Several Reds prospects shined during the 1st week of 2022 MiLB season

While most of attention throughout Reds Country was focused on their team's series split with the defending World Series champions, several of the Cincinnati Reds minor league talents were putting on a show down on the farm.

The Reds made a decision earlier this offseason to invest heavily in their farm system. Gone are Amir Garrett, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez, and Sonny Gray. In return, Cincinnati received some promising young prospects, and one of them had a stellar debut last week.

Several Reds minor league prospects shined this week.

Connor Phillips, the player to be named later in the Cincinnati Reds' trade with the Seattle Mariners, threw up zeroes during his first game with the Dayton Dragons. Phillips went five innings, struck out five batters, allowed just two hits, and no runs dented the plate.

Relative unknown Julian Aguiar may have had the best pitching performance over the weekend. Last year's 12th-round draft pick went five innings for the Daytona Tortugas and punched out seven opposing hitters. Aguiar worked a perfect five frames, as the right-hander didn't allow a hit or even a walk.

On the hitting side of things, several of the Cincinnati Reds outfield prospects made a great first impression. Tj Friedl, Michael Siani, Rece Hinds, and Jay Allen all had their moments during the first week of the 2022 season.

Friedl, who's bound to get a call-up to the big leagues at some point this season, hit .263/.417/.474 in six games for the Louisville Bats. Friedl was one of the last players cut during spring training, and the left-handed hitting outfielder will be ready when his number is called.

Siani will be one of the more interesting Reds prospects to follow all season. The former fourth-round draft pick went 3-for-8 in his first three games with the Chattanooga Lookouts. Siani also drew five walks. If the speedster can learn how to get on base effectively, it won't be long before he makes his way to the big leagues.

Hinds is making the transition from the infield dirt to the outfield grass. But rather than moving Hinds from third base to center field, like the Reds did with former first-round pick Nick Senzel, the 2019 second-round draft choice has played right field during the first two games of the 2022 season. Hinds already has a home run and a double on the young season.

Finally, Allen has the potential to be one of the Cincinnati Reds fastest risers this season. The 19-year-old went 5-for-10 in his first taste of action in Low-A Daytona. Allen, along with Elly De La Cruz, could be the Reds 'must watch' prospects this season.