CINCINNATI – The Reds have named their new manager in Terry Francona to lead what is expected to be a younger roster headlined by Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and others. When it comes to offseason player moves, president of baseball operations Nick Krall will likely make efforts to address shortcomings.
But make no mistake that even with Francona on board, Cincinnati will rely on homegrown talent — now and in the future — to get where it wants to go.
“We’re always going to be a small-market club,” Krall said in September when David Bell was dismissed as manager. “That’s not going to change. When you look at it, we’re going to bring younger players up here, end up drafting and developing and bringing those players up. And we need those players to succeed in the big leagues.”
Which prospects in player development could form the next wave to reach the big leagues? Here are three to watch out for in 2025.
RHP Chase Petty
Ranked No. 8 in the organization by MLB Pipeline, Petty reached Triple-A Louisville by the end of the 2024 season and posted a 1.80 ERA in two starts. During his full year with Double-A Chattanooga, the right-hander was 10-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 26 starts. He allowed 116 hits and 56 walks while striking out 123 in 127 innings.
Petty, who turns 22 in April, was on a limited pitch count in 2023 at High-A Dayton and did not pitch more than four innings that season because of an elbow injury in ’22.
This year, the governor was removed and Petty initially struggled with a 9.56 ERA in four April starts while being prone to walks and hard hits. But he pitched better and better, especially down the stretch, with three of his final four starts lasting seven innings.
The Reds acquired Petty in the March 2022 trade that sent starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Twins. He will likely be at big league camp for the second time next Spring Training. If the rotation depth is again tested by injuries, Petty could be a phone call away to make his debut in 2025.
Ranked No. 3 in the organization and No. 65 overall, Arroyo lost a full year of development because of a freak play. During his first big league camp, Arroyo tore the labrum in his left shoulder diving back to first base on a pickoff play in a March 13 exhibition game vs. the Giants.
Arroyo was targeted to begin 2024 at Chattanooga, but he ended up missing the whole season. To make up for some lost at-bats after completing his rehab, the 21-year-old was sent to the Arizona Fall League.
Another trade acquisition to aid in the rebuild, Arroyo came to Cincinnati in the July 29, 2022, deal that sent rotation ace Luis Castillo to the Mariners.
Oct 18, 2024
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Edwin Arroyo on Arizona Fall League, feeling good
The Reds liked what they saw from Arroyo during camp and some believe that he’s the best defensive shortstop in an organization that has De La Cruz.
If Arroyo performs well early next season and reaches Triple-A, the Reds could look for a way to add him, but would it require relocating De La Cruz to a different position?
RHP Chase Burns
Burns, who was the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft out of Wake Forest and the organization’s No. 1 prospect (No. 21 overall), is targeted by MLB Pipeline to arrive in the big leagues in 2026. But it’s not hard to imagine ’25 being possible, especially if the 21-year-old follows the Rhett Lowder blueprint.
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Sign upLike Lowder, who was Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2023 and also from Wake Forest, Burns did not pitch professionally during his Draft year. Lowder began this season at High-A Dayton and made 22 Minor League starts across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A before reaching the Major Leagues. Then the right-hander shoved with a 1.17 ERA in six starts for the Reds.
Burns, who signed for a record $9.25 million bonus, spent the summer building his arm up and training at the team’s Arizona complex. If the Reds find a need for rotation fortification in the latter portion of next season, Burns could be the answer if he’s ready.