RN Take · Opinion · Original
Carter Graham Went From Off the Radar to the Reds' Best Bat on the Farm
Reds fans looking for offseason good news, here's a name to learn: Carter Graham.
Our Take: An eighth-round pick who fixed his approach and led the whole system in power is exactly the kind of internal answer this lineup needs. Cincinnati should make sure he doesn't slip away this winter.
Per MLB.com's Jesse Borek, Graham ran a .228 average and .669 OPS through his first 779 minor league plate appearances. Back at High-A Dayton in 2026 with hitting coach Troy Gingrich, he hit .322/.450/.614 over 66 games and won Midwest League Player of the Month in June, then homered in his Double-A Chattanooga debut on June 30. He finished leading the Reds' farm system in homers (29), RBIs (93), extra-base hits (61) and total bases (256), and MLB Pipeline named him the organization's offensive prospect of the year. "This year, Troy really taught me an approach," Graham said. "He changed my career for sure."
He's now the Reds' No. 22 prospect, playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, and he's been working at third base and left field after making most of his starts at first. MLB.com notes he'll be Rule 5 Draft-eligible this offseason.
What to watch: his Fall League bat at third and left, and whether the Reds protect him on the 40-man roster.