Ranking every player on the Reds roster after adding Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán

Ranking the Reds 40-man roster: Cream of the crop

5. Graham Ashcraft, Reds pitcher

Graham Ashcraft's 2024 season ended on a sour note, but after returning from his first trip to the IL, the right-hander seemed to have ironed out some of the issues that plagued him during the middle of the season. Ashcraft was the Cincinnati Reds best starter in 2023, and will look to build off that success heading into next season.

4. TJ Friedl, Reds outfielder

The Reds MVP last season was TJ Friedl. The centerfielder played above-average defense, displayed speed on the base paths, and got on base by any means necessary. Friedl gets the absolute most out of his God-given abilities, and is one of Cincinnati's best players.

3. Spencer Steer, Reds infielder/ outfielder

Spencer Steer didn't receive a lot of love from the Baseball Writers' Association of America when it came to the NL Rookie of the Year voting, but that won't be the case here. Steer led the Reds in home runs last season, and Cincinnati manager David Bell was able to plug and play the rookie all over the diamond in 2023.

2. Alexis Diaz, Reds pitcher

It's wild that a reliever is ranked this high, but Alexis Diaz was that good in 2023. While several of the Reds hurlers experienced a sophomore slump last season, Diaz was even better than expected. The right-hander will enter next season as the undisputed closer.

1. Matt McLain, Reds infielder

Matt McLain's oblique injury over the final month of the season may have been the biggest factor that kept the Cincinnati Reds out of the postseason. McLain looks the part and could be a foundational piece of the Reds franchise moving forward.

McLain can hit for average, hit for power, play above-average defense, and displayed above-average speed. McLain has the potential to be that five-tool player that every GM wants on their squad.