Friday, October 16

CINCINNATI -- Although the 2026 season was a disappointing one for the last-place Reds, it was a year in which some of their young prospects and promising Minor Leaguers reached the big leagues. 

Of course, no one broke through in bigger fashion than National League Rookie of the Year candidate Sal Stewart. But the season also marked the arrivals of outfielders Héctor Rodríguez and Carlos Jorge and pitcher Jose Franco.

The upper levels of the Reds’ farm system aren’t teeming with numerous players on the cusp of being in the Major Leagues. Their top prospect, catcher Alfredo Duno, isn't being rushed after he reached Double-A Chattanooga in 2026. Others -- like shortstops Steele Hall, Justin Lebron and Tyson Lewis -- are still in the lower rungs and have some years to develop. 

There are still players to look out for, however. Here are three to watch.

Carlos Jorge, OF

The aforementioned Jorge, Cincinnati's No. 15 prospect, debuted on Sept. 4 and played 18 games. The 23-year-old got his most significant opportunity during the season's final week and was 7-for-21 (.333) with a leadoff home run over six games while displaying top-end speed and athleticism as he played center field. 

Depending on who and where the Reds add from outside the organization this offseason, Jorge will have a chance to compete for a job in camp next year. While righty Dane Myers excels vs. left-handed pitching, the lefty-hitting Jorge was better vs. right-handers in the Minors.

"[Jorge] needs to continue to get better against left-handed pitching. But he can do a lot of little things," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "He can steal bases. He can bunt. You can put him in as a pinch-runner. You can put him in for defense. I think he’s done a really good job of taking steps forward with where he’s been. He’s still a young player. He still has some work to do, and we need to continue to develop him at this level.”

Carter Graham, IF/OF

The Reds' No. 22 prospect, Graham was an eighth-round pick out of Stanford in the 2023 Draft but didn't fully raise his game until 2026. Over a combined 126 games with High-A Dayton and Chattanooga, the 25-year-old right-handed hitter batted .300 with a .986 OPS, 29 homers and 93 RBIs. 

An admitted free swinger who lacked a true hitting approach entering the year, Graham credited Dayton hitting coach Troy Gingrich with helping him turn a corner by becoming more selective.

"There was no swing change or anything mechanical," Graham said. "I think swinging at better pitches consistently allowed me to drive the ball more often than I did before and I think that translated."  

Graham plays mostly first base but can also play third base, and he got some time in left field this year. He's currently playing additional games in the Arizona Fall League.

Jay Allen II, OF

Allen, the organization's No. 21 prospect, was the Reds' No. 30 overall selection in the first round of the 2021 Draft out of high school. But injuries and struggles stunted his development for multiple seasons, and he had to repeat at Chattanooga this year after he spent all of 2025 there. 

The 23-year-old Allen started showing the skills that made him a late first-round talent, and he earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A Louisville. Combined over 113 games, the right-handed hitter batted .267 with an .802 OPS, 15 homers, 51 RBIs and 23 steals. That included five homers over 17 games in July alone. 

Allen has speed and can play all three outfield spots. With the Reds currently looking lean on outfielders at the big league level heading into next season, he could make a push for a promotion with some quick success at Louisville to begin 2027.

The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is offering tours of Great American Ball Park on Saturdays and Sundays during the offseason with two options to choose from.

One option includes a 90-minute ballpark tour of the dugout and warning track plus Crosley Terrace, the Handlebar, the Champions Club and Diamond Club areas. The second is a two-hour clubhouse tour that includes seeing the home and visitor clubhouses, the media interview room, broadcast booths and hitting tunnels.

Each tour ticket includes same-day Reds Hall of Fame and Museum admission. For tickets or more information on times and dates, visit RedsMuseum.org or call 513-765-7923.

• Once he settled in after a slow start, Rodríguez made good use of his quick hands, but he has things to clean up this offseason.

• MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo spoke with pitcher Luke Holman, who appears to have put arm injuries behind him and is thriving in the AFL.

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