Three Games In: Which Prospects Are Getting a Real Look in Big League Camp?

Three games into spring training rarely settle anything definitively, but they do begin to outline organizational intent. Playing time isn’t distributed evenly in February. Who starts, who enters in leverage spots, and who continues to see steady at-bats across multiple games often says more about a player’s standing than the box score itself. Early camp usage can quietly reveal which prospects are being evaluated as immediate depth and which are still firmly in developmental mode.

Through the first handful of games, a small group of Reds prospects has received meaningful exposure — not just appearances, but real opportunities in competitive situations. That early run doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, but it does hint at who may be closest to impacting Cincinnati in 2026. Edwin Arroyo, Sal Stewart, Rhett Lowder, and Jose Franco have each received usage that suggests varying levels of near-term consideration, and the context of those opportunities matters.

Edwin Arroyo’s Early Role in Big League Camp

Edwin Arroyo opened camp with one of the clearest early signals a prospect can receive: a start at shortstop in Game 1. Spring lineups are rarely accidental, particularly at premium defensive positions. Getting the first look at short immediately places Arroyo in the conversation as legitimate upper-level depth rather than simply a developmental invite. Since that opening assignment, he has logged two at-bats in each of the first three games while continuing to rotate in defensively at shortstop — steady usage that reflects intentional evaluation rather than sporadic exposure.

The offensive results, while not the primary focus this early, have only reinforced that opportunity. Arroyo doubled in the opener and delivered a game-tying hit in the bottom of the ninth in Game 3, a moment that, while occurring in a spring environment, still speaks to situational trust. More importantly, he is not being buried in late-game innings exclusively reserved for organizational depth. The consistent at-bat allotment and continued defensive reps suggest the club wants extended looks at his readiness against higher-level competition.

Taken together, the early deployment pattern points toward a realistic 2026 pathway. Arroyo is unlikely to break camp on the Opening Day roster, largely because everyday reps remain critical to his development and are more readily available in Triple-A. However, his usage indicates he may already sit near the top of the internal list for middle infield reinforcement. If the Reds require a backup shortstop or multi-position middle infield option at any point this season, Arroyo’s early camp role suggests he could be among the first names considered for that call.

Sal Stewart: Defensive Versatility and a Path to At-Bats

Sal Stewart opened his spring with a start at second base in Game 1, an assignment that carries weight for a player more commonly projected long term at first base. Spring defensive alignments are rarely random, particularly in the opening games, and giving Stewart early innings at second suggests the organization is exploring ways to expand his positional value. If his bat is going to factor into the big league picture this season, versatility may be the mechanism that gets it there.

He’s also already been involved in two notable moments. Stewart won the Reds’ first ABS challenge of the spring when a called strike was overturned to a ball, drawing a visible reaction from the dugout and underscoring his awareness within the new review system. In Game 3, he came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth that helped spark a rally win. The results themselves are secondary, but the situations matter — competitive late-game at-bats are typically reserved for players the staff wants evaluated in leverage contexts.

The broader implication is strategic. If Stewart can log credible innings at second base, it creates a pathway for him to remain in the lineup even when the regular infield alignment is intact. Rather than waiting strictly on a first base opening, he could factor into a rotational infield plan that keeps his offensive profile active over a full season. Three games don’t confirm that trajectory, but his early deployment suggests the Reds are at least testing whether that versatility can translate into meaningful major league opportunity this year.

Rhett Lowder Remains a Rotation Factor

Rhett Lowder was the second arm to enter Game 1 behind Chase Burns, a placement that carries more meaning than a typical middle-inning spring appearance. Early pitching order in camp often reflects evaluation priority, and Lowder’s role directly after a projected rotation competitor suggests the Reds are lining up internal comparisons. Rather than being slotted into late-game developmental innings, he was deployed in a context that mirrors how a starter might bridge into competitive frames.

The outing itself included two runs allowed, but the broader takeaway was the return of the polish and strike-throwing ability that have defined his rise through the system. Lowder’s profile has long centered on command, sequencing, and a mature pitch mix rather than overpowering velocity. In his first appearance this spring, those traits flashed even if the results were uneven. For a pitcher coming off an injury-interrupted season that limited his overall workload, simply seeing him back on the mound with his characteristic tempo and feel is a meaningful checkpoint.

Earlier this spring, Reds beat writer Mark Sheldon projected that Rhett Lowder could edge out Chase Burns for the final rotation spot, and industry sentiment suggests he has a legitimate chance to do exactly that. Lowder’s polish, strike-throwing ability, and advanced feel give him a strong foundation in a competition that may ultimately come down to consistency and readiness. While we remain particularly high on Burns’ upside, Lowder’s early deployment and overall profile make it clear he is firmly in the mix. Even in a scenario where he opens the year in Triple-A Louisville, he would project as the sixth starter and the first name called upon if the major league rotation needs reinforcement.

Jose Franco Is Getting Tested Early

Jose Franco drew the start in Game 2, becoming the first prospect arm in this group to open a spring contest. He worked one inning, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out two. As with any February outing, the line itself carries limited weight. The more relevant detail is who those strikeouts came against — established major league hitters rather than late-camp roster hopefuls.

Franco punched out Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor, two hitters with proven big league production. That matters in this context. It marked the first extended look at Franco facing legitimate major league talent, and he showed the ability to compete in the zone rather than simply survive. Even in a short outing, the raw ingredients were evident: velocity in the mid-to-upper 90s and a slider capable of missing bats against advanced hitters.

While Franco has developed as a starter throughout his professional career, his pitch mix naturally invites discussion about role. He leans heavily on a 96–97 mph four-seam fastball and a sharp, effective slider, mixing in a changeup that remains more of a complementary offering. That combination could allow him to continue building as a starter, but it also creates a plausible pathway to impact work out of the bullpen if the organization chooses to accelerate his timeline. Early spring usage suggests the Reds want to see how his power arsenal plays against major league bats — and through one look, it flashed the potential to factor into the 2026 pitching picture in some capacity.