Arizona Fall League Preview: Cincinnati Reds
By Peyton Hayes ·
The Cincinnati Reds are sending eight players to the Peoria Javelinas this fall. Luke Holman, 80Grade's No. 28 Reds prospect, is building innings after Tommy John surgery, while Carter Graham, Carlos Sanchez and Yerlin Confidan all reached Double-A Chattanooga this season. Four pitchers who need to throw more strikes round out the group.
Luke Holman Returns to the Mound
Right-hander Luke Holman, 23, had Tommy John surgery early in the 2025 season and had thrown only nine professional innings before it. He returned this summer with four rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League, posting a 2.70 ERA with nine strikeouts and one walk over 6⅔ innings, and he has not pitched since July 21. His slider is his best pitch, and he pairs it with a low-90s fastball that has ride, plus a curveball and changeup; 80Grade projects him as a back-end starter. The AFL gives Holman the chance to show his elbow is sound and to handle a bigger workload than his short rehab outings allowed.
Carlos Sanchez Seeks Consistency
Shortstop Carlos Sanchez, 21, showed his on-base skills with a .376 OBP across High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga this season. He walked in 14.5% of his 579 plate appearances and stole 23 bases. Sanchez hit .313 at Dayton but .214 over 58 games at Chattanooga, so his AFL work centers on the quality of his contact. He signed with the Reds in January 2022 and is not on the 40-man roster, which makes him eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the first time this December, and a strong fall could shape that decision.
Carter Graham's Power Potential
First baseman Carter Graham, 25, hit 29 home runs between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga this season, with a .300/.421/.565 line. 80Grade grades his raw power at 60, and he kept producing after the promotion, slugging .514 at Chattanooga. In the AFL, Graham will work on his approach against advanced pitching, with a focus on his 21.2% strikeout rate. If the power holds while his contact improves, Graham becomes a legitimate candidate for a power-first role with the Reds. He also logged time at third base and left field this year, though 80Grade's report sees first base and DH as his long-term home.
Yerlin Confidan's Outfield Bat
Outfielder Yerlin Confidan, 23, pairs raw power with a strong arm, which 80Grade grades at 60. This season, he hit .255/.332/.405 with 15 home runs between Dayton and Chattanooga, playing all three outfield spots. Confidan will use the AFL to work on his contact, with the goal of trimming a 23.0% strikeout rate. His arm plays in right field, and steadier defense overall would strengthen his case for a bench role.
Quick Hits: Reds' Pitching Prospects
Cody Adcock posted a 3.88 ERA and a 31.3% strikeout rate over 62⅔ innings between Dayton and Chattanooga, but his 14.9% walk rate keeps control as his main focus. The AFL gives him more innings to refine his command.
Jose Montero posted a 3.13 ERA at High-A Dayton, mostly as a starter, before a 5.20 ERA after his move to Double-A Chattanooga. His AFL focus is raising his strikeout rate and limiting home runs; he allowed eight in 55⅓ innings at Chattanooga.
Trent Hodgdon struck out 31.4% of hitters and saved 11 games at Dayton, but he walked 18.8% and needed 19.7 pitches per inning, so efficiency is his area for improvement.
Victor Diaz struck out 30.3% of hitters between Dayton and Chattanooga but walked 15.5%. Like Hodgdon, he needs to sharpen his control and efficiency in the AFL.
The Reds will track Holman's workload and Sanchez's contact most closely in Peoria. Holman is pitching in games again after Tommy John surgery, and Sanchez's fall comes just before the Reds decide whether to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.