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    Cincinnati Reds Top Prospects: Arnaldo Lantigua – Outfielder

    Doug Gray 24

    After signing with the Dodgers in January of 2023 as one of their bigger bonus getters, Arnaldo Lantigua made his professional debut with one of the Los Angeles Dominican Summer League teams. An injury cost him about half of the season, which is already only 56 games long, but when on the field he struggled in some areas.

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    The Dodgers kept Arnaldo Lantigua back in the Dominican Summer League for 2024. The then 18-year-old went 0-3 with a run and an RBI in his season debut. But the next day he homered, going 1-5 and starting a stretch that saw him homer in three of four games. Still, despite that home run barrage he never had more than a single hit in any of his first 15 games and was hitting just .208 through June 25th. He closed out the month, well, though, going 6-11 in the final three games of the month.

    July saw him go 0-5 in his first two games before picking things up a bit. He played in 13 games after that during the month – but only 12 of those were starts – and he matched his June total with five more home runs as he hit .286/.415/.714 during that stretch.

    When August began for Arnaldo Lantigua he had 10 home runs, but just one double and one triple on the season in 33 games. The final month of the DSL season saw those ratios change. He hit quite well during the three weeks of play as he posted a .383 batting average in 16 games. The right-handed slugger only had one home run in the month, but did have more doubles (six) than he had strikeouts (five). Lantigua also walked a bunch, drawing 13 free passes in August, helping him post an OPS of 1.099 during the month.

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

    Arnaldo Lantigua Scouting Report

    Position: Outfield | B/T: R/R

    Height: 6′ 2″ | Weight: 200 lbs. | Acquired: Trade (Dodgers, 2025) | Born: December 19, 2005

    The Cincinnati Reds picked up Arnaldo Lantigua in January in a trade with the Dodgers that sent Los Angeles international pool cap space. After a solid 2023 in his debut he returned to the DSL in 2024 as an 18-year-old and was one of the best hitters in the league and had improvements across the board. While repeating the DSL isn’t something you would prefer if someone is going to do it you want to see improvements and he passed that part with flying colors.

    While he has hit for a ton of power and hit for a good average in 2024, and he’s shown that he can walk nearly as often as he’s struck out in both seasons, there are still some questions about just how much average he will hit for in the future. That can be said about just about anyone playing in the Dominican Summer League where the pitchers can be all over the place and a high walk rate doesn’t necessarily reflect a strong understanding of spin or the strikezone (though it could mean that). What’s not in question is that his power is real. How much he can ultimately get to may come down to how much he will hit as he continues to develop, but the upside is there for plus power.

    Much of his career has been spent in center with a limited amount of time in left and right field. Long term he’s going to wind up in the corner as his speed just doesn’t translate to a big league center fielder. His above-average arm will play just fine in right field.

    There’s good upside with Lantigua as a guy who in his best seasons could hit 30 home runs, provide quality defense in the outfield, and hit for a solid average. But there’s a lot of risk there, too, simply due to the fact that he’s never played outside of the Dominican Summer League and there is so much development left for him to do.

    Stats

    Spray Chart

    Interesting Stat on Arnaldo Lantigua

    In 2024 he hit .167/.192/.292 against left-handed pitching and .326/.467/.628 against right-handed pitching. The year before things were the opposite as he hit .412/.545/.882 against lefties and just .183/.299/.390 against righties.

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

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    24 Responses

    2. I guess Lantigua is going to the ACL this year, let’s see how the change of environment influences his performance…

    3. Seems pretty much like a dead pull hitter right now. Given his good raw power would like to see him be able to show more power away. An exciting power hitter to have in the system though, in a system that lacks a lot of true raw power guys. Excited to see what he does this season.

      Other prospects i’d like to see depending on how many prospect profiles outside the top 25 you do before the season starts:

      Kyle Henley
      Bernard Moon
      Esmith Pineda
      Ryan Cardona
      Peyton Stovall
      Jose Acuna
      John Michael Faile
      A Ty Floyd update?

      1. I think our higher grade (55-60) power guys may benefit, or at least have a good opportunity to benefit, from the Cleveland approach now being implemented top to bottom, high contact vs. high exit velocities.

        Marte, CES, Hinds, Collier, Stewart to some degree, Duno (limited sample) Confidan, Almonte, Lantigua have demonstrated power already. Contact is what is needed now.

      2. My theory on Ty Floyd is that he’s a hologram, and doesn’t really exist.

        He is rumored to be the son of Max Headroom.

      3. I was told today, though paraphrasing a little bit here because it was a few hours ago I had the conversation, that Ty Floyd is healthy and ready to begin spring training on time.

    4. Nice power from this newly traded for prospect!

      We really need to get some traction on acquiring OF prospects. I do believe in the taking the best available prospect in the draft, but I’m really hoping we line up with a couple of college outfielders with our 1st round pick this year.

      1. Drafting up-the-middle players, whether SS-2B-CF, is an easy way to acquire OFs. Those are the athletes.

        For example, Mookie Betts, drafted as 2B/SS and played 2B for first 2 years, then played 2B-CF in 2014 in AAA, promoted to BOS in 2014 and shortly became GG RF’er.

        Fernando Tatis, drafted as SS, played it for 3 years in MiL, promoted to Pads and played SS there in 2019-21, played some OF in ’21, moved to RF in ’22 and is a plus defender there.

        This is a common pattern in MLB. No need to draft OFs specifically. Just draft athletes.

        1. That is true if you are willing to actually move them to the outfield. Maybe the Reds do plan on doing that, but the injury to McLain, and suspension of Marte last season kept them from making similar moves with our “SS”

          You can make a reasonable argument that all 3 of EDLC, McLain, and Marte need to stay on the dirt in 25. I don’t agree with that, but I can understand that perspective.

          When Arroyo arrives in 25/26 you’d think the Reds will be forced to finally move a SS to the OF.

        2. Well, I think if a player is a plus defender at a premium position, you keep him there. You don’t move him to a less important defensive position.

          Now, I would argue CF defense is more important than 2B. But both are among the 4 most important defensive positions. McLain is plus at 2B, However, if Reds internal info suggests McLain could be plus in CF, I’m good with that move. But if he’s just average in CF, I think you keep him at 2B.

          But when players are blocked by a better all around player, particularly defensively, that’s how you get your OFs. Recently this has only happened for Steer. But I could see that happen for Collier or Stewart. Or if Arroyo takes a leap forward this year, he could push McLain out at some point or go to CF himself.

        3. The club has moved more middle infielders either off of short stop or to another position than we have kept there.

          Barrero, Hinds, Marte, Johnson, Urbaez, HRod, Jorge, Acosta, Cabrera, and Lin have all been moved off of their original pro positions. And there are reports of Balcazar’s move to 2B (or even catcher?) due to his decreased range after his serious knee injury in 2023 as well.

          Of the better middle infielders remaining, only Arroyo, Stafura, Lewis, Valencia, and Mariano, (and Alponte), they are arguably essential to both team and system to keep where they are, as premier short stops, those who are very good defensively and offensively, are not uncommon.

          It’s really the EDLC thesis applied to four levels of minor league ball. Don’t move your best player at the position to another position to fill a void, thereby creating two.

          More below re: Our OF inadequacies.

        4. @Dave, Barrero is the only one you listed that had the talent/body to remain at SS, and I thought Hinds came up as a 3B.

          Lin is the best argument in your list. It’s still a different scenario than what I was saying. The Reds saw him as a better pitcher, and decided to go down a very different development path, much like they did with Greene when he was regarded as an excellent SS prospect as well as an excellent SP. The big difference is Greene never played SS for the Reds, but Lin had a season where they played him at several positions.

          The Reds did move Marte almost as quickly as you could ask for since he was a Mariner, but he was already in AA. I think his lack of skill at 3B could be a result of the later timing of his position switch.

          EDLC never had a season as SS strictly until 2024. 2019 he played SS 2 to 1 over 2B. 2021 EDLC played more 3B than SS. 22, and 23 also very well mixed between SS and 3B.

          Really this is all beside the point that I was trying to make. The Reds have a glaring hole in the OF on the MLB level, and all the way down through the minors.

          2019 is the last year the Reds had a prospect in their top 5 as an OF prospect. #1 Senzel (converted OF), and #Trammell.

          I don’t care how the team fixes it, but it needs to be fixed if they ever want to be good organizationally.

          Spending money on FA’s is another fix, but the club seems to be against that model.

          Trading for an OF is a fix, but we also seem to be a bit gun shy on that.

          Drafting is a fix, but we’ve seemed to move away from that since Allen.

          Converting top prospects is the only fix that I see left.

      2. @MBS, We are in agreement that throughout the system the OF position is very thin, especially with any top tier talent. I also agree that the Reds will not be players in FA or most likely make any big splash trade for an OF leaving only the draft and position swapping as options to address that weakness.

        However, I would argue that the Reds have tried to position swap numerous players at different levels to the OF and have not succeeded to the degree to change that depth in the past, nor do I see the players there now who could swap that around. I actually feel our position player side of the system is very poor minus a couple prospects who could become average major leaguers at best in the future. (Arroyo, Collier, Stewart, Stafura)

        My question to you, which top prospects could we convert that would actually make a difference in the OF weakness? The Reds have flirted with converting McLain and have converted Steer, have converted Hrod, Jorge, and Johnson. None of those have made a big difference and were all top 25 prospects.

        Secondly, we have spent top picks on OFs and missed Allen (who could turn it around) Hendricks, even Hinds was a 2nd round pick.

        1. At the MLB level it’s McLain, he’s blocked by EDLC at his “natural position”. He’s also got some history in CF.

          Marte has a nice arm, nice speed, outgrew SS, and hasn’t transitioned to 3B well. I’d put him in AAA’s RF and see how he develops.

          It is better in my eyes to convert players at a younger age to increase the odds that they will not only succeed in the new position. The better the prospect, the better off we will be. We are where we are unfortunately with the state of the outfield.

          To be fair our best hitting prospects are not OF material. Collier, and Stewart are too slow, and should be corner infielders.

          Tyson Lewis is our #6 prospect and there are questions about him being able to stick at SS. He’s the number one guy in the minors I’d transition. He’s 6’2 195 out of high school with 60 Run and 55 Arm. That seems like fringy CF, but great possible LF tools.

          Ricardo Cabrera is our #10 prospect, and he’s already been moved off of SS to 3B, but his 55 Run, and 60 Arm would work well in the OF corners.

          I’d leave Arroyo, and Stafura at SS.

          I owe @Dave an apology, Hinds was a SS, and I thought he was a 3B when he was drafted. Hendrick hasn’t panned out, but @Doug gave Allen a surprisingly high floor, so we’ll see.

          Like I said above, I don’t care which one of the methods they use to improve the OF, but I do care that it seems to be none of the above.

        2. Fair arguments MBS. I think getting Lux (after losing India) gives them the option on McLain. I honestly just don’t see Marte panning out anywhere. From an outsiders perspective and watching him play in the minors, he seems to be fairly lackadaisical in his approach to most things. (that could be totally wrong as I don’t see his day in day out approach).

          I also agree about moving them earlier rather than later. Making “winning plays” and understanding the small details that matter can only be learned through experience and making those mistakes at the big league level because of switching positions isn’t acceptable in my opinion.

        3. MBS it’s all cool. I actually had a reply 90% done yesterday but lost it twice (I’ve been having a vision issue so between my phone’s tendency to lose things and ‘old man stabs at touchscreen with stubby fingers’ it’s been an adventure). I’m going to use a Twitter approach til i get things straightened out. Shorter replies below.

        4. Marte has all kinds of problems, lets hope if it is a mentality issue Tito can get him on the right path.

          2B is our most MLB option rich position in my opinion. 1 McLain is a SS, but plenty of 2B experience. Lux is and for the most part has always been a 2B. Steer has said that 2B is his best position. Espinal looked fantastic defensively at 2B.

          That’s not to mention the fact that Arroyo is a possible 2025, and probable 2026 callup. If EDLC is SS, then Arroyo’s bat plays better at 2B than 3B, and his glove plays anywhere.

          The Reds also have Stewart playing 2B (2026 possible), although I’d rather see him at 3B, and Collier 1B from here on out.

        5. I see two tracts coming out of MBS’ points about the outfield.

          One is, Who succeeds TJ Friedl in CF. The better candidates in the system are Bowman, Dunn, Hurtubise, Jorge, Allen II, O’Donnell, Sirotka (oh well), then a long dropoff to Henley.

          Dunn had a chance to be a RH Friedl type of player, but we’ll see at this point. Maybe one of last year’s Dayton kids, maybe not. MLB.com is pretty optimistic about Henley sticking in CF, but he’s a long ways off and he has yet to play a year in full season ball. So, we do not have a Julio Rodriguez, either offensively or defensively (few do) but it sure would be nice. Otherwise our CF would be a 3rd or 4th OF on any playoff team.

        6. The other tract is corner OF, where we lack a player with good hitting combined with good power. Benson, Hinds, HRod, Confidan, Almonte, Pineda and who? It’s thin here as well (having watched Cabrera, he might have some Spencer Steer OF in him but i can’t even see that).

          Which leads to Marte. His speed, arm, hit tool (i still believe) and, especially, his 60 grade power probably make him our best RF candidate, especially after the debacle at 3B last year.

          I think he’ll get time for redemption, as his best chance for success does not yet include a position switch. But, with Stewart and Collier now a year closer to him, Satchel Page’s observation might be gaining itself.

        8. I’ve been on the Marte to RF bandwagon for a couple of years. His 3B footwork is atrocious. Might as well have Devin Mesoraco there, defensively. If he hasn’t learned it by now, then he isn’t going to learn it.

          I never understood why they didn’t take Marte’s suspension time last spring in Arizona and put him through endless drills in RF. Having put the Reds in limbo with his steroid silliness, what was Marte going to do? Pull a Bartleby the Scrivener and say “I would prefer not to”?

          And they should try Rece Hinds in CF this spring and in AAA. He has the speed and arm to be good there. What do they have to lose? They could put up with a good defensive CF who hits .200 but bangs 34 homers.

        9. @Dave, Yes, I like Marte for RF quite a bit. I’d love to see the Reds 2026 setup to be this.

          C Steph, DH Candy, 1B Collier
          2B Lux, 3B CES, SS EDLC
          RF Marte, CF McLain, LF Friedl

          C ????
          SS/2B Arroyo
          1B/3B Stewart
          RF/CF/LF (O’Donnell, Rodriguez)

          I was really thinking that the Reds would prioritize 2025 since EDLC is a possible MVP type, and Greene is a CY Young type. The lack of adding the impact bat has put me off a bit on “the plan”. I do think 2026 has the opportunity to be a big year for the team, but we are letting years of control slip through our fingers with EDLC, and Greene.

    5. Of the candidates for a switch to the OF, Stafura and Lewis are in the lead due to their athleticism. However, getting premium hitters who can stick at short stop likely prevents a switch until one or both are blocked or play themselves off the position. Then, they’d best profile in CF, given their power. Where my thinking evolves gets stuck is whether and to what degree they’d be a good switch to a corner OF, particularly RF.

      1. My preference for the corner OF Is the prototypical RF. Doesn’t fit well or at all in center, big arm, big power, solid hit tool, usable speed. Rece Hinds meets Sal Stewart. LF sees a bit more latitude in athleticism (tho MK sometimes makes the case for putting the better defender in left rather than right). Maybe Yerlin Confidan meets Sal Stewart. So, dies this more or less exempt Stafura or Lewis from a corner, given their power? Maybe or maybe not.

      2. Looking at the prospective roster construction for 2028, i see things ending much as you (MBS) do. As above it’s painfully obvious we need bats for the OF.

        Where i become more open to bypassing the prototypical RF or LF is with the power potential in Collier, CES, Elly, Stewart, and Duno.

        Do we absolutely need power in the corner OF? And does that open the door to Lewis, in particular, and Stafura (CF remains more of an option)?

        On one hand, why diminish the chance for even better team power and hitting by putting one of the short stop there.

        On the other, why not get one of the better bats on the field, given:

        RF. Unknown*
        CF. Unknown*
        LF. Unknown*

        I suspect the key to it all is one other than Elly de la Cruz, and our succession planning for his move to free agency. Sn we even get a modest extension to his age 28-29 seasons? Or do we need a definite replacement in five years? Hope for the best and plan for the worst means keep premium short stops where they are. But betting on our proclivity to identify and acquire premium middle infielders is another path forward, too.

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