One of the most interesting things every spring training is to see which players that the Cincinnati Reds bring stateside for spring training. While it’s not always a direct way of knowing who will join the complex level team (in this case, the AZL Reds) or Billings Mustangs, it’s a good sign. It’s also, usually, a sign that the organization feels good about that player – they wouldn’t go through the trouble of bringing the player in otherwise.
We already knew that Alfredo Rodriguez and Vladimir Gutierrez are in camp. Gutierrez was actually with the Major League club as a non-roster invitee, but was sent to minor league camp at the earliest point possible (it was in his contract that he would get the invite). Those two were the big international signings from the current signing period and both are older prospects. Let’s take a look at the players that are also in the United States for the first time (as players) this spring training with the organization.
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Ages listed are how old they will be according to official standards for the 2017 season.
| Player | Level | POS | Age |
| Alexander Perez | DNP | RHP | 22 |
| Angel Garzon | DSL | INF/OF | 19 |
| Christian Olivo | DSL | OF | 18 |
| Edwin Yon | DSL | OF | 18 |
| Hidekel Abreu | DSL | SS | 19 |
| Jhon De Jesus | DSL | RHP | 20 |
| Juan V Martinez | DSL | 3B | 18 |
| Marcos Encarnacion | DSL | RHP | 21 |
| Mariel Bautista | DSL | OF | 19 |
| Ranfi Gomez | DNP | RHP | 21 |
| Reniel Ozuna | DSL | OF | 18 |
| Victor Gonzalez | DNP | OF | 18 |
| Victor Ruiz | DNP | 3B | 17 |
Four of these players did not play in 2016. Alexander Perez and Ranfi Gomez are both recovering from Tommy John surgery. Perez had the surgery in 2015 and should be fully recovered at this point. Gomez, however, reportedly had his surgery in May of 2017, so he may just be in to do his rehab work here. Victor Ruiz signed in October out of Mexico and I wrote about him back then, so you can read more about him here if you’d like. Victor Gonzalez is a player that didn’t play last year after signing in August. That the team is bringing him over is very interesting and once I am out in Arizona he will be one of the players that I plan to get some eyes on and talk to people about.
From the guys that did play last year the name that sticks out the most is Cristian Olivo. The now 18-year-old signed with the Reds in the 2015-2016 signing period for $1,000,000. That was the highest bonus, by a large margin, that the team had handed out to a non-Cuban player since 2008. The outfielder struggled mightily at the plate in 2016. He battled with a shoulder injury throughout the season, which certainly needs to be taken into consideration, but he hit an abysmal .101/.149/.180 for the DSL Rojos last year with five walks and 47 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances. He’s certainly got tools, but you’ve got to hope that all of that was shoulder related problems.
Shortstop Hidekel Abreu is an intriguing name. He hit .322/.411/.439 last season in the Dominican Summer League. He’s only listed at 5′ 10″ and 155 lbs, so he’s a smaller guy, but he hit well last season. Mariel Bautista is another guy who hit well in the DSL in 2016. The then 18-year-old hit .333/.408/.473 while playing center field. He’s listed at 6′ 3″ and 170 lbs. He is definitely a player that I will be looking into when I get to Arizona next week.
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