Spring training is more than halfway over at this point. The Cincinnati Reds still have over 50 players in camp and just 13 days – including today – remaining before the final game is over and the team heads back to Cincinnati to get ready for Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a night game on Tuesday it felt like a good time to check in on how the Top 25 prospects have performed in spring training.
Nearly half of the players in the Top 25 have not appeared in a game this spring with the Reds. Several others have incredibly limited time on the field, even by spring training standards.
The Top Performers
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
If there’s someone performing better in spring training anywhere I’d like to see it. The Reds 7th rated prospect is hitting .577 and slugging 1.192 with two doubles, a triple, and four home runs. He’s struck out just two times. Whether he can hit enough to make the club out of the spring is the big question right now. With Joey Votto back on the field that could lead to a situation where the team doesn’t think there would be enough playing time to justify bringing him up in April and to let him play every day in the minors.
Matt McLain
While he hasn’t gotten as much playing time as Encarnacion-Strand has, Matt McLain has taken full advantage of the time he’s had on the field. He hit a walk-off home run early on, and he’s kept on hitting since. Overall he’s posted a .375/.583/.688 line with two doubles to go along with his home run. McLain has also walked eight times this spring to go with just three strikeouts.
Spencer Steer
Expected to make the team out of spring training when camp started, Spencer Steer has done nothing but show that should be the case. The infielder has hit .333/.429/.625 with five extra-base hits. He’s also struck out six times while walking four times.
Allan Cerda
Despite his strong performance in limited action, Allan Cerda was sent back to minor league camp last week. He has hit .375/.545/1/125 with two home runs, three walks, and just two strikeouts in his 11 plate appearances with the big league club this spring.
Everyone Else
| Rank | Player | Key Stats |
| 1 | Elly De La Cruz | .200/.259/.480, 2 3B, HR, 2BB, 9K. |
| 2 | Cam Collier | Not in MLB camp |
| 3 | Noelvi Marte | .217/.208/.217, stolen base, 0BB, 5K. |
| 4 | Edwin Arroyo | .400/.400/.600 in 5 PA. |
| 5 | Spencer Steer | .333/.429/.625, 4 2B, HR, 4BB, 6K. |
| 6 | Matt McLain | .375/.583/.688, 2 2B, HR, 8BB, 3K. |
| 7 | Christian Encarnacion-Strand | .577/.556/1.192, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 2K. |
| 8 | Connor Phillips | 0.00 ERA, 4IP, 1H, 4BB, 4K. |
| 9 | Chase Petty | Not in MLB camp |
| 10 | Sal Stewart | Not in MLB camp |
| 11 | Brandon Williamson | 9.00 ERA, 7IP, 10H, 4BB, 9K. |
| 12 | Ricardo Cabrera | Not in MLB camp |
| 13 | Jay Allen | .400/.400/.600 in 5 PA. |
| 14 | Andrew Abbott | 4.50 ERA, 2IP, 2H, 0BB, 2K. |
| 15 | Rece Hinds | Not in MLB camp |
| 16 | Victor Acosta | Not in MLB camp |
| 17 | Joe Boyle | Not in MLB camp |
| 18 | Carlos Jorge | Not in MLB camp |
| 19 | Michael Siani | .250/.318/.250, steal, 2BB, 7K. |
| 20 | Julian Aguiar | Not in MLB camp |
| 21 | Allan Cerda | .375/.545/1.125, 2 HR, 3BB, 2K. |
| 22 | Leonardo Balcazar | 0-1. |
| 23 | Ariel Almonte | Not in MLB camp |
| 24 | Hector Rodriguez | Not in MLB camp |
| 25 | Javi Rivera | Not in MLB camp |