As the Reds’ rollercoaster season continues to unfold, trade conversations will only intensify as the playoff picture becomes clearer. What once looked like a buying situation for Cincinnati could quickly shift toward selling at the deadline.
Like most small-market organizations in Major League Baseball, the Reds rely heavily on their farm system to build a competitive roster. Unlike teams in Los Angeles or New York, Cincinnati does not have the luxury of consistently spending at the top of the market. Because of that, internal development is critical.
Outside of young stars like Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Chase Burns, there may not be many truly untouchable players on the roster. In fact, the next wave of success in Cincinnati could be just a few years away—and currently playing in the minor leagues.
The Reds’ future may already be taking shape on their affiliates, including the first-half champion Dayton Dragons. The High-A club has already punched its ticket to the MiLB playoffs, fueled by a talented group of prospects pushing toward the big leagues.
Alfredo Duno, C — Dayton (High-A)
Dayton is home to what may be the best catching prospect in baseball right now.
Alfredo Duno, a 20-year-old catcher from Venezuela, has been one of the most impressive young hitters in the minors. Through 62 games this season, Duno is hitting around .260 while showcasing plus power with 15 home runs.
While his defense still needs refinement, Duno’s offensive profile is what stands out. He owns a rare combination of plate discipline and raw power, showing an advanced feel for the strike zone and consistently forcing pitchers into difficult counts.
His development path hasn’t been without adversity. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2023, Duno was pushed aggressively to Single-A in 2024 but was limited to just 32 games due to a broken rib. However, a fully healthy 2025 campaign changed everything. He broke out in a major way, leading the Florida State League in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS while establishing himself as one of the top catching prospects in the game.
He has carried that momentum into 2026 at High-A, continuing to hit for power and get on base at an impressive rate.
Duno is tracking as a potential impact bat at a premium position, which significantly raises his ceiling. With his power, patience, and arm strength, the Reds believe he has all the tools necessary to develop into an everyday major league catcher.
Héctor Rodríguez, OF — Louisville (Triple-A)
When it comes to prospects who could contribute sooner rather than later, look no further than outfielder Héctor Rodríguez.
The 22-year-old, currently ranked No. 5 in the Reds’ system, has been on a tear. Over his last 30 games, Rodríguez is hitting .321 with 11 home runs. His hot streak has been highlighted by a three-home run performance on May 27 against the St. Paul Saints.
Rodríguez’s left-handed power makes him particularly intriguing for Great American Ball Park, where the short porch in right field plays perfectly to his strengths. If he earns a call-up later this season, that pull-side power could translate immediately at the big league level.
In terms of bat speed, Rodríguez ranks among the best in the organization, sitting right alongside names like De La Cruz and Stewart. After earning All–Spring Breakout First-Team honors, he has continued to build momentum and appears to be closing in on his major league opportunity sometime during the 2026 season.
Cam Collier, INF — Chattanooga (Double-A)
Another name Reds fans should keep a close eye on is Cam Collier, the No. 6 prospect in the organization and the son of former big leaguer Lou Collier.
Collier took an unconventional path to pro baseball, reclassifying early and attending junior college before being selected in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft at just 17 years old. Because of that, he has consistently been one of the youngest players at every level he’s played.
His development has included both flashes of high-end potential and some injury-related setbacks. In 2024, Collier broke out by hitting 20 home runs in the High-A Midwest League and earning MVP honors in the Futures Game at just 19.
However, a torn thumb ligament suffered during Spring Training slowed his progress. Despite the injury, he reached Double-A for the first time and made additional appearances in the Arizona Fall League to regain lost at-bats.
There is still plenty of offensive upside in Collier’s profile. He has shown the ability to tap into his plus raw power and drive the ball to all fields. Strikeouts remain an area to watch—his rate climbed to 26.3 percent in 2025—but some of that dip in production can likely be attributed to lingering effects from the thumb injury.
Defensively, Collier has begun seeing time at first base while continuing to work at third, where his strong arm remains an asset. The Reds believe he will continue to improve with reps at both positions.
The organization is essentially treating 2025 as a reset year and remains confident that Collier’s left-handed power bat will eventually translate to the major league level.
Final Thoughts
All three of these prospects factor into the Reds’ long-term plans—one way or another. Whether they become key building blocks in Cincinnati or valuable trade pieces at the deadline remains to be seen.
As the 2026 season continues to unfold, one thing is certain: moves are coming. And whether those moves signal a push for the postseason or a reset toward the future, the Reds’ farm system will be at the center of it all.
The next chapter of Reds baseball may not be fully here yet—but it’s getting closer.