Cincinnati Reds 2024 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: Second baseman Peyton Stovall (4) has long had a reputation as an advanced and instinctive hitter. That pure hitting ability is his carrying tool at the moment and could lead to a solid-average or better hitter, and he’s coming off a career-year with Arkansas where he slashed .340/.409/.535.

Best Power Hitter: The Reds prioritized hitting over power in their 2024 draft class, so there’s no obvious booming slugger like Rece Hinds to be found, but shortstop Tyson Lewis (2) added strength and power this spring and could wind up with above-average game power.

Fastest Runner: Lewis (2) is a plus runner who turned in a 6.4-second 60-yard dash earlier in 2024 and has the speed to handle center field if he needs to move from the infield in the future.

Best Defensive Player: Lewis (2) has the tools and athleticism to be a solid defender at multiple premium positions, but outfielder Mike Sirota (3) is the more polished defender now and pairs plus speed with above-average center field defense and above-average arm strength. He should be able to handle all three outfield positions and play center field well. 

Best Fastball: Righthander Chase Burns (1) tied the new draft bonus record along with Charlie Condon when he signed for $9.25 million as the second overall pick. Part of the reason why the Reds were so comfortable giving out a bonus that large was because of his overpowering, upper 90s fastball that averaged nearly 98 mph this spring and has been up to 101 mph. It’s a double-plus offering and there are plenty of scouts who put an 80 down beside it. 

Best Secondary Pitch: Unsurprisingly, Burns (1) is also the pick here and it’s because of a slider that earns double-plus evals. The breaking ball is an upper-80s snapper with high spin rates in the 2,800 rpm range and helped him generate a 64% miss rate last spring. It’s a lethal pitch that generates silly swings inside and outside of the zone. While the slider is ahead of his curveball and changeup, both those pitches might top other arms in this draft class as well.

Best Pro Debut: The Reds were excited with what they saw from Lewis (2) after the draft, though he didn’t get into any official games. Stovall (4) walked more than he struck out in 16 games with Low-A Daytona with a pair of triples and a double. Just five draftees were activated for the Reds. Righthander Luke Hayden (8) struck out six in five innings of relief work with Low-A Daytona.

Best Athlete: Lewis (2) is perhaps the classic pick for this category as a speed and power prep shortstop, but don’t sleep on the athleticism that Burns (1) possesses on the mound with his mobility, arm speed and power from a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame.

Most Intriguing Background: Cincinnati realized how close their 2024 draft class was after the fact. Righthanders Will Cannon (12) and Trent Hodgdon (17) have been close friends since they were around five years old, while Sirota (3), righthander Jimmy Romano (16) and outfielder Anthony Stephan (13) played baseball together throughout little league.

Closest To The Majors: Burns (1) has the pure stuff to get outs in the major leagues today. He could move rapidly if he maintains the strike-throwing ability and health that he showed last spring with Wake Forest. Rhett Lowder made the majors just a year after being drafted, and while he’s a different style of pitcher than Burns, that same Wake-to-Cincy pipeline could be tapped yet again. 

Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): The Reds were excited to sign righthander Edgar Colon in the 11th round and believe he has a ton of upside with a relatively fresh arm. Righthander Stephen Quigley (NDFA) signed after the draft and is a low-slot righthander with a low-90s fastball who has solid pitchability to go with it.