As we near closer to the trade deadline on July 30th not only do we as fans need to know who our team may be targeting to help on that play-off push, and who other teams may be targeting on the team we root for. But we also need to know who the untouchables in our minor league systems are. The Reds have a very deep farm system with many players in all the different levels. They have so many, I felt that to do them all justice, I needed to divide them into untouchable hitters and untouchable pitchers. Therefore, this will be the first of a series of articles breaking down the trade deadline with the Red’s untouchables, trade chips, and trade targets for the Reds.

Cam Collier

For me, Cam should be their #1 offensive ranked player. For most, he is not. First, he is the son of former big league Lou Collier. I personally like bloodline players, they have been in clubhouses, and always have someone to bounce ideas off of because of it. I also like guys who make adjustments, who are willing to learn and who don’t think that what they have already done will get them to the big leagues. Cam has done that both at the plate and at third base since he has been with the Reds. This year’s slash line with high A Dayton is .232/.311/.404 I know, not eye-poping but he is improving, and he is only 19 years old. And, just won the MVP for the All-Star Futures Game.

Sal Stewart

Sal has been describer by his peers as a baseball rat, in the same way people who refer to athletes who work in the gym hours a day as gym rats. He is always working on his game. This past season, he walked more than he struck out, and when he hit it, he barreled up the baseball and had above average exit velocities. His High A Dayton slash line is .279/.391/.454 with 78 hits in 80 games. Yes, he is in the same place as Collier is, and they have become really good friends. They push each other, and I think if the Reds keep both of them they could become the 3rd and 2nd baseman of the future for the Reds. Sal does have one drawback, which kept him from being my #1 offensive prospect, he is not fleet of foot. But, he is currently working on a diet and exercise plan to hopefully improve that drawback.

Edwin Arroyo

There are no doubt about two of his tools. His defense is spectacular, and his speed is undeniable as he has swiped 56 bases over his first two seasons of pro ball, which amounts to roughly 239 total games. His arm and his fielding both have a scouting grade of 60 (on a scale where 60 is the max). Everything else is linked the word potential. He does not have much in the way of power, but he is a doubles machine. In his 239 total minor league games he has hit a total of 27 home runs he hit 28 doubles last year alone.

Arroyo is not a home-grown product, as he was in the Luis Castro deal with Seattle. He is only 20 years old and is 6’0″ and 175 pounds. But, he is currently on the injured list, and has been since spring training with a torn left labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder. Because of the injury, I put him at #3, instead of #1 like most other publications have him.

Alfredo Duno

MLB Pipeline has been tracking and ranking international amateur prospects since 2012. During that time, there have only been 3 catchers ever in any of the 30 organizations in their top 5 prospects. Diego Cartaya of the Dodgers, Ethan Salas, who is now with the Padres and Duno with the Reds. Duno often hits balls with the barrel of the bat, and he consistently makes hard contact. He is a catcher, a large catcher at 6’2″ 210 pounds but he is surprisingly agile for his size. His hit and power tools were both graded as a 50 and his arm strength behind the plate was graded as a 60. Every system is trying to get a Alfredo Duno, but very few systems have one, and the Reds do.

Rece Hinds

Hinds has always been known for his massive power at the plate. He needed experience and teaching to keep the power, but cut down on the K’s. Problem was, he was drafted in 2019, COVID ruined the 2020 season and a torn meniscus and a broken hamate bone in his hand further hampered that experience and training. Fast forward to 2023. From the start of the season until June 1st, he struck out 40% of the time. But from June 1st on, he used that experience and training to cut his strikeout rate from 40% to 27.7% and had a slash line of .304/.377/.617 with 18 home runs as well. He gained confidence, and he gained a 40 man roster spot. Two weeks ago he burst on the major league scene and set MLB records on his way to Player of the Week honors. He certainly will not be player of every week, but the tools are there to make plays and help this team win games every week. Also, to learn more about Rece Hinds check out our MiLB spotlight article that focuses on him right here.

The Best of the Rest

Currently, the Reds farm system as a whole as ranked by MLB.com is at #10. They also are one of the few farm systems with 5 players in the top 100 total prospects. Noelvi Marte, 3B/SS (#21); Rhett Lowder, RHP (#34); Edwin Arroyo, SS (#67); Connor Phillips, RHP (#70); Chase Petty, RHP, (#98). They have a good farm system, with some real talent. They also need to trade from a position of strength, that position is ShortStop. 8 of their top 30 prospects (not counting Arroyo) are SS’s. Almost anyone can use a top 30 SS Prospect and the realization that the Reds can’t play all 8 shortstops. Bottom line is that there are 5 offensive players that I would not trade as the deadline approaches, but this talented farm system has many other attractive pieces to offer.

Photo Credit; Yahoo Sports, New York Times, @alfredo Duno, Cincinnati Enquirer, and X

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