Home
    Articles
    Edwin Arroyo (Photo: Doug Gray)
    Photo: Doug Gray

    Cincinnati Reds #5 Prospect: Edwin Arroyo – Shortstop

    Doug Gray 12

    Much of 2024 was lost to injury for Edwin Arroyo. A shoulder injury in spring training led to surgery that kept him out for the entire regular season, but he recovered in time to play in the Arizona Fall League to get some on-field time before the offseason began.

    This article was first sent out to those who support the site over on Patreon. Early access is one of the perks that you could get be joining up as a Patron and supporting the work done here at RedsMinorLeagues.com.

    Edwin Arroyo got an invitation to big league camp as a non-roster player. His playing time was limited – much like that of nearly everyone in spring training as clubs try to get at-bats for 40-ish players to help determine who is going to be able to do what.

    With that said, Arroyo was taking advantage of the playing time he did get in the spring. In the first three weeks of the spring he had played in 11 games and gotten 20 plate appearances. The then 20-year-old went 6-17, hitting .353/.450/.471 with two doubles, three walks, two strikeouts, and one stolen base. But that’s where things came to an end as he tore the labrum in his left shoulder diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt.

    After sitting out all of April through September while recovering from the surgery to repair his labrum, the Cincinnati Reds sent Arroyo to play in the Arizona Fall League in October and November.

    He got out to a hot start, going 10-28 (.370) in his first six games, picking up three doubles along the way. In the next and final 12 games he played in he went 9-47 (.191) with just one double and one triple. Arroyo would hit .253/.309/.333 in his 18 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs out in Arizona.

    For all 2024 Season Reviews and Scouting Reports – click here (these will come out during the week throughout the offseason).

    Edwin Arroyo Scouting Report

    Position: Shortstop | B/T: S/R

    Height: 5′ 11″ | Weight: 175 lbs. | Acquired: Trade (Mariners, 2022) | Born: August 25, 2003

    While the 2024 season was largely lost for Edwin Arroyo, and that certainly did set him back a bit in terms of how quickly he was likely to reach the big leagues, he was so young already that he’ll still be among the youngest players at whichever level he will begin 2025 at – as he will spend nearly the entire year as a 21-year-old.

    Offensively there’s nothing that really stands out for Edwin Arroyo. There’s also no negative that sticks out, either. He’s got a chance to be an average hitter with average power, and while he has some speed, he’s not a burner on the bases. Arroyo has been able to utilize the speed he does have quite well, both in terms of stealing bases and in terms of taking extra bases on outfielders if they give him the opportunity. Of course, an average hitter that can also play shortstop tends to stick out a little bit at the position, too.

    As a switch hitter he’s shown more power from the right side of the plate, but the difference has been minimal. That power advantage from the right side has been the difference between his minor league splits versus when he’s hitting from the left side. He’s hit for a slightly better average from the left side, and he’s also gotten on base more – though that’s largely due to the higher average and significantly more hit-by-pitches (19-to-1!).

    Defensively is where Arroyo tends to get more praise than at the plate. A quality shortstop, nothing sticks out for him defensively – he’s simply good at all aspects of fielding. His arm is strong and above-average. He shows good hands and actions at the position and can make all of the routine plays and overall has everything that is needed to be a shortstop for a long time. Those same defensive tools would also allow him to make a smooth transition to second or third base at the big league level if he’s blocked there.

    Edwin Arroyo is interesting in the sense that he’s got 5-tool potential, but there’s not really any standout tool among the group. But there’s a chance that he’s simply good at everything without any downsides to point at.

    Stats

    Spray Charts

    Note that these are the spray charts for Arroyo from 2023 when he last played with a meaningful sample size.

    As a left-handed hitter

    As a right-handed hitter

    Video

    Interesting Stat on Edwin Arroyo

    In the Arizona Fall League this year he hit .440, going 11-25 against starting pitchers. But against relievers he went 8-50, hitting just .160 against them.

    Doug Gray
    Doug Gray is the owner and operator of this website and has been running it since 2006 in one variation or another.

    Related Posts

    12 Responses

    2. I got a chance to watch a few of the Desert Dogs games on streaming and he certainly looked as smooth as ever at SS. I have to assume he starts in AA getting every day reps at SS and Dom Pitelli likely plays more of a utility role all around the infield. If Arroyo can manage to hit his way to AAA in the 2025 season then maybe you start getting him some reps at 3B/2B to see where his big club fit might be, though he may end up as a main piece in a trade as well if the Reds are competitive next season.

      1. Watched him out there as well. Plus, i require periodic reminders that his shoulder injury was to his non-throwing arm (or primary throwing arm — isn’t Arroyo somewhat ambidextrous?).

        Watching him play defense while with Dayton, he reminded me of the best short stop version of Jose Barrero, who i thought really had some high skill.

    3. I still feel like he’s the one guy that could bump EDLC to CF. A lot of ifs in between now and Edwin being and everyday MLB SS, but the potential is certainly there.

      1. I’m not sure third base has been solidified long term, though I’m pulling for Marte, so third could be a landing spot for Elly.

        In a few years I could see 1b-Marte, 2B-McLain. SS-Arroyo, 3b-Elly, DH-CES.

    4. I think there would be plenty of at-bats for Arroyo in a utility role. Espinal’s presence buys you the whole year to get Arroyo back on track.

    5. Put EDLC, McLain, and Arroyo in your Yahtzee shaker and roll them into these 3 positions SS, 2B, CF. They are our 3 best defenders, and arguments can be made for who’s a best fit for where, but if we end up with these 3 up the middle our 25/26 defense should be very solid.

      1. I’d like to find some data on infield ranges of Arroyo v. McClain, as i think the next competition might be for 2B, if Arroyo breaks out sooner rather than later and/or McClain’s durability remains an issue.

        Both are plenty sure handed and have more than enough arm for the position. It’s easy to see either one in consideration for gold gloves.

        McClain’s bat plays better currently, but he’s a full four years older — i forget just how young Arroyo (who will be playing nearly all of 2025 at just age 21) really is. And his second half at Dayton in 2023 was pretty impressive for a 19 year old.

        All of this makes me think this is a solution in search of a problem. Entering Year Three of McClain, with three to four to follow before his departure, Arroyo as a swing guy between short and second for two years that time, getting 400 at bats, seems like a succession plan for me. Combine him with Stafura, with a dash of Balcazar or Stoval and a rising Lewis, and that’s a recipe for post EDLC and Matt McClain.*

        *please excuse the holiday cooking motif.

        1. OK, so the Reds are not going to sign EDLC for 2 really good reasons.

          1 the potential $400M+ contract that it’d take to even think about singing him.

          2 the potential return of prospects for a year and a half of EDLC

          I say that to say this, I’d try to extend McLain. I think he’s potentially the best player we have currently on the offensive side, but his upside is well short of EDLC’s upside, and the Reds should be able to afford him long term.

          McLain CF (extend)
          EDLC SS
          Arroyo 2B
          Stephenson (extend)

          That’s a strong up the middle. Guys like Collier, and Stewart could start giving CES, and Marte competition on the corners as soon as mid 2026.

        2. The wisdom of that may lie in not losing both EDLC and McClain in back to back years.

          A modest McClain extension for, say, his age 28-30 year old seasons protects for having EDLC depart in his age 26-27 year old seasons (man, he’s gonna get a big contract). Assuming some combo of Arroyo, Stewart, Collier, Stafura, Stovall, Lewis, etc is ready to join McClain, CES, Marte, Callihan, we’d still have talent in the infield. And, as usual these days, it’s the outfield that is troublesome. Though the AA OF crew this year may bring some relief around then, as well with HRod, O’Donnell, Allen, II, Jorge, Cabrera, Confidan), the big bat out there looks like it’ll come from the outside. This is where I see CES as well as Duno as keys, given their 30 HR prospects.

    6. Extend ELDC. he is worth the money and Superstars win WS; not a team of average to above average players.

    7. Arroyo is interesting as a prospect. He could hit as an average guy, but nothing sticks out. He has no downsides from a defensive standpoint but he isn’t spectacular either. He can run fast but he is not a burner. Finally he can be a five-tool player without being a star … it really sounds a little hilarious…

    Comments are closed.