A snapshot of the Reds third base prospects in the minor leagues

Kyle Farmer is the most likely player to occupy third base for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day nest season. Farmer was shifted from shortstop to third base after the Reds promoted shrotstop prospect Jose Barrero to the big leagues.

While Barrero's future at shortstop is questionable at best, it's unlikely that Farmer will return to the position he occupied before the majority of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Mike Moustakas is another option to play third base, but his future with the Reds is even more clouded than Barrero's. Moose is under contract through the 2023 season and it's going to cost the Reds $22M.

A snapshot of the Reds third base prospects in the minor leagues.

The first question in terms of third base prospects is whether or not Christian Encarnacion-Strand will stay at the hot corner or move to first base. With so many talented third basemen in the farm system and so few who eventually replace Joey Votto, it would make sense to transition Encarnacion-Strand into a first baseman.

Speaking of transitioning to a new position, Noelvi Marte has been lining up at third base while playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. Look for Cincinnati to go all-in on a left side of the infield that includes Marte at third base and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop.

The Reds have two third base prospects who were traded to the organization last season. Nick Quintana came to the Reds courtesy of the Tucker Barnhart trade with the Detroit Tigers and Nick Northcutt was part of the deal that sent Tommy Pham to the Boston Red Sox. Both are little more than depth at the position in the minors, though Quintana had a nice season in 2022.

The Cincinnati Reds also have two very young third base prospects who will be fun to watch next season. The club drafted Cam Collier and Sal Stewart last year. Both are third base prospects, but that could change as the duo develop moving into the future.