5 Reds prospects to watch at Double-A Chattanooga in 2023

4. Reds prospects to watch at Double-A Chattanooga in 2023: Rece Hinds

This is a make-or-break season for former second-round draft pick Rece Hinds. The Cincinnati Reds sent Hinds to the Arizona Fall League last year, and all he proved was that he needed to keep working on making contact.

Hinds is starting to give off Aristides Aquino vibes; staggering power from the right side of the plate, but far too many swings and misses. Hinds had a strikeout-rate north of 40-percent in 2022, and gave no reason to believe that it's going to get any better.

The Reds already made the decision to move Hinds off third base. The 22-year-old is now playing in the outfield, and the reports are good in terms of his adjustment defensively. But that's not going to matter one bit if he can't put the bat on the ball.

Hinds is entering a crucial point in his professional career. Injuries have hurt Hinds' development, and like so many others, the slugger missed a full season of minor league baseball due the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it's put up or shut up time for Rece Hinds. He made to Double-A Chattanooga last season, but only for a handful of games. The Reds will have a choice this fall about whether or not to protect HInds from the Rule 5 Draft. This season will go a long way toward deciding his fate when it comes to a 40-man roster spot.