With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching on August 1st. The Cincinnati Reds have been reported to be open for Jonathan India trades. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year is overshadowed by the bevy of rookie infielders taking over (De La Cruz, McLain, Steer, and Encarnacion-Strand).
With the ample number of Infielders, and Infield prospects on the rise in the Reds organization. The Cincinnati Reds shifting their focus on the Starting Pitching, that has been under performing other than rookie Andrew Abbott and Hunter Greene who currently is on the IL until Mid August with Hip soreness.
Jonathan India is 26 years old and is signed through the 2023 season, then having 3 years of Arbitration thru 2026. Playing in 100 games so far this year, India is hitting .251 with 14 home runs, 51 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a .749 OPS. He can bolster any middle infield and lineup with a 1.1 WAR this season.
1. Jonathan India and Leonardo Balcazar (CIN #19 Prospect) for Edward Cabrera
Leonardo Balcazar was signed in 2021 out of Venezuel. In 2022, only 18 years old he started in the Arizona Complex League Balcazar slashed .322/.411/.476 with 4 HRs, 26 RBI and 13 SBs. This year Balcazar is in Single A, thru 18 games is slashing .324/.427/.471 with 1 HR, 11 RBI and 2 SBs.
Edward Cabrera is currently 25 years old, he is signed thru 2024 with Arbitration starting in 2025 and will not be a free agent until 2029. He is injury prone, since being called up on August 25th 2021 Cabrera has hit the Injured list 7 times, just recently returning from a shoulder impingement.
Cabrera is currently supporting a 5-5 record with a 4.50 ERA 1.375 WHIP and 90 Strikeouts thru 72 Innings pitched. In 2022, pitching 71.2 innings he had a 3.01 ERA 1.074 WHIP and 75 Strikeouts with a 6-4 record.
2. Jonathan India and Victor Acosta (CIN #12 Prospect) for Diego Castillo and Bryan Woo
Victor Acosta was acquired by the Reds from the San Diego Padres in 2022 in exchange for Brandon Drury. Acosta is a switch hitting SS from the Dominican Republic. Acosta burst on the scene and was San Diego's #6 ranked prospect at the time of the trade, hitting .285/.431/.484 with 5 HRs 31 RBI and 26 SBs. This year Acosta is in Single A still only 19 years old, slashing .242/.363/.335 with 1 HR 22 RBI and 8 SBs.
Coming into 2023 Bryan Woo was Seattle's #7 ranked prospect, being drafted in the 6th round in 2021. Woo made quick work of the minor leagues, only making 25 starts from Rookie league up to Double A in his 1+ years. Getting his debut this year on June 3rd. Woo's contract is just starting, having control for the 6 years before being a free agent, which is great.
Since being called up, Woo supports a 4.91 ERA 1.205 WHIP thru 44 innings and having 55 Strikeouts with a 1-3 record. Along with Diego Castillo, in 2022 had a 3.64 ERA with 53 Strikeouts in 54 Innings. In 2023 Castillo has gone downhill a bit with a 6.23 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in 8 appearances.
3. Jonathan India and Lyon Richardson (CIN #25 Prospect) for Bryce Miller
Bryce Miller was a 4th round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. In 2022 Miller compiled 133.2 Innings across Single A, A+ and Double A with a 3.16 ERA 1.040 WHIP and 163 Strikeouts. Before the 2023 season Miller was Seattle's #3 Ranked Prospect, Since debuting on May 2nd Miller has started 13 games with a 6-3 record and a 3.50 ERA 0.97 WHIP and 7 Quality Starts.
Richardson was drafted in the 2018 Draft in the 2nd round out of high school. Richardson had a tough first three seasons in the league, supporting a 7.14 ERA 1.828 WHIP(2018) 4.15 ERA 1.411 WHIP(2019) and 5.09 ERA 1.474 WHIP (2021). Richardson has now found himself and has been dominating Single A and now Double A with a combined 1.96 ERA 1.145 WHIP pitching 55 innings with 76 Strikeouts.
Seattle is struggling badly at 2B with Kolten Wong and Jose Caballero combining for a -0.2 WAR this season. Losing a Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo for India would not affect them too much, having a strong pitching prospect in Emerson Hancock in Double A ready to make his MLB debut. Seattle's starting rotation this year has been so strong with George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo along with Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo. Robbie Ray and Marco Gonzales on the IL.
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