This was not a playoff team in October. Or a contender in September. This was the bad-bullpen, meh-lineup Nationals playing for nothing in July.

The Cincinnati Reds came out of the All-Star break, won two games and were just 1 1/2 games behind the final wild-card position

The Cincinnati Reds picked Steele Hall out of Hewitt-Trussville High School (AL) with their first selection in this week’s MLB Draft, and followed that up with an additional 19 picks in their overall draft class.

MLB Pipeline writers Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo gave their favorite picks from the 2025 MLB Draft for each team. For the Cincinnati Reds, it was Oregon outfielder Mason Neville who they took in the fourth round.

And just like that: Garrett Crochet equals Tarik Skubal in ERA (2.19) and has one more strikeout (165). After All-Star hubbub, Cal Raleigh has a quiet weekend, with two singles in 13 at-bats. New owner looks like a far surer bet than new stadium. They finally hit – 27 knocks in three games – yet are still swept at Toronto.

"There's so much less certainty of the grouping near the top," said Reds director of amateur scouting, Joe Katuska said.

The second half of the Reds' season starts on Friday against the New York Mets. Cincinnati currently sits at 50-47 and 2 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot. If they are going to contend in the second half, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon thinks Hunter Greene will have to be a key part.

The Oregon Ducks center fielder was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round with the No. 114 overall pick of the MLB draft on Monday. The pick has a slotted value of $667,700, according to MLB.com.

Cincinnati Reds rookie Chase Burns became the first pitcher in franchise history with at least 10 strikeouts in two of his first 5 MLB appearances.