Reds executive floored by Steele Hall’s upside in bold post-draft comment

The Cincinnati Reds selected Alabama prep star Steele Hall with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Because of Cincinnati's abundance of shortstop talent in the minor leagues, a certain segment of Reds fans are understandably questioning the selection. However, Reds amateur scouting director Joe Katuska revealed exactly why Cincinnati was so high on Hall, and it could change the way some fans think about the team's top draft choice.

"If you stacked him up against juniors out there, we thought that if you lined him up at the end of the summer and into next year's draft, he might be a guy you're talking about at the No. 1 overall pick," Katuska told reporters after the Reds' first-round selection. That should fire up the Cincinnati faithful, right?

Hall reclassified for the 2025 MLB Draft and is still just 17 years old. An elite-level athlete, Hall's speed had scouts drooling all summer long. The newest Reds' prospect even believes he could beat Elly De La Cruz in a foot race. Reds fans may have to see that to believe it, but there's no doubt that Hall's upside is through the roof.

Reds executive floored by Steele Hall’s upside in bold post-draft comment

However,, it'll take the youngster several years before he's ready to make an impact at the Major League level. Cincinnati selected Cam Collier during Round 1 of the 2022 MLB Draft, and he's still just scratching the surface of his potential while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts at the Double-A level.

The Reds drafted another prep shortstop in Tyson Lewis last summer, and he didn't make his professional debut until this season. It'll be curious to see if Cincinnati uses that same philosophy with Hall. Lewis was an incredibly raw talent, but has flashed major potential in the Arizona Summer League this season.

Taking a high school player in Round 1 of the MLB Draft always comes with some level of risk — see former Reds' first-round pick Austin Hendrick — but organizations are oftentimes looking for upside when it comes to these types of players. Hall has the potential to be star in the league, but Reds fans must exercise patience as he slowly makes his way through the minor leagues in the coming years.

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