Reds' top prospect will help to usher in Cincinnati's infield of the future

Virtually every position in the Cincinnati Reds’ infield could become a revolving door of platoons, utility options, and managerial whims. Even shortstop could be in flux if Terry Francona sees fit to give Elly De La Cruz a few days at DH here and there. Positional flexibility can be an asset, but instability certainly is not. Luckily, by the end of this season, the Reds’ infield of the future could be locked into place.

By August or September, Edwin Arroyo should be ready for his first taste of the big leagues. Rather than further crowding the infield, the Top 100 prospect may be the key that unlocks the lineup. 

A September call-up of Edwin Arroyo may preview the Reds' infield of the future

Arroyo could have been in the picture for an earlier debut had he not missed all of 2024 due to surgery to address a shoulder injury he sustained in spring training. Thankfully, he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League. While his power has dipped (though the sample size was small), he didn’t appear to have lost a step on the field or the base paths.

Arroyo is now with the team in Goodyear as a non-roster invitee. So far he seems to be focusing on shortstop — which is his primary position — under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. There are few middle infield prospects ahead of Arroyo in the system, so he should remain at the position as he rises through the ranks. His ultimate destination, though, is likely not going to be at short.

That is, of course, because of superstar Elly De La Cruz. Given Francona’s emphasis on baserunning and fielding (two areas in which De La Cruz makes some careless mistakes), he should be even better in 2025. It’s hard to imagine anyone supplanting the potential MVP candidate at his preferred position.

Instead, we’re heading towards an infield shuffle. Arroyo has already seen time at second base, and if his power comes along, he could be a weapon at the position. That would send Matt McLain to third, where he got some game time in the AFL. First base remains a bit murky, but at least the Reds wouldn’t have to fill in both corner spots.

A McLain-De La Cruz-Arroyo infield gives the Reds enough young talent to tide the team over until the next duo of prospects, Sam Stewart and Cam Collier, arrives. So while it all seems chaotic at the moment, security may not be too far off.

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