Recently, Reds general manager Nick Krall talked about the “looking at long-term success and focus on sustainability.” The moves made post-lockout, in terms of adding financial flexibility and bringing in players who can help, were presumably made with that in mind.

The Reds are coming off two straight winning seasons at the big league level, making the playoffs in the truncated 2020 season, but falling short a year ago. The moves made don’t seem as much of a rebuild as they are pointed toward trying to be competitive for longer. Yes, Jesse Winker, Sonny Gray and Eugenio Suarez are gone. The return was some big league ready, yet young, pieces. No. 5 prospect Brandon Williamson -- acquired from the Mariners on March 14 -- could contribute this year.

So could a good number of the prospects in this year’s Top 30. It may seem like Hunter Greene was drafted ages ago, but the fact of the matter is he’s still only 22 years old. Reds fans have been clamoring for him to get to Cincinnati since Draft day, especially since he lit up the radar gun at the 2018 Futures Game. Tommy John surgery slowed him down, but Reds Nation will get their wish. It’s hard to imagine the flame-throwing Greene NOT spending considerable time in Cincy this year.

And there’s a good chance he’ll be joined by No. 2 prospect Nick Lodolo. The 2019 first-round pick was shelved with a shoulder issue, but all systems appear to be go now and he should be a nice left-handed complement to Greene atop the Reds' rotation in due time.

Most of the offensive talent brought into the system of late has been of the farther away, high-upside variety. That might require patience, but the payoff could be huge coming in back of a strong and young rotation.

Here’s a look at the Reds' top prospects:
1. Hunter Greene, RHP (MLB No. 22)
2. Nick Lodolo, LHP (MLB No. 42)
3. Elly De La Cruz, 3B/SS (MLB No. 76)
4. Matt McLain, SS (MLB No. 87)
5. Brandon Williamson, LHP
Complete Top 30 list >>

Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2021 preseason list to the 2022 preseason list.

Jump: Elly De La Cruz, 3B/SS (2021: NR | 2022: 3)
De La Cruz had a decent, but relatively nondescript pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. Then he dominated the Arizona Complex League so much that the Reds had to promote him to Single-A after 11 games. He has the chance to be an exciting five-tool player.

Fall: Riley O’Brien, RHP (2021: 16 | 2022: NR)

The Reds were excited to get O’Brien from the Rays in late August 2020 as a right-hander who might be able to impact the big league rotation soon. While he did make his big league debut with the Reds last year, he had a 4.55 ERA in Triple-A and walked 4.4 per nine.

Top 30s
NLE: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH
ALE: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TOR
NLC: CIN | CHC | MIL | PIT | STL
ALC: CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIN
NLW: ARI | COL | LAD | SD | SF
ALW: HOU | LAA | OAK | SEA | TEX

Best tools

Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 60 -- Matt McLain (Alejo Lopez)
Power: 60 -- Rece Hinds (Austin Hendrick)
Run: 65 -- Justice Thompson
Arm: 60 -- Rece Hinds (Elly De La Cruz, Mat Nelson, Jose Torres, Mike Siani, Daniel Vellojin)
Defense: 60 -- Mike Siani (Jose Torres, Justice Thompson, TJ Friedl)
Fastball: 80 -- Hunter Greene (Joe Boyle)
Curveball: 60 -- Brandon Williamson (Andrew Abbott)
Slider: 60 -- Graham Ashcraft (Bryce Bonnin)
Changeup: 55 -- Reiver Sanmartin (Nick Lodolo, Christian Roa)
Control: 60 -- Nick Lodolo

How they were built
Draft: 20 | International: 6 | Trade: 3 | Free agent: 1

Breakdown by ETA
2022: 7 | 2023: 7 | 2024: 11 | 2025: 4 | 2026: 1

Breakdown by position
C: 3 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 2 | SS: 3 | OF: 8 | RHP: 7 | LHP: 4