The Cincinnati Reds are going to have six prospects play in the Arizona Fall League this year. And they are also going to be playing for a manager from the organization, too. Julio Morillo, who has managed at several levels for the Reds in years past after his playing career came to an end (which was also with the Reds), will serve as the Peoria Javelinas’ manager in 2025. This season Morillo was a coach with the Louisville Bats. Three of the players from Cincinnati’s organization are among their Top 15 prospects, and two of them – Alfredo Duno and Cam Collier – are among their Top 10. Those two will be joined be Leo Balcazar, Johnathan Harmon, Luke Hayden, and Trevor Kuncl.
Alfredo Duno, the Reds #1 prospect, will headline the group from the Reds to play for the Javelinas. The 19-year-old catcher from Venezuela had a huge season for the Daytona Tortugas in 2025. He led the Florida State League in nearly every offensive category except batting average and steals. Duno finished second in average in the league. He should easily win the MVP of the league when they name the award winners. You can see his career stats here.
Cam Collier, Cincinnati’s #7 rated prospect, is going to be looking to make up for some lost time in 2025. The corner infielder was playing first base for the Reds this spring when he suffered a thumb injury that required surgery. He would miss the start of the season and after rehabbing in the lower minor leagues he joined Chattanooga in the middle of June. The 20-year-old has spent his time there ever since, playing in 71 games. He’s battled consistency in his return, going through a 4-52 slump last month before turning things around over the last three weeks where he’s hitting .351. You can see his career stats here.
Shortstop Leo Balcazar has spent his season at two different levels. In the first half with Dayton he was at shortstop nearly every day and showed off solid power for the Dragons while hitting .262/.433/.413. During the second half the Reds #15 prospect moved up to Double-A Chattanooga, but with the Lookouts much of his time has been spent at second base with Edwin Arroyo manning shortstop most nights. At the plate things have been quite different in Double-A as he’s only had six extra-base hits in 47 games, but the 21-year-old has walked more than he’s struck out at the level, too. You can see his career stats here.
Starting pitcher Johnathan Harmon only made five starts for Dayton this season. He pitched six innings out in Arizona on rehab before joining the Dragons in August. Harmon underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2024, but has a 1.59 ERA in his return in his limited action for Dayton. The righty will get a chance to extend his season, so to speak, by picking up a little more time on the mound now that the season is over for the Dragons. You can see his career stats here.
Luke Hayden also pitched for Dayton this year. Unlike Harmon, though, Hayden didn’t miss any games and wound up making 24 starts for the Dragons in 2025 and throwing 101.1 innings with a 4.09 ERA. The right-hander had some struggled throwing strikes as the season went along, walking 72 batters on the season and hitting another seven guys while striking out 79. He’s got quality stuff but needs to find some more consistency. In Arizona even the starters don’t tend to have longer outings, so perhaps he can find a groove in shorter outings. You can see his career stats here.
Trevor Kuncl will be the lone reliever that Cincinnati is sending to pitch for Peoria. A free agent signing in October of 2024 after pitching in the Mexican Winter League with Mexicalli, the now 26-year-old right-hander has been dominant for Double-A Chattanooga. He’s picked up 20 saves this season and has a 2.25 ERA in 45 games. Kuncl, who had never pitched in a minor league game until this season, has thrown 48.0 innings this season and allowed just two home runs, walked 17, and struck out 49. You can see his career stats here.
The Arizona Fall League begins on October 6th and will run through November 15th when the championship game will be played. The annual Fall Stars game, which is more of a prospect showcase than an “all-star” like game, will be played on November 9th and will be on MLB Network.
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