In just a matter of weeks, the Cincinnati Reds will touch down in Goodyear, Arizona to begin spring training. Reds pitchers and catchers report to the team facility on Wednesday, February 12th and full squad workouts begin the following week on Monday, February 17th.
New Reds manager Terry Francona is quite familiar with the sights and sounds of Goodyear. After 11 years in the opposing dugout at Goodyear Stadium as the skipper of the Cleveland Guardians, Francona will shift his focus toward turning the Reds into a playoff contender. The Reds and Guardians will open Cactus League play on Saturday, February 22nd at 3:05 p.m. ET.
Reds News: Robo-umps will be used in spring training
Major League Baseball will be bringing robo-umps to spring training this year. After being utilized in the minor leagues last season, MLB's automated ball-strike system (ABS) will be deployed this spring in both Cactus League and Grapefruit League games. According to The Athletic, the new technology will be available for 25 of the Reds' spring training games this year.
This spring's evaluation of the new process will employ a "challenge" system, meaning that umpires will still be calling balls and strikes, but players have the opportunity to challenge the call on the field. Each team is limited to just two challenges — but if successful, the team retains its challenge.
Reds News: Jonny Gomes becomes full-time sports agent
Move over Scott Boras, here's Jonny! Former major league outfielder and Reds' fan-favorite Jonny Gomes has a new job. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Gomes joined Indie Pro Sports Agency and will be a full-time agent.
Gomes' 13-year history as a player will certainly help him communicate with his clients, and his infectious personality is sure to carry over to his new career. Perhaps Gomes can help some of the Reds young players negotiate a new long-term deal to stay put in the city of Cincinnati.
Reds News: Five prospects ranked among top 100
While Baseball America only believes the Reds have three top-100 prospects heading into 2025,MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 prospects ahead of the upcoming season and recognized five Cincinnati players among the best in the sport. Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Sal Stewart, Cam Collier, and Edwin Arroyo all cracked the top-100.
Both Burns and Lowder rank among the top 50, while Stewart (84), Collier (91), and Arroyo (92) just snuck in to the top 100. All five players received non-roster invites to Reds spring training and will be on the field with their big league counterparts next month.