The Reds have bigger holes than one player can patch, but Carter Graham is giving them a very specific kind of hope this fall.
Cincinnati needs help almost everywhere, yet the most obvious offensive trouble spots are outfield and third base. That’s why Graham’s work in the Arizona Fall League matters. The 25-year-old, who turned that age this week, is spending the season away from his usual home at first base and learning how to handle the corners in a much wider sense.
For most of his journey through college and the minors, Graham has lived at first. He has logged more than 1,400 innings there across six seasons.
But that position is already spoken for on the Reds’ roster. Sal Stewart isn’t moving, except perhaps across the diamond, so Graham is in Peoria building a case at third base and in left field instead.
He has not played a single inning at first in the AFL. Instead, the assignment has been clear: show that his bat and athleticism can translate to a corner role elsewhere. Peoria has used him in left and at third, and the early offensive line - 1-for-15 - isn’t the point of the exercise.
The more interesting part is what he has done at the plate this year. Graham’s first few minor league seasons came with a lot of free swinging, too many strikeouts, and not enough walks.
This season looked different. Across High-A and Double-A, he drew walks at a 14.5% clip and posted a .421 on-base percentage.
That improvement has carried into the fall, even with only one hit so far. He has a .333 OBP in the AFL and has scored four runs.
If Graham can convince the Reds he can hold his own at third base or in left field, his path to Cincinnati could open quickly. He is also set to be added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft, which would make a promotion that much easier. Nick Krall has made it clear he wants to strengthen the roster and lean into versatility, and Graham looks like the kind of player who fits that plan.
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