ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has been releasing prospect related articles for the past week, ranging from his Top 100 list, to farm system rankings, to the Top 10 list for each system. In the latter, which was published most recently, McDaniel noted just how many power hitters were in the Cincinnati Reds farm system.
The top of the Reds’ system is headlined by two power hitters with easily plus in-game power potential in Stewart and Duno and there are more players along these lines in the system. Lewis has some of the biggest exit velos in the low minors paired with plus speed, but questions about the rest of his game. Collier also has huge EVs, although from a first-base profile that is more of a necessity. SS/3B Hansel Jimenez (No. 16, if you were wondering) played in the Dominican Summer League last year and also has huge power potential.
The power is more apparent for some of these guys than others. Sal Stewart his 25 home runs between Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB last year. Alfredo Duno led the Florida State League in doubles (32) and home runs (18) as a 19-year-old in 2025, and added three 445+ foot home runs in the Arizona Fall League playoffs (and a 4th home run that didn’t quite go as far). Two seasons ago Cam Collier became just the 2nd Reds prospect to hit 20+ home runs as a teenager in a season since Johnny Bench (Wily Mo Pena was the other guy).
Tyson Lewis slugged .486 in his debut, compiling 31 extra-base hits in 81 games last season as a 19-year-old as he split his season between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Daytona. And then there’s Hansel Jimenez. The recently turned 19-year-old hit nine home runs between his time playing for the Dominican Summer League Reds and the Sydney Blue Sox in winter ball down in Australia, covering 73 games between the two leagues.
Only one of those players ranked in the top five among Cincinnati’s minor league players in home runs last season, though and that was Stewart. Edwin Rios, who is now a free agent (and 31-years-old) led the way with 26 for the Bats. Rece Hinds hit 24 in 107 games for Louisville, and Ruben Ibarra tacked on 21 in 104 games for Chattanooga. Those three, along with Stewart were the only four guys to hit 20 or more last year in the system. 20-year-old corner outfielder Hector Rodriguez got close, hitting 19 of them between Double-A and Triple-A.
The players mentioned her by McDaniel are spread throughout the organization, too. In 2026 you should expect to see Stewart with the Reds, Collier should start in either Double-A or Triple-A, Duno in High-A, Lewis in Single-A, and Jimenez in Arizona at the complex level.
More Reds prospect rankings
Keith Law of The Athletic has also been publishing plenty of prospect related stuff over the last two weeks and on Wednesday he unveiled his Reds Top 20 prospects. You’ll need a subscription to read it, but here’s the link for you if you want to check it out.
The most interesting thing to me from his list was that he had Rhett Lowder ranked 6th. But it’s an interesting ranking in that it is one that doesn’t seem lower than expected because Law is low on Lowder – he describes him as a mid-rotation starter right now if he’s healthy. That’s fairly high praise for a prospect. It’s surprising in that Law thinks that well of Lowder and yet still puts five other prospects in the organization ahead of him.
There is also Mason Neville from last years draft who has plus raw power, and digging into our fresh international class 17 year old Gilventon Josephina is a 6’4″ 200 lb RF who has a little buzz around him after signing as a potential power hitter.
I think Arnaldo Lantigua has a good power potential…Doesn’t he?
Yes, Lantigua is supposed to be a very talented young man. We will probably learn more about him when he plays in “A” ball. I think he has just played in the Reds Dominican Instructional league. I don’t think he has played in Low A yet. This year.
David, Lantigua spent two seasons in the DSL with the Dodgers then his third season in the ACL with the Reds, as well as 32 games with Daytona.
Ah, so he has played in Low A. Thanks, my mistake. I thought I recalled he had played in Low A at the end of the 2025 minor league season.
I dunno. Does anyone else get a “Drew Stubbs” vibe from Neville? Yes, you might get 20 HR’s from Neville but unless he has a modestly inflated BABIP as did Stubbs, I question how his OBP and BA skills will play out. Of course, Stubb’s strikeout numbers were legendary.
I guess I’m wary of one trick ponies that can put the ball in orbit, but frustrates the fire out of you while you are waiting on them to connect. If you aren’t going to hit HR’s, hit a few doubles and singles or at the very least, take a walk to at least extend the inning.
Drew Stubbs had an 8 year career and 8 WAR. If we could get that out of a 4th rd pick, that is absolutely a win. Now, Stubbs was faster and a better fielder, so, Neville would need to hit more.
Drew Stubbs was considered an elite defensive player by scouts. He was also considered much faster than Neville is.
Stubbs played nine years in the big leagues. If I could bet money on Neville not playing nine years of pro ball and that includes his time in the minor leagues I would bet a lot of money on it.
So no he doesn’t remind me at all of Stubbs. The only thing the two have in common is they struck out a lot. Stubbs was considered a far better prospect. By light years.
For sure he was a better prospect, Stubbs was a first round draft pick. Much too early to decide what Neville will become.
I watched a lot of the Arizona games. Jimenez hits some shots when he backs contact. Similar to slot of young Latin guys with power.
Drew Stubbs was also a helluva CF’er..yes pls
Stubbs…great defense, fast … not a good lead off hitter.
Stubbs was a 20/20 guy for thr Reds one season.
I will add that thus far they are not even similar in K’s. Stubbs never struck out more than 25% of the time in full season leagues. Neville struck out 34.4% of his PA last year.
Kind of feels like Hinds has reached the “it’s now or never” point in his career. At 25+ this year, maybe next would seem like the extent of his run. A good year for Collier, hopefully in AAA, gets him closer to a late season callup. Or 2027 debut. Duno, Lewis, and the rest are still young and a couple of years away. And then there’s Austin Hendrick, about whom several articles were written a couple of months ago touting how he’d finally shown signs of making it. Maybe he does, but he needs to get to Louisville early in the year and do well or he’ll be another highly touted draft pick that went nowhere, e.g., Senzel, a man that unfortunately, couldn’t stay healthy.
Watching video of Duno hit (never seen him in person, of course), he looks like the real deal. The ball just jumps off his bat, and he does not particularly over swing like some guys do to drive the ball. Very short, compact swing (for a guy his size).
Lewis looks like a very talented kid, but he needs a little more time to see if he is for real.
Austin Hendrick was just a lost 1st round draft choice. Period.
Isn’t that HECTOR Rodriguez?
This is HInds’ final full season to make or break. Dunn is at the Hurtubise/Siani stage – won’t be surprised if he’s DFA or traded in mid-season. HRod still has a few seasons, if needed.
It’s interesting McDaniel is saying Tyson Lewis has question about his rest of the game (aside power potential). What could be those questions? Is he a bad defender? Is not a good runner? weak arm?
It’s mostly just hit. Might have defensive stuff to work on, but so do most young players. It’s a lot of swing and miss, and while it has been a very small sample size so far, he has been absolutely brutal against LHP.
Duke I’ve decided for the guys in low minors it has to be about tools and not errors. A lot of guys have poor error numbers at the beginning who have the tools and become great defenders at AA and above. A great example was “The General” Didi Gregorious who had 32 errors in his one combined A,A+ season. Didi ended up being a pretty good defender.
In the limited sample I got to watch Lewis at in Daytona’s streams, he seemed plenty athletic with a fairly strong throwing arm.
Derek Jeter had 56 errors in 126 games when playing in A ball.
How many gift baskets did he give out that year?
Did that Jeter guy ever make it in the Majors? 🙂
But seriously, although Jeter may have won a Gold Glove at some time playing shortstop, he was hardly a defensive gazelle at the position in his career, by major league standards. He was good, solid and the fact he was a very good hitter made him a very valuable player.
Tyson may not stick at SS, as he is just ahead of Steele Hall, who is supposed to be a phenomenal SS. Tyson may end up in the outfield, is my guess, if he makes it to the Bigs. Still a long haul to get there.
Lowder has really confused the ranking systems, understandably due to the injury and lost year. I think Law’s comment is apt, though, in that if they ease Lowder and his workload through June, he’ll be the 4th/5th starter by mid-season, and a very good one. If he avoids any setbacks, either injury or performance, he’ll be extremely valuable going into next season.
When someone says “mid-rotation” starter it’s general speak as to their talent, not how they will fit into their specific team’s rotation.
Understood, but if your #6 prospect is a “mid-rotation” talent, aren’t you doing pretty well in development, and as a farm system?
One would think so, which is why I talked about the whole thing in the article.
If things don’t get more upended beyond Singer moving on after 2026, our rotation will be four Reds first rounders and one Reds second rounder (and Singer was acquired for a Reds first rounder).
Further, this year and possibly next (dependent on retaining Stephenson) we may have Reds first rounders at C, 1B, and 2B, an undrafted CF who was essentially a second or third round pick and an internationally signed individual as our SS snd best player.
Add at least two and possibly up to four out of seven bullpen arms drafted or signed by the club.
Add pitchers and hitters we’ve acquired as teen agers by trade such as Marte, Phillips, Petty, and it’s a very solid record of player acquisition and development.
The unknown is whether this group is talented enough to progress into and through the playoffs. That will be a good way to determine further if the system is middle of the pack, or better. All the WAR in the world doesn’t equate to a WS title. As Mets fans will tell you.
“Of course, you realize, this means WAR!” – stuff that Bugs Bunny might say.
(a play on words regarding WAR…Wins Above Replacement….heh?)
Reds have a problem drafting and developing, or so I’ve read here in comments previously.
I enjoyed that, David… thank you, lol.
David, somewhere Wily Coyote has narrowed his eyes into an angry but hopeless stare after realizing he’s been had. It does mean war!
Trade Lowder, Collier, maybe Steer for a bigtime Left Fielder and then the Reds are contenders. Still don’t think they’re quite there, but I’d say might as well go big after getting Suarez. Of course I have no clue who the big time Left Fielder is out there whether now, or at the deadline. Don’t fall in love with your prospects, most rarely pan out when you look at history.
…eh fine, but where did the good players in the MLB rn come from. I’ve not heard this obvious LF masher that teams are willing to trade, maybe Duran, but they seem content keeping him. Not sure that package is enough, either.
CES, Hinds, too
CES and Hinds trade value combined wouldn’t bring back a middle reliever with an ERA below 5.
And the Mets have probably the wealthiest ML owner who is willing to spend money on baseball, and championships are not forthcoming. Whether it’s current players, prospects, or money, you have to give up something of value to get what you need to win a WS title. The recent exception is Suarez who is ‘coming home’ for 15 million a year.
I’ve heard tgat Sal is in better shape and has lost 20-30 pounds. Could losing that extra mass zap some of Sal’s power? Muscle vs weight transfer, I’m thinking that in some cases that a little extra weight helps power hitters.
I just read that a loss of weight can negatively effect a hitters momentum, even with gains of speed and muscle. It’s case by case so hopefully Sal didn’t shoot himself in the foot.
Steer will hit 30 homers bat in 90 flawleess defence at 1st Comfortable at 2nd and capable in left …can steal a base when needed And should be healthy at the start of spring training He seems undervalued by some of us But i will take that production all day long