professional seasons, Almonte has posted a .394 on-base percentage, a .464 slugging percentage and a walk-rate of 13.1%.
Yes, Almonte also has a strikeout-rate of 28.1%, but the much ballyhooed performance of Elly De La Cruz in 2022 yielded a strikeout-rate of 30.8% and a walk-rate of just 7.7%. But De La Cruz still posted an OPS of .945 and a wRC+ of 150 during his stops at High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga last season.
Ariel Almonte does not possess the same game-breaking speed of Elly De La Cruz, but the same power an above-average arm combined with his patient approach at the plate will make him a must-watch prospect in 2023.