Reds’ terrible 2020 draft class takes another hit with latest waiver claim

The Cincinnati Reds' 2020 draft class may go down as the worst in the franchise's history. On Friday, another player who was taken by the Reds in 2020 MLB Draft was sent packing. The Miami Marlins plucked Christian Roa off waivers, leaving Austin Hendrick as the only member of Cincinnati's 2020 draft class who's still part of the organization — and he's not very good.

Roa, who was a second-round pick, was added to the Reds' 40-man roster last offseason, and was a sure-fire bet to be ousted in the coming days. Cincinnati needs to clear a handful of spots in order to reinstate several players from the 60-day IL, and after Roa's subpar performance last season (that ended with him on the injured list), he was an obvious candidate to be removed.

Reds’ terrible 2020 draft class takes another hit after Marlins claim Christian Roa off waivers

Roa has yet to make his Major League debut. A former Texas A&M Aggie, Roa pitched in 23 games for the Louisville Bats in 2024. The right-hander was moved out of the Bats' rotation, with only four starts in his 23 appearances, and posted an alarming 5.55 ERA. Roa wasn't much better in 2023 with a 5-9 record and 5.16 ERA while splitting time at both Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds 2020 draft class included Hendrick, Roa, Jackson Miller, Bryce Bonnin, Mac Wainwright, and Joe Boyle. Hendrick is strikeout-machine who hit .188/.243/.288 in Double-A last season. Miller retired after injuries barely allowed him to see the field as prospect, and Bonnin is now part of the Red Sox organization. Disturbing accusations shortly after being drafted derailed Wainwright's career, and Boyle was traded to the Oakland A's in 2023 in exchange for Sam Moll.

So while the Marlins' acquisition of Roa is no big loss, the fact that Cincinnati may come away from that year's draft without a single Major League contributor is truly damaging. Thankfully, the Reds were able to find a skilled teenager during the 2018 international signing period that may help to offset Cincinnati's catastrophic decision making during the 2020 MLB Draft. That young player, of course, was Elly De La Cruz who signed for just $65,000 that summer.

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