Reds FeedEdwin Arroyo
2B · Age 23 · Bats Switch
Where things stand
Edwin Arroyo's path to regular playing time with the Reds has narrowed considerably following the team's late-season acquisitions and his own struggles at the major league level. Arroyo batted .223 with a .264 slugging percentage across 50 games in 2026, and the Reds' additions of Juan Brito and Oswaldo Cabrera have crowded the middle infield alongside Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz. The organization may look to trade Arroyo during the offseason, potentially using his defensive skills as part of a package to acquire bullpen help. Arroyo was originally acquired in the Luis Castillo trade but has underperformed relative to expectations since graduating to the majors.
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2026 season
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Edwin Arroyo coverage
The Reds may be better at finding talent than developing it
The Reds have produced talent that found success elsewhere, with Jake Bauers, Nathaniel Lowe, and Ryan Vilade all contributing to playoff teams after leaving Cincinnati. While the Brewers, Guardians, and Rays have excelled at maximizing low-cost acquisitions, the Reds' core problem appears to be player development rather than talent evaluation. The organization has traded away players like Lowe and Vilade who are now performing well, and has struggled to develop prospects like Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo despite some successes with Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. Improving the development system would be necessary for Cincinnati to compete with these small-market rivals.
Blog Red MachineReds Notebook: Winter League Baseball could make a difference
The Cincinnati Reds' disappointing 2026 season saw most of their young prospects struggle at the plate, with only Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz producing consistently. Players like Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Hector Rodriguez, and Carlos Jorge failed to translate minor league success to the majors, with Marte's chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone jumping from 29% in his 2023 debut to 41% in 2026. Several of these players are expected to play in winter leagues in their home countries this offseason to work on their hitting approach and pitch recognition. Top prospect catcher Alfredo Duno will play in the Venezuelan Winter League for the first time after finishing 2026 in Double-A, as the Reds prepare for the likely departure of Tyler Stephenson to free agency.
Redleg NationMatt McLain's arbitration estimate shouldn't scare the Reds away
Matt McLain is projected to earn $4 million in arbitration for the 2027 season, a $1.7 million raise from his current $2.3 million contract, despite batting .185 with a 67 wRC+ in 2026. The Reds second baseman has struggled over the past two seasons following a shoulder injury that cost him all of 2024, but General Manager Brad Meador indicated the team is working with McLain on his approach at the plate. Rather than non-tendering him, the Reds should retain McLain and let him compete for his job in spring training, as the organization has developed depth at second base with players like Edwin Arroyo, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Spencer Steer available as alternatives.
Blog Red MachineReds' late-season additions make trading Edwin Arroyo even more probable
Edwin Arroyo struggled in his 2026 major league opportunity with the Reds, batting .223 with a .264 slugging percentage across 50 games despite posting a career-best .891 OPS at Triple-A. The Reds' recent acquisitions of Juan Brito and Oswaldo Cabrera, combined with the presence of Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz, have crowded the middle infield and diminished Arroyo's path to regular playing time. With younger prospects like Leo Balcazar rising through the system, the Reds may look to trade Arroyo during the offseason, potentially using his defensive skills and value as a package piece to acquire bullpen help.
Blog Red MachineScathing Reds' report lets Nick Krall off the hook (but can't absolve him completely)
The Athletic reported that Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini and President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall had a tense meeting earlier this season, where Castellini questioned why the team couldn't sustain success like the Milwaukee Brewers. Krall reportedly presented a list of trades he wanted to make to build a young talent base, but Castellini rejected proposals that would have involved trading established players like Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo. While the report suggests Castellini blocked potentially beneficial trades, Krall remains responsible for questionable deals he did complete, including acquiring Ke'Bryan Hayes for prospect Sammy Stafura and trading Luis Castillo for a package that included Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte.
Blog Red MachineJuan Brito's September breakout comes with a catch the Reds can't overlook
Since his September 1 call-up, Juan Brito has posted a .341 batting average with three home runs and a 155 wRC+ over 15 games, positioning himself as a candidate for a 2027 roster spot. However, his performance drops significantly against right-handed pitchers, where he's hitting just .147 with a 22 wRC+, a weakness he'll need to address to secure an everyday role. Brito's versatility across multiple positions, particularly second base, could help him compete with underperforming incumbents Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo. His ability to play multiple positions also provides insurance if Spencer Steer's offseason wrist surgery causes a lengthy recovery.
Blog Red MachineReds' shocking social media nugget makes Nick Krall's future even harder to defend
The Cincinnati Reds have five of baseball's nine worst hitters by wRC+ (a measure of offensive value), and General Manager Nick Krall acquired four of them through trades. The group includes Ke'Bryan Hayes (17 wRC+, the worst in baseball), Noelvi Marte (47 wRC+), Edwin Arroyo (46 wRC+), and Jose Trevino (46 wRC+), while TJ Friedl (43 wRC+) was recently designated for assignment. Hayes and Trevino remain under contract for next season with a combined $12.25 million in salary, making Krall's roster construction decisions difficult to justify.
Blog Red MachineReds release yet another Nick Krall acquisition from the 2022 trade deadline
The Cincinnati Reds released minor-league shortstop Victor Acosta on Tuesday, continuing a pattern of failed acquisitions from the 2022 trade deadline. Acosta, obtained from San Diego in the Brandon Drury deal, never progressed beyond A-Ball despite playing over 400 minor-league games and was hitting .248/.339/.428 this season before his release. Several other prospects from that deadline haul have also departed the organization, including Andrew Moore and Levi Stoudt from the Luis Castillo trade, while remaining pieces like Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte have underperformed at Triple-A. Spencer Steer stands as the lone success from those deadline trades but is currently sidelined with a wrist injury.
Blog Red MachineReds farm system gets the lowest grade in baseball for 2026
Baseball America assigned the Cincinnati Reds farm system a D grade for 2026, the lowest mark given to any team alongside the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. The Reds' prospect pool deteriorated significantly after several players graduated to the majors, including Chase Burns, Sal Stewart, Rhett Lowder, Edwin Arroyo, and Chase Petty, with most struggling at the big league level. Alfredo Duno and Carter Graham stand out as bright spots, but the system lacks depth in pitching and has few proven prospects in Double-A and Triple-A, leaving the organization years away from meaningful contributions to a struggling major league team.
Redleg NationReds' unheralded midseason pickup could be the key to an Edwin Arroyo trade
The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder Juan Brito off waivers from Cleveland in August, and after being called up two weeks ago, he has performed impressively with a .348 batting average, two home runs, and eight RBIs in eight games. Meanwhile, former top prospect Edwin Arroyo has struggled in two separate stints with the team, posting a .244 average in June and a .059 average during a September callup. Brito's strong play could prompt the Reds to trade Arroyo during the offseason, potentially acquiring pitching help for a rotation weakened by Hunter Greene's Tommy John surgery and Brady Singer's pending free agency. The Reds could use Brito as a backup option alongside Matt McLain at second base in 2027.
Blog Red MachineReds' farm system raises a huge red flag for the 2027 season
Cincinnati's farm system ranking dropped from 12th to 23rd between the preseason and August, partly because prospects like Sal Stewart and Edwin Arroyo graduated to the majors. The more significant concern is the system's composition: four of the top 10 prospects are shortstops, and nine of the top 10 are position players, leaving only 19-year-old Aaron Watson as a promising pitching prospect. With Hunter Greene out for all of 2027 following his second Tommy John surgery and Brady Singer becoming a free agent, the Reds lack depth behind ace Chase Burns and will struggle to fill rotation spots beyond their top three starters. Prospects like Rhett Lowder, Chase Petty, and Julian Aguiar carry question marks and are better suited as back-of-the-rotation options rather than reliable No. 4 or 5 starters.
Blog Red MachineCRISIS: Cincinnati Reds Playoff Math ENDS HOPE as Nick Krall’s STRATEGY BACKFIRES
The Cincinnati Reds face playoff elimination with their postseason hopes nearly extinguished, prompting hosts to scrutinize general manager Nick Krall's roster decisions and manager Terry Francona's lineup construction. They argue the team should promote young players like Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo instead of continuing to rely on underperforming veterans, while also questioning the usage patterns of pitchers Andrew Abbott and Chase Burns. The episode concludes with a debate over the future roles of Matt McLain, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and TJ Friedl in Cincinnati's organization.
Locked On RedsReds got Carlos Jorge's position change right and should take note
Carlos Jorge, a 22-year-old rookie outfielder called up this month, made a spectacular leaping catch against the wall during Cincinnati's 14-1 loss to the Dodgers. Originally a second baseman in the Reds farm system, the organization moved him to center field in 2023 while he was at their High-A affiliate, giving him over 250 games and 2,000 innings to develop at the position. The article questions why the Reds didn't apply the same patient, developmental approach to other prospects like Nick Senzel, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, and Sal Stewart, who were rushed into new positions without adequate minor league preparation and subsequently struggled.
Blog Red MachineReds appear determined to make their Ke'Bryan Hayes mistake work
The Cincinnati Reds activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from the injured list before Monday's game against the Dodgers, optioning rookie Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A despite Arroyo's minimal playing time and the team's fading playoff hopes. Hayes, sidelined for 12 days with a groin injury, made two errors in the game that allowed three runs to score. With Hayes batting just .151 on the season and $22 million remaining on his contract, the move suggests the Reds are reluctant to fully abandon the trade they made for him last year, even as fans and observers question the decision.
Blog Red MachineReds just sent a clear message to Edwin Arroyo with latest roster move
The Cincinnati Reds demoted infielder Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville after activating Ke'Bryan Hayes from the injured list. In his recent stint with the team, Arroyo went 1-for-18 with seven strikeouts across six games, extending his season slash line to .223/.266/.264 over 50 games without a home run. Fellow rookie Juan Brito has outperformed Arroyo since his recent debut, going 4-for-14 with two extra-base hits and demonstrating versatility across the infield. At 23 years old, Arroyo will likely need to wait until spring training 2027 to get another opportunity to prove himself at the major league level.
Blog Red MachineReds activate Ke’Bryan Hayes from the IL, option Edwin Arroyo
The Cincinnati Reds activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from the injured list and optioned infielder Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville ahead of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hayes missed 11 days with a left groin strain and returns to the lineup batting ninth, marking his second stint on the injured list this season after a back injury in May. Arroyo struggled during his time with Cincinnati, going 1-for-17 in six games after being recalled from Louisville in late August. Hayes has had a difficult 2026 season, batting .171 with a .289 slugging percentage before his latest injury.
Redleg NationReds need answers on Edwin Arroyo before the season comes to an end
Edwin Arroyo has struggled in his first extended major league opportunity with the Reds, batting .232 with just 33 hits in 49 games after injuries and depth at middle infield previously limited his chances. The 23-year-old's poor performance contrasts sharply with his .309 average at Triple-A Louisville, raising questions about whether he can adjust to the major league level before season's end. Cincinnati has already signed veteran Orlando Arcia to a minor-league deal, signaling the organization may seek outside help if Arroyo doesn't improve. Despite his offensive struggles, Arroyo's strong defense and speed could still make him valuable as a table-setter if he can improve his on-base skills.
Blog Red MachineElly De La Cruz injury explains why Reds signed former Brewers rival
The Cincinnati Reds signed veteran infielder Orlando Arcia to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Louisville, likely as insurance following shortstop Elly De La Cruz's left quad strain. De La Cruz was removed from Sunday's game and suffered a small strain, though he and manager Terry Francona say he can play through it and has since started as the team's DH. Arcia, who spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, most recently played 19 games for the Minnesota Twins this season, batting .271 with a .654 OPS. The Reds already have Matt McLain, Edwin Arroyo, and Juan Brito available to cover infield duties if De La Cruz's injury worsens.
Blog Red MachineREDS POSTCAST: Hector Rodriguez POWERS Cincinnati Reds to Key Victory, Nick Lodolo Delivers on Mound
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Diego Padres behind strong performances from Nick Lodolo on the mound and Hector Rodriguez at the plate, with Rodriguez going 2-for-4 alongside contributions from Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. The hosts discussed the potential of the team's young core, including prospects like Juan Brito and Edwin Arroyo, while examining roster construction needs and whether the Reds can build a contender around their emerging talent.
Locked On RedsREDS POSTCAST: The Cincinnati Reds CRUMBLE As The San Diego Padres POUND 15 Hits and SHUTOUT Offense
The San Diego Padres shut out the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 behind Michael King's strong pitching, limiting Cincinnati to just five hits and 11 strikeouts. Host Tim Daniel examines the Reds' offensive struggles and questions the team's direction, pointing to inconsistent performances from young players like Edwin Arroyo and veterans including Matt McLain and TJ Friedl, while also discussing Brady Singer's rough outing and a potential quad injury to Elly De La Cruz. The episode also previews Cincinnati's next game with Nick Lodolo scheduled to pitch.
Locked On Reds