2 outfield prospects who will be added to the Reds roster and 1 who will not

The Cincinnati Reds outfield, once the team's biggest strength with All-Stars Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos, has become one of the team's biggest weaknesses.

Nick Senzel, while relatively healthy in 2022, hasn't yet lived up to the hype and may be in line to change roles heading into next season. Aristides Aquino has made some changes of late, but is he truly a long-term answer in right field? TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley have flashed brilliance this season, but is it sustainable?

There seems to be more questions than answers when it comes to the future of the Cincinnati outfield. Which young Reds prospects will be added to the team's 40-man roster this offseason, and who might still be waiting in the wings?

Reds OF prospect TJ Hopkins will be added to the 40-man roster.

A ninth-round selection out of the University of South Carolina back in 2019, TJ Hopkins has made the most of the opportunities he's received in 2022. After posting an OPS of .800 at Double-A Chattanooga earlier this season, Hopkins was promoted to Triple-A Louisville where he's haad even more success.

Hopkins has played a little less than 20 games at Triple-A this season, but has an OPS of over .950. The Cincinnati Reds lack of an right-handed outfield power bat outside of Aristides Aquino would seem to work in Hopkins' favor.

TJ Hopkins will be 26 years old heading into next season, so now is the time for the Cincinnati Reds to see what they have in the former Gamecocks outfielder. Hopkins has the defensive versatility to play all three outfield spots. Hopkins played primarily center field in college, but his lack of arm strength seems to have found him playing left field more times than not in the minor leagues.

With his advanced age and power bat, you'd have to imagine that another team might look to acquire the outfielder in the Rule 5 Draft. Cincinnati would be wise to hedge their bets and add TJ Hopkins to the Reds 40-man roster this offseason.