2 Reds prospects who have no shot to make the Opening Day roster and 1 who's a shoo-in

The Cincinnati Reds have invited a bevy of prospects to spring training this year. Elly De La Cruz headlines a talented, young group of players who are hoping to break in to the big leauges this season.

But just because a prospect is invited to major league spring training or even part of the 40-man roster is no guarantee that a player will break camp with the big league club. In fact, the chances are oftentimes stacke against them.

Last year, Hunter Greene, Alexis Diaz, and Dauri Moreta were part of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster, but Matt McLain and Graham Ashcraft did not make the cut. Which two prospects have no shot at making the Opening Day roster and which top prospect is a shoo-in?

Connor Phillips has no shot to make the Reds Opening Day roster.

Connor Phillips went from relative obscurity in 2021 to, perhaps, the key acquisition in the trade with the Seattle Mariners last spring. Phillips was the player to be name later in the preseason trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to the Emerald City.

Phillips was the 64th overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft and has done nothing but rack up the punch outs in the minors. Phillips has 261 strikeouts in just over 185 innings pitched over the past two seasons.

Unfortunately, Philips also has 112 walks in that same time span. That will have to be his primary focus in 2023 in order to eventually make it to the big leagues. If Phillips is unable to correct that aspect of his game, the idea of the right-hander will become a pipe dream.

Connor Phillips and Andrew Abbott both ended last season at Double-A Chattanooga. The pitching duo may begin the 2023 season back at Double-A despite being non-roster invitees to big league camp this spring. It'll be great for Phillips to get experience in the Cactus League, but he has no shot of making the Reds Opening Day roster.