MLB Pipeline's power-hitter rankings is bad news for these 3 Reds prospects

MLB Pipeline just came out with their newest prospect power-hitting rankings. Most Reds fans can probably guess who's sitting atop Cincinnati's team's farm system in that category.

That's right, the highly-touted Elly De La Cruz comes in No. 1 in the Cincinnati Reds farm system among players with pop.

But that's not necessarily good news all the way around. De La Cruz the makings of a five-tool player, but after signing with the Reds in 2019, his power was not the reason Cincinnati inked him to a contract. That cannot be said for several others in the farm system.

These Reds prospects need to live up to their potential.

While it's great to see Elly De La Cruz transform himself into not only a contact hitter, but a power-hitter as well. The Cincinnati Reds made some decision in the past with power in mind. It just so happens that those decisions have not yielded the best results.

As far as power-hitters go, players like Rece Hinds, Austin Hendrick, and Allan Cerda were supposed to be the trio of outfielders packing a punch. Instead, De La Cruz is grabbing headlines while Hinds, Hendrick, and Cerda are looking for answers.

The aforementioned trio all have 20-plus home run potential. The problem is the strikeout-rate between the three is utterly abysmal. Cerda's performance was so bad that he was designated for assignment this past offseason and outrighted to the minor leagues.

This year is shaping up to be a make-or-break for Hinds. The former second-round pick made a trip to the Arizona Fall League late last year. Hinds struck out 35 times in 22 games and posted an on-base percentage of just .278.

Hendrick might be the one from this group with the best chance of breaking out in 2023. A former first-round pick, the cancellation of both his senior season of high school and the minor leauge season in 2020 certainly slowed his progress.

Still, Hendrick struck out 165 times in 110 games last season while slugging .433. While Hendrick still has time to develop, at least moreso than the other two, his 2023 campaign could greatly affect his trajectory in the minds of the Cincinnati Reds' brass.