Red Reporter
AAAA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
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Sal Stewart wins 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart clinches the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year award, edging out JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) and Carson Benge (Mets). Stewart posted a stunning rookie line of 32 home runs and 112 RBIs, topping the vote despite both rivals posting 4 WAR seasons. His win marks the Reds' first Rookie of the Year since Jonathan India in 2021 and secures a Prospect Promotion Initiative pick and an extra first‑round slot for next summer’s draft.
Cincinnati Reds links – Francona talks pitching coach, Confidan wins AFL honors
Manager Terry Francona discusses the Reds’ new pitching coach, Joe Torres, who joins from the Cleveland Guardians and shares a coaching lineage with Carl Willis. The club also faces the potential loss of closer Emilio Pagán, who entered free agency but remains a candidate for a 2027 return. Meanwhile, Reds prospect Yerlin Confidan earns the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars MVP after a key double and bases‑loaded walk in a 7‑4 win, though he falls short in the Home Run Derby. Additionally, outfielder Noelvi Marte shines in the Dominican Winter League.
How to play in-5 Trivia on the SB Nation app
SB Nation launches its daily in-5 trivia game on the mobile app, challenging fans to name a former baseball player in five clues or fewer. Players earn points by guessing quickly, then post scores in the game’s comment thread to compete with others. The MLB version is available by following the "MLB" community, and similar formats exist for NBA, NFL, MMA, and pro wrestling, plus 25 team‑specific quizzes. The article explains the simple rules and invites readers to test their sports knowledge on the go.
Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart named NL Silver Slugger Award finalists
The National League Silver Slugger finalists were revealed, and the Cincinnati Reds have two players in the mix. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz joins Washington’s CJ Abrams and Miami’s Otto Lopez after posting a 30‑30 season with a 142 OPS+. Utility‑man Sal Stewart competes with Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers and San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. after hitting 32 homers, 112 RBIs and posting a 117 OPS+. Both face stiff competition, and the winners will be announced on November 17. No Red has captured a Silver Slugger since Nick Castellanos in 2021.
Trio of prospects to represent Cincinnati Reds in Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game
The Cincinnati Reds have three prospects named to the National League roster for the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game. Outfielder Yerlin Confidan leads the league with a .339 average and .998 OPS, while also gearing up for the AFL Home Run Derby. Infielder Carlos Sanchez, a 21‑year‑old who just advanced from High‑A to AA, posts a .259/.397/.534 line with four homers and a perfect walk‑to‑strikeout ratio. Right‑hander Luke Holman rebounds from injury, delivering a 1.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 13 innings. The Fall Stars Game streams on MLB.com with the first pitch around 8 PM ET.
Cincinnati Reds name Joe Torres as new pitching coach
The Cincinnati Reds have hired former Guardians assistant pitching coach Joe Torres as their new major‑league pitching coach, effective immediately ahead of the 2027 season. Torres, 44, is a former 1st‑round pick of the Anaheim Angels in 2000 and a left‑handed prospect once ranked #50 by Baseball America, but his playing career was derailed by Tommy John surgery. He transitioned to coaching with the Guardians’ farm system in 2017, working under Terry Francona. Torres replaces Derek Johnson, who was dismissed after a prolonged leave of absence in the 2026 season.
Former Cincinnati Reds 1st round pick Austin Hendrick becomes free agent
Former Cincinnati Reds first‑round pick Austin Hendrick becomes a free agent after five seasons in the minors. Selected #12 overall in the pandemic‑shortened 2020 MLB Draft, the left‑handed outfielder struggled with swing‑and‑miss issues, never breaking through the majors and posting a .566 OPS in 58 AAA games in 2026. The Reds opted not to add him to their 40‑man roster, joining 20 other minor leaguers, including former big‑leaguers Michael Chavis and Garrett Hampson, in free agency. Hendrick’s rise and fall highlight the draft’s 2020 “misses” alongside peers like Robert Hassell and Zac Veen.
Sal Stewart named finalist for NL Rookie of the Year Award
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart joins Carson Benge (Mets) and JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) as the three finalists for the 2026 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, announced by MLB on Nov. 2. Stewart, the NL Rookie of the Month in April and August, finished with over 30 homers, 100 RBIs and a 117 OPS+, but a September slump and a move to first base hurt his WAR. Wetherholt offers Gold‑Glove‑level shortstop defense despite a .619 OPS in his final stretch, while Benge posted a 118 OPS+ with a 20/20 power‑speed line. The winner will be revealed on Nov. 9, and the rookie’s team receives valuable draft compensation.
Cincinnati Reds claim pitchers Duncan Davitt, Paxton Schultz off waivers
The Cincinnati Reds claimed right‑handers Duncan Davitt and Paxton Schultz off waivers on Monday, adding two low‑cost depth arms as they near the 2027 roster deadline. Davitt, a 27‑year‑old former 18th‑round pick of the Rays with experience as a starter and reliever and a 9.4 K/9 in the minors, was taken from the Giants. Schultz, a former 14th‑round pick of the Brewers who spent five years with Toronto before moving to Washington, brings 57 innings of big‑league work. Both have remaining options, giving the Reds flexibility as they rebuild their bullpen.
Ranking the offseason needs of the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds end 2026 at the bottom of the NL Central and face a massive offseason overhaul after losing starters like Brady Singer and catcher Tyler Stephenson to free agency, plus options on Pierce Johnson, Emilio Pagán and Eugenio Suárez. Red Reporter ranks their biggest needs: more reliable starting pitching (with Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder regressing), a true everyday catcher, a top‑of‑the‑order bat to replace the collapsed leadoff spot, and a rebuilt bullpen to replace Pagán, Johnson and Brock Burke. The piece outlines why each area is critical and what internal or external options might fill the gaps.
Emilio Pagán declines option to stay with Reds, reaches free agency
The Cincinnati Reds have declined Emilio Pagán's $10 million option for 2027, making the 36‑year‑old closer a free agent. Pagán finished the 2026 season strong after a hamstring injury, posting a 3‑0 record, 1.71 ERA, 29 strikeouts in 26.1 innings and 18 saves. Over his three years in Cincinnati he recorded 58 saves with a 3.44 ERA, though his 2026 FIP rose to 4.18. The move frees up payroll but leaves the Reds scrambling for a new late‑inning reliever as they also lose Brock Burke and Pierce Johnson. Pagán could sign a multi‑year deal elsewhere.
Trading away Elly De La Cruz would be a metaphor for the Cincinnati Reds as a franchise
The Red Reporter argues that trading away 24‑year‑old shortstop Elly De La Cruz would epitomize the Cincinnati Reds' systemic failures. Despite boasting a 30‑30 season, a cheap, long‑term contract and a rare upside at a premium position, the franchise remains mired in last‑place standings, a broken farm system, injured ace, weak hitting, and a tiny ballpark. The piece paints the Reds as a house in disrepair, with De La Cruz as the lone gold‑mine that cannot rescue a club plagued by roster and financial woes, making his potential departure a stark metaphor for the team's overall dysfunction.
Important Offseason Dates as the Cincinnati Reds prep for 2027 season
The Reds’ 2027 offseason kicks off with free‑agency filings at 9 a.m. ET on October 29, followed by a five‑day exclusive negotiation window for players like Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke. By November 1 the Gold Glove winners are announced, and on November 2 the Silver Slugger finalists emerge, spotlighting Elly De La Cruz, while Sal Stewart becomes a NL Rookie of the Year contender. November 9 decides Stewart’s award and a potential extra first‑round pick for Cincinnati. The GM meetings run Nov 9‑12 in Las Vegas ahead of a looming lockout, with Cy Young winners named Nov 11 and MVPs on Nov 12. Hall of Fame ballots drop Nov 16, rounding out a packed calendar for Reds fans.
World Series Game 5 – Milwaukee Brewers at Tampa Bay Rays
In Game 4 of the 2026 World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays survived a dramatic 12th‑inning comeback, overturning Cooper Pratt's walk‑off homer to win 4‑3 over the Milwaukee Brewers. The victory forces a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday night at 8 PM ET, with Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski pitching for Tampa and right‑hander Drew Rasmussen starting for Milwaukee on short rest. Both teams have released their lineups, and FOX will broadcast the likely final MLB game before the upcoming lockout.
Sal Stewart named 2026 Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Rookie
Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart earns the 2026 Players Choice Awards National League Outstanding Rookie, tallying 32 home runs and 111 RBIs in his debut season. Voted by his peers, the honor follows his Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year win and precedes the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year announcement on November 9, which could net the Reds an extra first‑round draft pick. Stewart’s breakout performance adds significant hardware to his rookie résumé.
Brewers can clinch the World Series with a Game 4 win over Rays tonight
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the 2026 World Series 3-0 after a dominant 10-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3, setting up a chance to clinch the title with a Game 4 victory tonight at Tropicana Field. Brewers starter Dustin May will take the mound against Rays rookie Griffin Jax, who follows a short‑look at Freddy Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM ET on FOX. A win would give Milwaukee its first championship as the league heads toward a potential lockout after the CBA expires Dec. 1.
Where Edwin Arroyo fits into the Cincinnati Reds future (and present)
Edwin Arroyo, the 23‑year‑old switch‑hitting infielder the Reds acquired in the 2022 Luis Castillo trade, struggled through the 2026 season, posting a .223/.266/.264 line (.529 OPS) over 160 plate appearances and a dismal .171 OPS at Great American Ball Park. After a dominant AAA stint last year (.301/.367/.524, 15 homers), his major‑league defense and situational hitting have raised doubts about the trade’s payoff. The article weighs his potential—plus glovework and minor‑league power—against his immediate impact, comparing his trajectory to fellow infielder Matt McLain and discussing the franchise’s future in‑field options for 2027.
World Series Game 3 – Milwaukee Brewers at Tampa Bay Rays
After rallying from a 5-4 deficit to win Game 2 and take a 2-0 lead in the 2026 World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers head to Tropicana Field for Game 3. Left‑hander Robert Gasser receives the ball for Milwaukee, while former Brewer Freddy Peralta, now with Tampa Bay, makes his first start against his old club. The game is slated for a post‑8 PM ET kickoff on FOX. Lineups for both sides were released on MLB’s Twitter feed, confirming the key match‑ups for the decisive third contest.
Cincinnati Reds links – Arizona Fall League, Winter League standouts
While the World Series pauses, Cincinnati Reds prospects shine abroad. In the Arizona Fall League, 23‑year‑old outfielder Yerlin Confidan bursts onto the scene for the Peoria Javelinas, posting a .255 line with 15 homers in the regular season and a 1.097 OPS in AFL play, including a 7‑for‑12 stretch with a 110‑mph triple and a dinger. In the Venezuelan Winter League, 20‑year‑old catcher Alfredo Duno becomes the youngest homerer of the campaign. Meanwhile, former Reds prospect Noelvi Marte rebounds in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .400/.424/.567 in October, and rookie Carlos Jorge adds a two‑run blast for the Gigantes del Cibao.
World Series Game 2 – Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers
Nick Martinez delivers a solid start for the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1, but Milwaukee’s power trio—Cooper Pratt, Christian Yelich and a dominant bullpen—edges the Brewers to a 3‑2 victory at American Family Field. Game 2 kicks off Saturday just after 8 PM ET, with Milwaukee deploying right‑hander Logan Henderson to chase a 2‑0 series lead, while Tampa counters with postseason workhorse Drew Rasmussen (21 IP, 1.76 ERA, .76 WHIP). Lineups for both clubs are posted on MLB’s Twitter, and FOX will provide live coverage.
World Series Game 1 – Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers
The 2026 World Series kicks off Friday night at Milwaukee's American Family Field as the Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1. Milwaukee starts fireballer Jacob Misiorowski, who can touch 105 mph, while Tampa Bay counters with former Reds right‑hander Nick Martinez after a strong 2025 season. The roof will be closed, first pitch is set for just after 8 PM ET, and FOX will broadcast the game with John Smoltz on the call.
Cincinnati Reds announce passing of former 1B Todd Benzinger
The Cincinnati Reds mourn the death of former first baseman and 1990 World Series hero Todd Benzinger, who died at 63. A Dayton, Kentucky native, Benzinger was drafted by Boston before joining Cincinnati in a 1989 trade that sent Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy the other way. He hit 17 homers in his rookie season and played a key defensive role in the Reds’ 4‑0 sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series, famously making a dramatic ninth‑inning catch at Oakland‑Alameda County Coliseum. After retiring, he managed the Dayton Dragons and stayed active in youth coaching. Tributes poured in from the Reds organization and former teammate Rob Dibble.
One last chance for Matt McLain with the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds face a dilemma with infielder Matt McLain, who earned a $4.6 M signing bonus after being drafted 17th overall in 2021 and has now logged 1,073 plate appearances since 2025. Despite solid defensive reputation, his offensive numbers are among the league’s worst: a .204 batting average, .288 OBP, .339 slugging and a wRC+ of 74—the lowest among regulars with 1,000+ PA. He hits .167/.249/.303 against right‑handed pitchers (370 PA) and only modestly better versus lefties. Injuries have limited his development, and the Reds are likely to arbitrate him again for a modest raise in 2027. The article weighs his defensive value against persistently poor hitting.
Luke Holman back on prospect radar after excelling in Arizona Fall League
Luke Holman is re‑emerging as a top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds after a dominant Arizona Fall League outing. The 23‑year‑old former LSU right‑hander, who missed most of 2025–26 due to Tommy John surgery and a groin injury, threw nine innings, allowing one earned run while striking out 15 and walking just one. FanGraphs rates him the #17 prospect in the Reds’ system (MLB Pipeline lists him 23rd). If he stays healthy, Holman could quickly fill a glaring need for quality starting pitching in Cincinnati’s farm clubs, joining recent draftees like Chase Burns, Tyson Lewis and Mike Sirota in the organization’s 2024 draft success story.
There might yet be more to JJ Bleday for the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ 2026 season shined thanks to stars like Elly De La Cruz and Chase Burns, but corner outfielder JJ Bleday was a glaring underperformer, posting a .217/.324/.416 line and a disappointing 1.2 bWAR. After a strong start in AAA Louisville, Bledby earned a call‑up and briefly exploded in May, winning NL Player of the Month with a .301/.399/.655 slash and 10 homers in 31 games. However, his BABIP collapsed from .304 to .216 after June 2, and his extreme fly‑ball profile (51.4% FB) couldn’t sustain the early success. The article questions whether the Reds can unlock more value from the 29‑year‑old before his contract expires.
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