Forgotten Reds prospect from Tommy Pham trade has power-filled, breakout performance

Tommy Pham spent just 91 games in the Queen City wearing a Cincinnati Reds uniform. The former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder probably gained more notoriety for slapping San Francisco Giants slugger Joc Pederson than he did for his play on the field last season.

When the trade deadline approached in 2022, Pham was destined to be dealt. The Reds were looking for pieces to field a competitive team in the future, and Pham was on a one-year pact.

Just before the deadline ended, Pham was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The PTBNL ended up being Nick Northcut.

Who did the Reds receive in exchange for Tommy Pham?

Nick Northcut, a Cincinnati native that graduated from nearby William Mason High School, was drafted in the 11th round in 2018. The corner infielder that has shown some growing pains this season while playing for the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts.

But just this past week, Northcutt took over a game against the Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate). Batting eighth for the Lookouts, Northcut received his first at-bat in the third inning of a 1-0 game, where he would crush a 1-2 pitch for a home run, promptly tying the game.

His second at-bat would come just one inning later against the same pitcher; one of the Cubs top prospects, Jordan Wicks. After receiving an automatic strike to begin the at-bat, Northcut smashed a 2-1 pitch from Wicks for his second home run in as many at-bats.

Northcut wouldn't make much noise again until the game went to extras. In the 11th inning of a tie ball game, Northcut sent his third home run of the night out of the ballpark to break the tie and give the Chattanooga Lookouts the lead for good.

Nick Northcut's three-homer night wasn't just a career-night, but could be his breakout game and springboard to bigger and better things to come in 2023. Northcutt had only one home run coming into this game, but left the ballpark with four on the season.