With the World Baseball Classic approaching, what better way to celebrate than to look at the current Cincinnati Reds roster and their roots? No matter the country or state they are from and where they played before the majors, they are now all working towards a common goal.
The Road to the Show for Everyone on the Reds Roster
Hunter Greene (SP) – Los Angeles, California, USA
Beginning with the starting rotation, the ace of the team, Hunter Greene, is from the Golden State, where he was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was a two-way phenom at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA. He was then drafted by the Reds second overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.
May 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Andrew Abbott (SP) – Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Up next is the All-Star starter Andrew Abbott, who was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Abbott would spend a full four years pitching at the University of Virginia. He opted to go the college route despite being drafted by the New York Yankees in the 36th round out of high school.
He was later drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Nick Lodolo (SP) – La Verne, California, USA
We have another Southern California native, as Nick Lodolo joins his rotation mate Hunter Greene as players from the LA area. Born in La Verne, Lodolo went on to play college baseball at Texas Christian University and was later drafted by the Reds with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Brady Singer (SP) – Leesburg, Florida, USA
Brady Singer, born and raised in Florida, is now entering his second season with the Reds. Born in Leesburg, Florida, he stayed in state for college baseball, pitching at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Rhett Lowder (SP) – Albemarle, North Carolina, USA
We now move to our first youngster on the roster, who was born in North Carolina. Like Singer, Rhett Lowder stayed in-state for college baseball, spending three years at Wake Forest. He was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Chase Burns (SP) – Naples, Italy
The Reds’ very own top prospect, Chase Burns, was born in Naples, Italy, where his parents were stationed in the U.S. Navy. He grew up in Tennessee and spent two seasons at the University of Tennessee. However, he played his third and final year of college baseball at Wake Forest before being taken second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Jun 30, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (26) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Emilio Pagan (RP) – Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA
Moving on from the starting rotation, Reds closer Emilio Pagan is a South Carolina product. He played college baseball at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, near Charlotte, and was drafted in the 10th round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Tony Santillan (RP) – Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Cincinnati’s big set-up man, Tony Santillan, is up next, and is the first Texan on the list. He went to Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas, and was drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft, originally as a position player.
Tony Santillan: bad guy pic.twitter.com/bEruKek7mR
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) September 25, 2025
Pierce Johnson (RP) – Denver, Colorado, USA
The newly acquired Pierce Johnson hails from the Mile High City. He played college baseball at Missouri State and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 43rd overall pick back in 2012.
Graham Ashcraft (RP) – Huntsville, Alabama, USA
Graham Ashcraft broke out in 2025 with a solid first season as a full-time reliever. He is from Huntsville, Alabama, and played college baseball at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He was drafted by the Reds in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Caleb Ferguson (RP) – Columbus, Ohio, USA
We have our first Ohio native in the form of newly acquired lefty Caleb Ferguson. Ferguson attended West Jefferson High School in West Jefferson, Ohio. He was drafted in 2014 by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 38th round of the MLB Draft.
Connor Phillips (RP) – Houston, Texas, USA
Connor Phillips is a young pitcher with tons of potential in the bullpen and is a product of Texas. He played college baseball at McLennan Community College in Texas and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 64th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Connor Phillips (34) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Pirates won 4-2.
Zach Maxwell (RP) – Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Zach Maxwell possesses an elite fastball and the elite nickname of “Big Sugar.” Maxwell played college baseball at Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Reds in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Luis Mey (RP) – San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Luis Mey, another young Reds bullpen arm with an electric fastball, was born in the Dominican Republic. He was signed by the Reds in 2018 as a non-drafted free agent during the international signing period.
Jose Trevino (C) – Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Moving on from the pitchers, we head to their battery mates. Starting with Jose Trevino, who is yet another Red from Texas. He will be spending his second season with the Reds. He played college baseball at Oral Roberts and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
Tyler Stephenson (C) – Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Cincinnati’s starting catcher, Tyler Stephenson, was born in Braves country. Stephenson attended Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Eugenio Suárez (DH/1B) – Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
Cincinnati is reuniting with Eugenio Suárez, who was born in Venezuela. He signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 2008 when he was 17 years old.
Sal Stewart (1B/DH) – Miami, Florida, USA
Sal Stewart, the Reds’ top hitting prospect, is looking to transition into a full-time first baseman. The 22-year-old was born in Miami, Florida, which is often known as a hub for baseball talent. He attended Westminster Christian High School and was drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Reds.
Spencer Steer (1B/LF) – Long Beach, California, USA
Spencer Steer’s playing time is in jeopardy due to his struggles and the new faces coming in. However, he still brings value to this team, especially on defense. He is yet another California kid who played college baseball at the University of Oregon. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Sep 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) prepares for the pitch in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Matt McLain (2B) – Orange, California, USA
Matt McLain is looking for a big bounce-back season. The first round pick of the 2021 MLB Draft joins Steer was another So-Cal kid, and stayed in state with UCLA for college baseball.
Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) – Tomball, Texas, USA
The Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes is another Red from the Lone Star State and was drafted straight out of Concordia Lutheran High School in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Elly De La Cruz (SS) – Savana Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic
The heart and soul of this Reds team is a product of the DR. De La Cruz will look to take the next leap in his game to help both him and the team.
JJ Bleday (LF) – Danville, Pennsylvania, USA
JJ Bleday is one of the many newcomers to the Reds ahead of the 2026 season. He was a first-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 and played college baseball at Vanderbilt.
TJ Friedl (CF) – Sweickley, Pennsylvania, USA
Cincinnati’s steady and consistent center fielder, TJ Friedl, joins Bleday as a Pennsylvania kid, but played college baseball at Nevada, and signed with the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
Sep 8, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) is congratulated by Noelvi Marte (16) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Noelvi Marte (RF) – Cotui, Dominican Republic
The former top prospect infielder has found a new home in right field in Cincinnati. Noelvi Marte will look to have a big year as the primary right fielder. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
(Main Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer /
USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)