Ranking the Reds top 10 rookie performers from the 2023 season

9. Daniel Duarte, Reds rookie pitcher

Daniel Duarte was actually added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster during the 2021-22 offseason and made his major laegue debut in 2022. Along with Alexis Diaz, Duarte showed promise during the Reds' 2022 spring training and was part of Cincinnati's Opening Day roster that year.

Unfortunately, an elbow injury put Duarte on the shelf for the remainder of the season after pitching in just three games during the 2022 season. This year, Duarte was signed to a minor league deal during the offseason and was a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Though he didn't make the Opening Day roster, Duarte worked hard while down on the farm and eventually received a call-up to the major leagues. Duarte's perseverance paid off, and the right-hander became a key piece of a Cincinnati bullpen that overachieved in 2023.

Daniel Duarte looks like a keeper. There were even times in 2023 where David Bell leaned hard on Duarte with so many other relievers absolutely gassed due to overuse. Not sure how Duarte will fit into the Reds bullpen in 2024, but there's a good chance that the 26-year-old will break camp with the big league team.