You never really know which young prospects will blossom into budding major league stars, but based on what we saw during the 2021 season, the Cincinnati Reds have a few within their farm system who could make some noise in 2022.
The Reds have drafted very well over the past few years. Players like Tyler Stephenson and Jonathan India made a huge impact on last year’s team and the Cincinnati faithful are hopeful to see similar results from others within the Reds organization.
While familiar names like Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo showcased their elite-level talents during minor league play this past season, there were others within the farm system who had success as well. Let’s look at four prospects who will likely rocket through the minor leagues next season.
Rece Hinds, drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second-round of the 2019 MLB Draft finally saw some legitimate action this past season. Though he was slowed by an injury, the 21-year-old appeared in 43 games at Low-A Daytona in 2021.
Hinds showed his power during his time with the Tortugas, slashing .251/.319/.515 with 10 home runs, 27 RBIs and a wRC+ of 120. One out of every five fly balls that Hinds hit went over the wall. This young man has ridiculous power and the only real question is if Hinds will make enough contact.
The game has changed and GMs are much more likely to look the other way if a player has a .220 so long as he can hit it out of the ballpark with regularity. That’s the type of player that Rece Hinds is, and he’s only begun to scratch the surface.
Hinds is raw. Only three games in the minors during 2019, 43 at Low-A this season, and canceled minor league sandwiched in between have stunted the maturation process for the former IMG Academy star.
Watch for Hinds to soar up the Reds minor league rankings next season. Provided he stays healthy, Hinds could end next season on the cusp of a major leaguee debut in 2023. The most interesting story to follow will be whether or not Hinds sticks at third base or is shifted to the outfield.
