The Reds saw a lot of young talent make their Major League debut in 2023. The 2024 Dayton Dragons might hold the next crop to debut in the not so distant future. The Dragons currently have 8 of the organizations top 30 prospects. Here are 3 of my favorites.
Cam Collier:
Cam Collier was the Reds 1st pick in the 2022 at just 17 years old. Cam struggled early on in low A Daytona in 2023 but started to get his groove near the end of the season. The team’s number 4 prospect started the 2024 season off with a bang in Dayton, batting .298, slugging .607 with 7 home runs. May hasn’t been kind to Collier as he’s batting just .164 with 1 home run and a slugging percentage of .246. I don’t see his struggles lasting long, however, Cam has a good approach at the plate leading to good opposite field power. Cam’s more underrated skill is defense. He shows good athleticism and arm strength, having just 3 errors this season with a fielding percentage of .939. His current ETA for the big league club is 2026.
Sal Stewart
The 2nd draft pick for the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 was 3rd baseman Sal Stewart. The team’s 7th ranked prospect was a 1st round compensation pick for the departure of Nick Castellanos in free agency. Sal progressed quicker than expected, earning a promotion to High A Dayton in his first full season. Stewart has an impressive approach for his age, connecting for solid contact with power and drawing more walks than strikeouts. Primarily a 3rd baseman, he’s being used more at 2nd base with Cam Collier getting more time at 3rd. His current ETA for the big league club is 2026, but with his intelligent hitting approach and ability to play multiple positions, Stewart could rise through the ranks sooner than later.
Hector Rodriguez
Rodriguez was acquired by Cincinnati in the Tyler Naquin trade in July 2022. He has an outstanding ability to not strike out. Used almost exclusively in centerfield now, Rodriguez has line drive power to all fields and has shown improved ability at getting lift on his swings, translating into more home runs. If he can show better strike zone awareness and plate discipline, Hector could see himself rising through the Reds farm system. Current ETA is 2026
So, there you have it. This team in Dayton Ohio at Day Air Credit Union Ballpark is a fun bunch of young talented ball players. Where just in the past week, they hit 4 home runs and collected 19 hits as a team on Sunday en route to a 15-2 win. Then this past Thursday, SP Javi Rivera went 6 innings, striking out 11 while issuing no walks and just 1 hit in a 6-0 victory. The future looks bright for the Reds and some of these Dayton Dragons may be here before you know it.
Photo Credit; Dayton Daily News
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