Who Should the Cincinnati Reds Protect in the Rule 5 draft?

The Cincinnati Reds face an important decision in the coming weeks, as multiple minor league players could be exposed to selection in the Rule 5 draft, putting Cincinnati at risk of losing them.

Among them are former first-round pick Cam Collier, infielder Carlos Sanchez, outfielder Jay Allen, outfielder Yerlin Confidan, starting pitcher José Acuña and right-handed pitcher Hunter Parks.

The Reds also have to decide on Carter Graham by Nov. 17. Graham is one player Cincinnati should prioritize keeping in the organization for the long haul.

Graham had a massive 2026, hitting .322/.450/.614 with 17 home runs in 66 games with High-A Dayton, then .277/.388/.514 with 12 home runs in 60 games with Double-A Chattanooga. That’s a .300 average, 29 home runs and a .986 OPS across two minor league levels, a huge season for the offense-focused corner infielder.

The Reds sent Graham to the Arizona Fall League where he hit .371/.500/.571 over a 10-game stretch after starting 0-for-13. He’s now hitting .264 with an .861 OPS.

He was an eighth-round pick in 2023, hitting .205 and .215 in his first two seasons, respectively. He took a small step forward in 2025, hitting .240 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs, but the 2026 explosion was definitely not expected. Graham credited his production to Dayton hitting coach Troy Gingrich, who helped turn him into the Reds’ No. 22 prospect in the October edition of the prospect rankings published by MLB.com.

Graham is absolutely a guy the Reds should add to the 40-man roster to protect him from selection in the Rule 5 draft. The Reds need help at the corner infield positions, and Sal Stewart is the only guy expected to spend the long term at first or third for the Reds.

Eugenio Suárez is a free agent, and Ke’Bryan Hayes has been a train wreck. Graham would likely slot in at either first base or designated hitter, as he played just 25 games at third base last season. That would push Stewart to third base and give the Reds flexibility to add a quality bat.

Other Rule 5 candidates the Reds could keep are former first-round pick Cam Collier, a left-handed-hitting corner infielder; right-handed pitcher Hunter Parks; and 21-year-old infielder Carlos Sanchez.

At 25, I’d expect Graham to make his major league debut with the big league club in 2027, if there is baseball. Cincinnati may have found a diamond in the rough in Graham.