On Sunday the 2026 minor league season officially came to an end for the Cincinnati Reds farm system. The Louisville Bats wrapped up their Triple-A season with a loss to Toledo. With that, the last team that was playing was done and there’s going to be no more minor league baseball until March 26th next year. We don’t know exactly what that will look like, though, as players on the 40-man roster are a part of the MLBPA and if there’s still a lockout happening those players – even if they are expected to be minor leaguers in 2027, are not eligible to play in the minor leagues until a new CBA is reached.
But just because the minor league season is over doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of baseball to look forward to. There are fall and winter leagues that take place every single “offseason” that have players from every organization in Major League Baseball participating. Some of the leagues are bigger, more well known, full of better players, and easier to watch and follow than others. The biggest and most well-known leagues take place in the Arizona Fall League, the Dominican Republic (LIDOM), Venezuela (LVBP), Mexico (LMP), Puerto Rico (LBPRC), and Australia. The league in Australia is not close to being on-par with the others, but it’s one that is both easy to follow and to watch due to how it’s covered in Australia. A few other countries also have winter league baseball but there is very little coverage – even by the teams themselves – making even simple stats tough to track.
Let’s take a look at the dates that the fall/winter league season begins for the leagues mentioned above:
- Arizona Fall League: October 3rd
- Mexican Winter League: October 13th
- Venezuelan Winter League: October 13th
- Dominican Winter League: October 16th
- Puerto Rican Winter League: November 4th
- Australian Winter League: November 19th
We know which Reds will be in the Arizona Fall League. The Reds prospects will be playing for the Peoria Javelinas this year. Cincinnati’s eight prospects will be: Infielders Carlos Sanchez and Carter Graham, outfielder Jay Allen II, and pitchers Luke Holman, Cody Adcock, Victor Diaz, Trent Hodgdon, and Jose Montero.
Beyond that, we don’t know who is going to play or where. But, if you are subscribed to the Patreon newsletter (and why aren’t you if you’ve got a few bucks to spare each month?), then you saw last week where I reported that the plan as of right now (and plans do change at times) was for Alfredo Duno, the Reds top prospect, to play for Caracas this winter in Venezuela’s winter league.
Last year the Reds sent multiple of their Dominican Summer League prospects to Australia to get them more time on the field and it set them up to play in Arizona this past spring and summer. Well, sort of. Two of the guys wound up missing most of the season with injuries, but Jirvin Morillo hit well enough to be in the MVP conversation most years in the complex league before moving up to finish out the season with Single-A Daytona for the final month.
We’ll start to see more information on potential rosters for most of the leagues soon. When that’s available I will be sure to share that information.
I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Graham made it to the Reds MLB roster in 2027 (if there is one). And not shocked if Duno was a Red by September 2027 (again if).
Reggie Sanders jumped from AA in 1991 to Reds in 1992.
Who do you see being added to the 40 man this offseason?
Going to have a full series about that starting next month.
I thought José Montero could pitch in Venezuelan LVBP but he was sent to AFL. Jose Franco could go back again there to play for Magallanes maybe having the same plane as last offseason…There is a possibility Balcazar will play for Anzoategui also in Venezuela.