Reds surprisingly avoid doing this on Day 1 of the MLB Draft for the first time since 2016

The Cincinnati Reds landed some college and high school talent that they hope will yield some positive results in the big leagues someday. Cincinnati landed junior college third baseman Cam Collier in Round 1 and followed that up by snagging the heavy-hitting Florida high school product Sal Stewart.

Cincinnati grabbed one of the top catching prospects in the draft at No. 55. Logan Tanner from Mississippi State was taken in Round 2. With their final pick of the evening, the Reds took Oregon State outfielder Justin Boyd.

Surprisingly, however, the Cincinnati Reds did not take a pitcher with any of their first four selections. This is the first time since 2016 that Cincinnati has not grabbed a hurler in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft.

Reds avoid taking a pitcher on Day 1 of the 2022 MLB Draft.

The last time the Cincinnati Reds avoided taking a pitcher during the first two rounds of the MLB Draft was 2016. Nick Senzel was the No. 2 overall pick that year and Cincinnati took Taylor Trammell with their competitive balance pick. Catcher Chris Okey was taken in Round 2.

In 2017, the Reds took flamethrower Hunter Greene with the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Greene is enjoying a rollercoaster rookie season with the Reds in 2022. The 22-year-old leads all rookies in strikeouts, but also has surrendered more home runs (23) than any pitcher in baseball.

The Reds took Lyon Richardson with their second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery before the season began and will not throw in 2022. Richardson's 2023 season will be a make it or break it year for the right-hander.

Nick Lodolo was the Cincinnati Reds first-round pick in 2019. The left-hander joined Cincinnati's 40-man roster this season and is expected to be a key piece of the Reds starting rotation moving forward.

In the abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft, Cincinnati took Christian Roa out of Florida State in the second round. Roa has dealt with his fair share of injuries during the early-going of his professional career and he's still at High-A Dayton.

Last year, the Reds took Andrew Abbott with the 53rd overall selection in the draft. The left-hander has moved up the the ranks quickly and took part in the Futures Game last weekend. Abbott is currently at Double-A Chattanooga and has been quite impressive since joining the Reds organization last year.

It's a good bet that the Cincinnati Reds will look to load up on arms during Rounds 3-10 on Day 2 of the 2022 MLB Draft. According to MLB Pipeline, seven of the Reds Top 15 prospects are pitchers.