Reds prospect Ruben Ibarra picked up a little extra shine on Monday afternoon, when he was named the Southern League Player of the Week after a monster stretch at the plate.
Ibarra’s numbers did the talking. Over the week, he hit .364/.500/1.136 and launched five home runs, the kind of production that turns heads even if the player isn’t plastered across prospect rankings.
The 27-year-old has put together a strong season in Double-A Chattanooga as well, finishing with a .328/.337/.473 slash line and a career-high 25 home runs. Cincinnati selected Ibarra in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of San Jose State University.
He may not be listed among the organization’s top prospects, but he has built a reputation inside the Reds’ system as one of the best teammates around, which makes the recognition feel especially fitting.
Meanwhile, there was another Reds-related development making the rounds Sunday, when Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the front office is expected to be back for the 2027 season.
Asked about that report on Monday afternoon, Francona didn’t shy away from how much that group means to him.
"Everything," Francona told Mike Petraglia. "I mean, I think I was pretty, pretty honest and open about why when those two guys came to visit with me in (2024).
That's what got me to want to do it again. I value, especially maybe my age now the people, and doesn't mean you don't go through tough times because you do.
But when you do, you want to be with people that you're aligned with and you care about, and like they care about you. And like the things I told you yesterday, that's how I feel."
Francona also said the group is focused on getting better, even if he hates losing like anyone else in that room.
"We commiserate together. One thing I really appreciate is it's not who (screwed) up.
It's how we're going to make it better. That's a good way to go about things."
The Reds open a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night at Great American Ball Park. Nick Lodolo will start for Cincinnati, while Tarik Skubal is set to take the mound for the Dodgers.
In Other News...
Terry Francona Just Raised The Stakes For The Reds Front Office
With one year left on his contract, Terry Francona is already sounding like a manager who expects to be part of the Reds next step, not just this seasons cleanup. He has said he wants to help Cincinnati recover from a disappointing year, and he has publicly backed the front offices ability to improve the roster after a season that has left the club stuck at the bottom of the National League Central.
Nick Kralls view of the organizations future only adds to the significance of Franconas stance, since the expectation is that the front office and coaching staff will stay largely intact for 2027. For a team that has struggled to generate offense and came out of the trade deadline with limited changes, the message is clear: the current group is being asked to prove it can turn things around, and Franconas confidence only raises the pressure to get it right. [Read more 🡒]
Elly De La Cruz Is Getting National Buzz The Reds Can't Ignore
Since Aug. 22, Elly De La Cruz has looked every bit like the kind of player who can carry attention beyond Cincinnati, hitting .419/.468/.767 with 16 extra-base hits, including seven homers. The surge has come at a time when the Reds have little left to play for in the standings, and it has only sharpened the sense that one of the sports most electric talents is doing his best work while the team around him has already been officially knocked out of the postseason race.
National observers are starting to take notice, too. On Monday, MLB Networks Mark DeRosa placed De La Cruz fifth on his list of must-watch position players in the majors, and then De La Cruz backed up the buzz with another statement swing that produced the longest Reds home run since July 9, 2024. For a club sitting at 70-80 and in last place in the National League Central, the broader appeal is obvious, even if the bigger question around De La Cruzs rise is still hanging in the air. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Face A Tough Edwin Arroyo Decision This Offseason
The Reds added Juan Brito off waivers from Cleveland in August, and his brief time on the active roster has already given the front office something to think about. In eight games, Brito has provided strong offense, which matters for a club always trying to find useful depth without giving away too much on the margins. It also adds another layer to a roster picture that will matter more once the offseason questions start piling up.
Edwin Arroyo, once viewed as one of the organizations brighter young talents, has not yet turned his Major League chances into much momentum. That has led to speculation that Cincinnati could at least listen on him if it believes a deal can help shore up pitching, though nothing has been decided. For a team trying to balance upside, roster fit and immediate needs, Arroyo is the kind of name that could end up at the center of some difficult winter conversations. [Read more 🡒]