Eli Pitts

A premium athlete with some of the best speed in the Cincinnati Reds’ system, Eli Pitts has quickly emerged as one of the more intriguing upside plays from the organization’s 2025 draft class. The Atlanta, Georgia native was selected out of North Atlanta High School in the fifth round with the 145th overall pick after a hamstring injury limited him during his senior season and likely contributed to him lasting until the middle rounds. Pitts signed rather than honoring his commitment to South Florida and made his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2026. After another brief hamstring-related absence early in the spring, he responded with an impressive debut season, hitting .299 with a .370 on-base percentage and an .870 OPS across 144 at-bats. Pitts’ athleticism is the driving force behind his prospect profile. The 6-foot-1 right-handed hitter has received 70 grades for his speed when healthy, giving him the range and explosiveness needed to project as a long-term center fielder. His quickness also creates significant upside on the bases, although his recurring hamstring issues have prevented him from fully showcasing that tool to this point. Pitts pairs that speed with a strong, athletic frame and enough arm strength for the middle of the outfield. At the plate, he showed more impact than might have been expected from a player initially known primarily for his athleticism, collecting three home runs and consistently producing extra-base damage during his first professional season. The biggest developmental question for Pitts centers on how consistently his offensive tools will play against more advanced pitching. His strikeout rate remained elevated during stretches of his debut, but there were encouraging signs underneath the surface, particularly an improved swinging-strike rate as the season progressed and a willingness to work deep counts and draw walks. His combination of bat speed, physical projection, and improving approach gives him more offensive upside than a traditional speed-first center fielder, though he will need to prove his contact gains can hold as he moves beyond the complex leagues. If Pitts can stay healthy and continue refining his pitch recognition, his speed and defensive ability give him a strong floor, while further development with the bat could turn him into an everyday center fielder with impact potential on both sides of the ball.