The Cincinnati Reds are quietly building something special, and it’s starting to take shape far from the lights of Great American Ball Park. Over the past few years, the Reds have been making serious inroads in Latin America, and with the latest international signing period underway, they’ve added another intriguing piece to their growing puzzle: Angel Nunez Jr., a dynamic outfielder from the Dominican Republic, who inked a $3 million deal.
For a franchise that doesn’t always have the deepest pockets, this kind of international success isn’t just a bonus-it’s a lifeline. And it all traces back to a name Reds fans now know well: Elly De La Cruz.
When Cincinnati signed De La Cruz in 2018 for just $65,000, he wasn’t on anyone’s top prospect lists. Now, he’s knocking on the door of superstardom, a reminder of how far the Reds’ international scouting has come-and how much potential still lies ahead.
Back then, the Reds were operating on the margins, often shut out of bidding wars for the top international names. They had to rely on sharp eyes, deep scouting, and a little bit of faith.
But times are changing. Not only is Cincinnati still finding hidden gems, but now they’re also landing the kind of high-end talent that used to go elsewhere.
Take Alfredo Duno, for example. The Venezuelan catcher was a major get when he signed for a then-record $3.1 million.
Now, he’s showing exactly why the Reds were willing to invest. After finally getting healthy, Duno torched Single-A pitching in Daytona, putting up a .287/.430/.518 slash line with 18 homers-and more walks than strikeouts.
That kind of plate discipline at age 19 is rare. And while his bat was always the calling card, he’s starting to show that he might just stick behind the plate too, which would make his upside even more tantalizing.
Duno’s rise is more than just a win for player development-it’s a signal to the next wave of talent that Cincinnati is a destination worth considering. That brings us back to Angel Nunez Jr., the Reds’ latest splash in the international waters.
Nunez Jr. comes in as one of the most highly touted players in this year’s international class, ranked No. 6 overall by MLB Pipeline. His skillset jumps off the page: elite speed, a quick and compact swing, and surprising pop for a player listed at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.
He doesn’t just chase tools-he’s got the approach to match. At the 2024 U15 World Cup, he drew six walks to just three strikeouts, showing a mature eye and an ability to control the zone that’s rare for a player who won’t turn 17 until April.
Once the Dominican Summer League gets rolling, Nunez Jr. will be one of the names to watch. But even more than what he does on the field, his signing represents something bigger: a shift in how the Reds are perceived on the international stage. They’re no longer just the team that finds the overlooked guys-they’re now a team that can land the top-tier talent too.
That’s a big deal. Because when you pair smart scouting with a growing reputation in Latin America, you start to build a sustainable pipeline of talent. And for a team like the Reds, that’s how you turn potential into long-term success.
So while Nunez Jr. is still years away from the big leagues, his signing is another sign that the Reds are doing something right-and that the future in Cincinnati might just be arriving a little sooner than expected.