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CINCINNATI -- Player development is the name of the game in the Minor Leagues, and despite three of the four affiliates having losing records, several players in the Reds’ system have had superlative first halves of their 2025 seasons.
As most of the clubs embark on their second halves, here's a look at the most valuable players for each of Cincinnati's full-season affiliates.
Overall MVP: RHP Chase Burns
Considering Burns, the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, zoomed through three levels in his first pro season and reached the Major Leagues on Tuesday, how could it be anybody else?
Ranked by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati's No. 1 prospect and No. 11 overall, the 22-year-old Burns made three starts with High-A Dayton, followed by eight starts with Double-A Chattanooga and, finally, two starts with Triple-A Louisville. Overall, the right-hander had a 1.77 ERA with 12.14 strikeouts per nine innings in his 13 starts.
On Tuesday, Burns had an electric big league debut while striking out the first five batters he faced on his way to a five-inning no-decision vs. the Yankees.
Triple-A Louisville: OF Rece Hinds
Currently in the big leagues for a second stint this season, Hinds was batting .298 with a .921 OPS, 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in 57 games for the Bats. During his most recent time with Louisville, he slashed .321/.396/.550 in 24 games from May 24-June 21.
Hinds, a big right-handed hitter who made his Major League debut last season and wowed with five homers in his first six games, is still trying to find consistency in the big leagues so he can stay for good.
Double-A Chattanooga: 3B Sal Stewart
Stewart had a 10-game hitting streak and overall was batting .324/.389/.488 with eight homers and 41 RBIs in 69 games entering Sunday. That included his hitting a three-run home run on Thursday in a loss at Pensacola.
Stewart, who is ranked third in the organization and No. 63 overall by MLB Pipeline, was the 32nd overall selection in the 2022 Draft. He is only 21 but has already demonstrated an advanced approach at the plate that definitely impressed during his time in big league camp at Spring Training.
Mention should also go to the organization's No. 11 prospect, outfielder Héctor Rodríguez, who is also having a strong campaign while batting .310 with an .877 OPS and 10 homers in 68 games entering Sunday. Both Stewart and Rodríguez are big reasons that the Lookouts won their division in the Southern League's first half with a 38-28 record.
High-A Dayton: SS/2B Leo Balcazar
It was a rough first half for the Dragons, who finished it with a 21-44 record. Among the group, Balcazar has put together a solid season to this point.
Balcazar, a 21-year-old who is ranked No. 25 in the organization, was batting .271/.350/.409 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 67 games entering Sunday. He's also got a decent walk-to-strikeout ratio (29 to 43).
Single-A Daytona: SS Sammy Stafura
Ranked No. 8 in the organization and the second-round pick by the Reds in the 2023 Draft, the 20-year-old Stafura has caught the attention of scouts from both inside and outside of the organization who believe he can be an impact player. His speed is impressive and so are his fielding skills.
But Stafura also has done very well at the plate, slashing .272/.390/.428 with four homers, 37 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 68 games entering Sunday. Because he grew up in the New York area and didn't play year-round as a high schooler, the Reds feel there is still plenty of growth potential still for Stafura.