These unfamiliar Reds prospects are off to hot starts and you should get to know them

Who are these guys?

Daytona second baseman Dominic Pitelli (3) tags out
Daytona second baseman Dominic Pitelli (3) tags out / David TuckerNews-Journal / USA TODAY

Reds fans were keenly aware of the team's minor league prospects last season. The Cincinnati faithful were looking at box scores and tuning into minor league games just to see how well the likes of Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand were performing.

This season, the top prospects in the Cincinnati Reds farm system are not necessarily knocking on the door of the major leagues. Chase Petty, Cam Collier, and Sal Stewart are all notable names, but aren't expected to make it the big leagues in 2024.

There are some lesser known Reds prospects, however, who may soon put themselves on the map. Blake Dunn wasn't a household name last season, and could now be the first Reds prospect elevated to the active roster this season. Who are some unknown Reds prospects off to a hot start in 2024?

These unknown Reds prospects are coming out of the gates strong in 2024

Brian Edgington, RHP - Daytona Tortugas

Brian Edgington was a college free agent who signed with the Reds following last year's draft. Edgington began his career at Elon University followed by a stop at Andrew Abbott's old stomping grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a member of the Cavaliers in 2023, Edgington appeared in 18 games including 15 starts and owned 3.57 ERA with 94 punch outs over 88.1 innings of work.

The Reds assigned Edgington to Low-A Daytona to begin his 2024 campaign after spending last season in the Arizona Complex League. In two starts this season, Edgington has compiled 10 strikeouts in nine innings with a 0.556 WHIP. At 25 years old, it's easy to assume that Edgington will move through the Reds farm system quickly if he has sustained success.

Dominic Pitelli, SS - Daytona Tortuga

Dominic Pitelli is lost in the shuffle of all the shortstops currently in the Reds farm system. The University of Miami was a seventh-round pick of the Reds in 2023 and hit .203/263/.297 at Low-A Daytona last season.

Pitelli is off to a hot-start in 2024. The left-handed hitting infielder is 11-for-23 (.478) with six extra-base hits, including two home runs. Despite the Reds having Victor Acosta, Sheng-En Lin, and Edwin Arroyo in the farm system, fans should not let Pitelli's presence go unnoticed.

Kevin Abel, RHP - Dayton Dragons

Kevin Abel might be a bit more of a recognizahle name in the Reds minor league system, simply because he's been around since 2021. A starting pitcher at Oregon State, Abel is currently tossing for the Dayton Dragons - the Reds High-A affiliate.

Abel started seven games for the Dragons in 2023, and has seen the mound just once in 2024. But that first outing saw Abel mow down 14 of the 16 batters he faced, with a solo home run being the only blemish on his stat sheet. After walking nearly six batters per nine innings pitched last season, Abel allowed just one walk during his 2024 debut. If he can improve his control, Abel could be a pitcher to watch this season.

Adam Serwinowski, LHP - Daytona Torgugas

If Adam Serwinowski can refine his control, the left-hander has an opportunity to eventually work his way to the major leagues. Serwinowski is among the Reds top-30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, and was the team's 15th round pick in 2022.

Serwinowski is a developmental, 19-year-old lefty who has all the stuff to compete in the big leagues, and his first start of 2024 showed what makes him so intriguing. Serwinowski struck out six batters during his 2024 debut and didn't issue a walk while allowing just one hit. There's a lot to like about Serwinowski, but it's going to require patience on the part of the Reds organization.

More Reds News from Blog Red Machine

manual