{"id":546786,"date":"2026-01-31T00:31:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T00:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/546786\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T00:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T00:31:20","slug":"cincinnati-reds-top-50-prospects-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/546786\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Reds Top 50 Prospects (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nTop 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack<\/a> on Twitter<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Reds<\/p>\n

NL Central
2025 record: 83-79 (3rd)<\/p>\n

MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Louisville Bats
Double-A: Chattanooga Lookouts
High-A: Dayton Dragons
Single-A: Daytona Tortugas<\/p>\n

2025 End-Of-Season farm system rank: #16
Jeremy Mahy\u2019s organization take from our 2025 End-Of-Season Farm System Rankings<\/a>:
Sal Stewart and Chase Burns have already made their impact on the major league squad and look to be building blocks for the future. Tyson Lewis and Alfredo Duno look to lead the next wave of hitters. Recent high school draftee AaronWatson has the stuff to be an impact arm and the Reds have had recent success developing their pitchers.<\/p>\n

2026 International Signing: Angel Nunez, OF (Dominican Republic) \u2013 $3M. Not included in the Top 50 rankings below. Would likely be slotted in Tier 5. He should show up in our next Reds prospects update.<\/p>\n

Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07<\/a>), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame<\/a>), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan<\/a>), J.W. Mulpas (@CLEBoxscoreBeat<\/a>), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam<\/a>). The writer\u2019s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.<\/p>\n

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact<\/p>\n

Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2025<\/p>\n

Tier 1<\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

Tier 2<\/p>\n

1. Sal Stewart<\/a>, 3B, 22, MLB
Stewart is the Reds consensus number one prospect across most platforms, and he\u2019s pretty much locked in to the middle of the order in the MLB lineup. He\u2019s corner infield (1B\/3B) eligible in most dynasty leagues, so it\u2019s a position where Cincinnati will be looking for power\/production from his bat. The 2022 1st round pick should have Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer hitting in front of him, so he\u2019s likely to have a lot of bats with runners on base and in scoring position. With 55 MLB at bats under his belt, he\u2019ll be graduating from prospect status early in the season. (@Scotty_Ballgame)<\/p>\n

2. Alfredo Duno<\/a>, C, 20, Single-A
Duno might be the best young catcher after Samuel Basallo. He spent all of 2025 in Single-A and put up impressive numbers. Duno hit .287 with 18 homers and 32 doubles in 113 games. He also walked more than he struck out \u2014 95 walks to 91 strikeouts. Baseball America\u2019s Hit+ metric ranks Duno 8th among all minor league hitters, one spot ahead of top prospect Kevin McGonigle. Duno is listed at 6\u20192\u201d, 210 pounds, though he probably weighs closer to 240. That size raises questions about whether he stays behind the plate. Some think he could end up at first base or DH, but for now, he\u2019s catching and winning awards left and right. He was Florida State League MVP, Futures Game pick, and even had a three-homer game in the Arizona Fall League playoffs. The next step is to see how he handles upper-level pitching, but dynasty owners could be looking at a future fantasy star. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat) <\/p>\n

Tier 3<\/p>\n

3. Tyson Lewis<\/a>, SS, 20, Single-A
4. Steele Hall<\/a>, SS, 18, High school
Hall is a high-end athlete with elite speed and the defensive actions to remain at shortstop long term. He\u2019s a 70 runner with quick-twitch movement, smooth feet, and advanced instincts, showing the range, body control, and soft hands to handle the position with a solid arm that plays comfortably in the dirt. Offensively, he\u2019s made noticeable strides as he\u2019s filled out physically, featuring a compact, low-effort swing with real bat speed and a direct path that produces hard line drives with more emerging power. The approach is still adjusting to higher velocity and timing demands, but the bat projects to at least average as the reps continue to stack up. With top-end speed, real defensive value, and improving offensive impact, the profile points toward an everyday middle infielder with athletic upside. (@ShaunKernahan)
5. Cam Collier<\/a>, 3B, 21, Double-A
6. Rhett Lowder<\/a>, RHP, 23, MLB
7. H\u00e9ctor Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>, OF, 21, Triple-A
8. Aaron Watson<\/a>, RHP, 19, High school
9. Chase Petty<\/a>, RHP, 22, MLB<\/p>\n

Lewis should be the starting shortstop at High-A Dayton to start 2026. The 20-year-old 2024 2nd round pick impressed in his pro debut last season, putting up 153 total bases across Rookie ball\/Single-A, and he added 27 SB. Collier, a former Futures Game MVP, got some additional time in Arizona this past fall, following 74 games at Double-A. The former 1st rounder is still only 21 and could potentially be a major breakout candidate. Lowder may have slipped a bit in his overall prospect ranking, but the 7th overall pick in 2023, with some help from Hunter Greene, could be carrying this Reds rotation for years to come. After only four MiLB starts (9.1 IP) in 2025 due to a forearm strain, he got another 9 AFL innings and hopes to back and fully healthy for 2026. Rodriguez has some prospect helium heading into this season, at least in #thehobby world. He\u2019s put up some solid numbers in AA\/AAA and will begin this season as one of the starting outfielder for Louisville with hopes to get the MLB call-up by midseason. (@Scotty_Ballgame)<\/p>\n

Tier 4<\/p>\n

10. Edwin Arroyo<\/a>, SS, 22, Double-A
11. Mason Neville<\/a>, OF, 22, Single-A
12. Adolfo Sanchez<\/a>, OF, 19, Rookie (DSL)
13. Julian Aguiar<\/a>, RHP, 24, Injured (MLB in 2024)
14. Ricky Cabrera<\/a>, 3B, 21, High-A
15. Zach Maxwell<\/a>, RHP, 25, MLB
16. Carlos Jorge<\/a>, OF, 22, High-A
17. Leo Balcazar<\/a>, SS\/2B, 21, Double-A<\/p>\n

Prior to missing all of the 2024 season from shoulder surgery, Arroyo was looking the part of an aggressive high-contact middle infielder with well above average speed. However, his return in 2025 was not as promising, making this season a pivotal year for him. Neville, the Reds\u2019 third-round pick in 2025, came off of one heck of a draft year at Oregon launching 26 home runs. If he can make enough quality contact in professional ball look out. Aguiar made his MLB debut in 2024 but missed all of 2025 due to TJ surgery. He will likely be on an innings limit this season which could really clouds his role. Cabrera is a polarizing prospect; on one hand his power and speed tools are potentially plus to plus-plus. On the other hand, his hit tool is still very raw and without improvement could hinder his ability to reach his full potential. Maxwell is a physically imposing righthander with a high-octane fastball that should spend most if not all of next season in the back of the Reds bullpen. If you like to speculate on future closers, this could be your guy. Jorge made a noticeable adjustment last year with his swing and dropped his K rate from 31% to 19%. That adjustment combined with his 70-grade speed make him very interesting.<\/p>\n

Tier 5<\/p>\n

18. Arnaldo Lantigua<\/a>, OF, 20, Single-A
19. Mason Morris<\/a>, RHP, 22, Single-A
20. Sheng-En Lin<\/a>, RHP, 20, Single-A
21. Liberts Aponte<\/a>, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
22. Luke Holman<\/a>, RHP, 23, Single-A
23. Ty Floyd<\/a>, RHP, 24, Single-A
24. Jose Franco<\/a>, RHP, 25, Triple-A
25. Stharlin Torres<\/a>, RHP, 19, Rookie (ACL)
26. Tyler Callihan<\/a>, OF, 25, MLB
27. Carlos Sanchez<\/a>, 3B\/SS, 21, High-A
28. Luis Mey<\/a>, RHP, 24, MLB
29. Alfredo Alcantara<\/a>, 2B\/3B\/SS, 20, Single-A
30. Yerlin Confidan<\/a>, OF, 23, High-A
31. Angel Salio<\/a>, 3B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
32. Cole Schoenwetter<\/a>, RHP, 21, Single-A
33. Jirvin Morillo<\/a>, C, 19, Rookie (DSL)
34. Jay Allen II<\/a>, OF, 23, Double-A
35. Pablo Nunez<\/a>, OF, 19, Rookie (DSL)
36. Hansel Jimenez<\/a>, SS\/3B, 19, Rookie (DSL)
37. Eli Pitts<\/a>, OF, 19, High school
38. JeanPierre Ortiz<\/a>, RHP, 21, Single-A
39. Iker Redona<\/a>, LHP, 18, Rookie (DSL)
40. Nick Sando<\/a>, LHP, 24, Double-A
41. Luke Hayden<\/a>, RHP, 23, High-A
42. Kyle Henley<\/a>, OF, 21, Single-A
43. Peyton Stovall<\/a>, 2B\/1B, 22, High-A
44. Jaset Martinez<\/a>, 1B, 19, Rookie (DSL)
45. Ryjeteri Merite<\/a>, LHP, 20, Rookie (DSL)
46. Trevor Kuncl<\/a>, RHP, 26, Double-A
47. Edgar Colon<\/a>, RHP, 19, Single-A
48. Kien Vu<\/a>, OF, 22, Single-A
49. Kevin Abel<\/a>, RHP, 26, Triple-A
50. Deivi Villafana<\/a>, RHP, 22, Rookie (ACL)<\/p>\n

Lantigua, originally signed by the Dodgers, has serious power potential if he can make enough contact. Morris started his collegiate career at Ole Miss as a third baseman but clearly his transition to the mound has been a success. Successful enough for the Reds to select him in the third-round last year. Lin is currently listed as a two-way player, but a nasty changeup might lead to a more promising future on the mound. Franco features a fastball-slider combo that could point to an impact arm if his command improves. Floyd has some traits that could make for a big-league pitcher he just needs to stay healthy. At 23-years-old Confidan is starting to get on the \u201colder\u201d side for a prospect in A-ball and needs to start to put some things together. Morillo\u2019s bat looks like it could be the real deal. Where his development could slow down is with the defensive side of the game, not uncommon for a young catcher. The Reds have a couple of outfielders from the 2025 draft in this tier that are very intriguing. Pitts, a prep drafted with the 145th overall pick, has a nice power\/speed upside and could really be one to watch. Vu, drafted with the 264th overall pick, had a strong draft season at Arizona State slashing .354\/.458\/.601.<\/p>\n

Author<\/p>\n

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Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB\/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.<\/p>\n

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President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty\/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and\/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.<\/p>\n

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Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam<\/a> for more baseball content.<\/p>\n

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” -Yogi Berra<\/p>\n

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