Reds front office reinforces flawed MLB Draft strategy with 2025 first-round pick

The Cincinnati Reds were looking to make a splash in the 2025 MLB Draft and did just that after selecting Steele Hall with the ninth-overall pick. This was one of Cincinnati's three selections on Day 1, though the Reds did trade away their Competitive Balance pick to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the deal for Gavin Lux this past offseason.

The Reds have made a habit in recent years of drafting college pitchers. In 2023, Cincinnati selected Rhett Lowder out of Wake Forest with the seventh-overall pick in the draft. Last year, the Reds doubled down on that same strategy and went with fellow Wake Forest alum Chase Burns at No. 2 overall.

But this year, it would appear that Cincinnati is going to the high school ranks in Round 1 for the first time since 2022. That year, the Reds grabbed both Cam Collier and Sal Stewart with back-to-back picks. Collier is currently at Double-A, while Stewart was just promoted to Triple-A.

The Reds select Steele Hall with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft

Hall is a highly-rated shortstop prospect out of Hewitt-Trussville in Alabama. The 17-year-old reclassified for the 2025 MLB Draft last fall and his elite speed will remind Reds fans of All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

That, however, is where the frustration comes in. Reds fans have continually seen Cincinnati grab countless shortstops in recent drafts while ignoring the outfield. Granted, there weren't any outfielders who warranted consideration for a top-10 pick this year, but both Jamie Arnold and Kyson Witherspoon were still on the board when the Reds made their selection. You can never have enough pitching, right?

During the past two drafts, the Reds have added high school shortstops in Round 2. Both Sammy Stafura and Tyson Lewis offer similar profiles to Hall, and all three play the same position.

Hall is viewed by MLB Pipeline as a prospect who could hit for 15-plus homers per season and a virtual lock to stick at shortstop due to his elite athleticism. The pick itself is not necessarily a bad one, but Reds fans are growing tired of Nick Krall and the Reds front office continually grabbing shortstops with early-round picks.

In addition to De La Cruz, Stafura, and Lewis, the Reds also have Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte — both of whom came up through the minors as shortstops — along with Ricky Cabrera, Leo Balcazar, and Edwin Arroyo.

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