One of the more fun aspects of the waning months of the offseason is seeing the non-roster invitees to Spring Training. There’s always a mixture of young prospects looking to gain their first bit of Major League Baseball experience by competing against (some, not all) big leaguers for the first time. On the other hand, there are also established big leaguers who are looking to regain their footing. Or players with prior big league experience on the cusp between Triple-A and the Majors, looking for their chance.
Spring Training is always a welcoming sight for the returning everyday players. But there is always an added level of intrigue on whether or not a prospect will break camp with the team, or if there was a hidden gem journeyman who proved himself worthy of a roster spot.
As for the Cincinnati Reds, they will be inviting six players as NRI to Spring Training.
Cam Collier – IF
Cam Collier is ranked 94th overall among MLB prospects. At 21 years old, he had an impressive year in the minor leagues, rising all the way from rookie ball to Double-A. He played 10 games in rookie ball, 11 in High-A, and 74 in Double-A.
In those 74 Double-A games, Collier slashed .263/.377/.347 for a .724 OPS. The home run power was lacking as he only hit two homers, but his bat-to-ball skills remained very solid. This isn’t to say that he is simply a singles hitter, though, as he did have 16 doubles. It is simply pointing out that there is an aspect of his game that has not yet been developed.
Even with that, his .724 OPS wasn’t great. But it also wasn’t bad, especially considering he was 3.7 years younger than the average age of players in Double-A.
The jump from the lower minor leagues to Double-A is usually regarded as the most difficult jump to make for a player. Collier has seemingly handled it pretty well. He will not break camp with the big league club, but it will be valuable experience for the young corner infielder.
Connor Burns – C
Connor Burns was a fifth-round pick by the Reds back in 2023. Also making the jump to Double-A, just like Collier. In 26 Double-A games in 2025, Burns slashed .120/.275/.227 for a .501 OPS. His struggles at the plate weren’t strictly a result of playing at a higher level, though. As he slashed a poor .192/.271/.374 for a .645 OPS in 58 High-A games.
Even in college at Long Beach State, Burns was never much of a hitter. His contributions come almost exclusively from behind the dish. Baseball America was perhaps too harsh with their scouting report on him, but it seems to be true so far in his career. They said that his bat was essentially useless and that, despite the contributions he brings through defense, he gives it all away at the plate.
Burns is likely never going to develop as a big league hitter, but there is a potential for him to maybe crack an MLB roster one day as a third catcher. It will, however, definitely not be this upcoming season with the Reds. But it’s still good to see him get an opportunity this spring.
Yunior Marte – RHP
The first pitcher on our list is 30-year-old journeyman, formerly of the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, Yunior Marté. In three full seasons out of the bullpen, Marte’s best season came in 2023 with Philly, where he had a 5.03 ERA in 40 appearances.
In his career, he has recorded a negative bWAR in all three seasons, accumulating a career -1.4 bWAR. His fastball is lively, sitting at 96.4 MPH (86th percentile), but it doesn’t provide him with much success, at least not yet.
It will be interesting to watch him this spring. His slider and sinker combination could become useful in the bullpen if the Reds’ pitching development can figure some stuff out with him.
P.J. Higgins – C/IF
P.J. Higgins has only ever laced up the cleats in the North Side of Chicago, where he was a negative WAR player both years (2021 and 2022). He only has 83 career games, and he has slashed .210/.291/.348 for a .639 OPS and 93 OPS+.
He is mostly a first baseman and catcher, two positions that are already crowded enough in Cincinnati. It will, however, be interesting to see if he ever becomes a third catcher on the team. With Ben Rortvedt’s arrival, though, it’s looking like Higgins can only get that opportunity if multiple injuries occur.
Anthony Misiewicz – LHP
Cracking the list as the only left-handed pitcher today is the 31-year-old journeyman, Anthony Misiewicz. There’s honestly not much to be said about him, as he has struggled immensely in limited action in the big leagues over the past few seasons.
He is a soft-tossing lefty, utilizing mainly cutters, changeups, and curveballs. Which oddly mirrors Brent Suter, who has been a trusty Reds bullpen arm. If the Reds’ pitching development can shape him into a “Brent Suter-like” pitcher, he can be a useful piece in the bullpen.
Michael Trautwein – C
Michael Trautwein, 26, has been in the Reds’ minor league system for a few years now. His light-hitting offense kind of caps his game, but he is another catcher who will fight for a job in Double-A once spring ends.
Main Photo Credit: Lowres- USA Today