On Tuesday, the Reds announced they have invited 15 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training, headlined by right-hander Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Burns will be joined by pitchers Jose Acuña, Zach Maxwell, Chase Petty, Bryan Shaw, Lenny Torres and Alex Young; catchers Will Banfield, Michael Trautwein and Austin Wynns; infielders Edwin Arroyo, Cam Collier, Ivan Johnson and Sal Stewart and outfielder Hector Rodriguez.
This is one of the first times fans will see Burns in a Reds uniform, as the top pitcher in last year’s Draft class did not appear in a Minor League game last season. The top prospect in Cincinnati's system according to MLB Pipeline, Burns is the No. 21 prospect in baseball.
Arroyo (No. 65 overall) Stewart (No. 76) and Collier (No. 93) are also on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list. Petty (No. 8), Rodriguez (No. 12) and Maxwell (No. 20) are on the Reds’ Top 30 Prospects list.
The 26-year-old Johnson posted an .896 OPS and six home runs in 46 games with Triple-A Louisville last season. Acuña pitched to a 3.69 ERA in 15 games across three levels in 2024, including four outings in Triple-A.
Shaw has by far the most experience of this group of mostly prospects, having pitched in parts of 14 Major League seasons. He appeared in just five games with the White Sox in 2024 before he was designated for assignment on April 12, but the 37-year-old right-hander brings a lengthy resume to a bullpen in search of contributors. Shaw has recorded a career 3.96 ERA over his 796 games and has amassed 681 strikeouts. He signed a Minor League deal with the Reds on Jan. 4.
Young, 31, split last season between the Reds and Mets, striking out 15 over 15 2/3 Major League innings. The six-year veteran southpaw has had success with Cincinnati, going 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA across 53 2/3 innings in 2023.
Banfield and Wynns signed Minor League contracts this offseason. Wynns appeared in seven games with the Reds in 2024, racking up seven hits in 19 at-bats. He has played parts of six Major League seasons. Banfield, 24, is still trying to crack the Majors after spending last season in the Marlins’ system.