The Reds farm system is rated well around professional baseball and saw both positives and negatives in 2018.



The worst of it was the organization’s top two prospects, Nick Senzel and Hunter Greene, both going down with injuries. Greene’s status for the 2019 season remains uncertain as he attempts to rehab and get treatment for a torn UCL in his right elbow. Senzel battled vertigo, was shut down for a finger injury and now will miss time with elbow surgery.



Not all was unfortunate, though. Several prospects jumped onto the radar and others stepped up their production and performance.



One prospect stood out among position players for the improvements he made. It might seem strange to suggest that outfielder Mariel Bautista, who hit .320 for the complex-level Arizona League Reds in 2017, was the most improved Reds prospect in 2018. But looking at Bautista’s entire trajectory helps make sense of it.



In spring training of 2017 Bautista,...