Cincinnati Reds Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Blake Dunn, OF

Preseason rank: 13
BA Grade: 50. Risk: High.

TRACK RECORD: Dunn is one of the better all-around athletes in Michigan high school state history. He set state records in the 110- and 330-meter hurdles, scored the second-most points (824) in state history in football and set the school record with 51 points in a basketball game. But Dunn’s all-out approach leads to injuries. He missed his senior season in high school, then missed a month of his final season at Western Michigan and has played less than 50 games in his first two pro seasons. Finally healthy, he was the Reds’ most productive minor leaguer in 2023. He produced an extremely rare 20-50 season, and came just two home runs away from 30-50.

SCOUTING REPORT: Dunn’s all-out approach is somewhat reminiscent of how Ryan Freel played his way into an eight-year MLB career. Dunn has speed, power and a knack for getting on base that is both a strength and a concern. Dunn is a well-rounded player who has no glaring flaws. His swing means he’s a dartboard for pitchers who like to pitch up and in, as his approach means he ends up close-to-the-plate. His 32 hit-by-pitches were second most in the minors, and he had a knack for immediately stealing second after he’s been plunked. Dunn’s breakthrough was a surprise, but he has an easy, powerful swing. 

THE FUTURE: Unlike most sleeper late-round finds, Dunn is a premium athlete. At this point, he’s already played his way from being an org player to someone who could one day help a big league club. If he can show in 2024 that his offensive improvement is sustainable, he could be a regular who can play all three outfield spots and fit in nicely with the Reds’ collection of athletic, grinding outfielders.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 50. Power: 50. Fielding: 50. Run: 60. Arm: 40.

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Hunter Hollan, LHP

Preseason rank: 28
BA Grade: 45. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: As a third-round pick selected out of Southeastern Conference power Arkansas, Hollan may look like a pick that’s playing it safe. In reality, he’s one of the upside plays of the Reds’ 2023 draft class. He spent two years at San Jacinto (Texas) JC before moving to the Razorbacks’ weekend rotation for his draft year. He has shown flashes of dominance but moments of inconsistency as well.

SCOUTING REPORT: Hollan generally sat in the low 90s at Arkansas, but there’s plenty of hope that he could end up sitting more in the mid 90s as he continues his strength training. He’s skinny for now, and he’s touched 95-97 mph at times, including pretty regularly in fall ball at Arkansas, so there should be more velocity to come. Hollan has a slider and curveball that can sometimes get too similar and a mid- 80s average changeup. None of his secondaries are an above-average pitch, but they should tick up with added velocity.

THE FUTURE: Having five picks in the top 105 gave the Reds the chance to add a pair of safe college pitchers at the top of their class and a pair of more projectable pitchers soon thereafter in Hollan and Cole Schoenwetter. If Hollan keeps adding strength, he could soar up this list over the next two years.

Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.