The Cincinnati Reds have been identified as having the best young core in Major League Baseball, despite current struggles. This assessment is based on four key reasons highlighting their future potential.
Key points
Cincinnati Reds identified as having best young core in MLB
The Cincinnati Reds are going through some major struggles right now, dropping to seven games back of the Chicago Cubs atop the NL Central amid an eight-game losing streak.
However, while things might not be going great right now, there is a lot to like about this team looking into the future beyond just the 2026 season.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller made the case that the Reds have the best young core in Major League Baseball. It's a reasonable claim, as there are four reasons why this young core is the best in MLB.
For starters, the Reds have one of the best shortstops in baseball right now in Elly De La Cruz, as he's been an elite player for years now, and this season, he might be better than ever.
De La Cruz has 10 homers this season with 42 hits, 27 runs scored, 28 RBIs, and an .857 OPS with a .271 batting average to go along with eight stolen bases this season.
Q&A
What are the reasons the Reds have the best young core in MLB?
The article outlines four key reasons that support the claim of the Reds having the best young core in Major League Baseball.
How far behind are the Reds in the NL Central standings?
The Cincinnati Reds are currently seven games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central standings.
Who made the claim about the Reds' young core being the best?
Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report made the claim that the Reds have the best young core in Major League Baseball.
What is the Reds' current losing streak?
The Cincinnati Reds are experiencing an eight-game losing streak.
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There are plenty of great young shortstops in baseball, but De La Cruz, at just 24 years old, is one of the better power hitters in the sport with elite speed capable of league-leading stolen base seasons.
While De La Cruz might be the well-known face dominating for the Reds, Stewart is a new entrant into the elite young core in Cincinnati.
He's just 22 years old, and he's been great this season. He has 10 homers just like De La Cruz, but he has a .245 average with 30 RBIs, 36 total hits, 22 runs scored, six doubles, and an .821 OPS. He was incredibly hot to begin the year, but has cooled off a bit.
Stewart has been incredibly impressive so far in his young career and is a very big piece of the future of the Reds organization.
The Reds' MLB-best young core doesn't just revolve around their offense, as Chase Burns, a 23-year-old ace, has been an incredible player this year.
He has a 2.20 ERA with 46 strikeouts and a 3-1 record in seven starts for the Reds in 2026. After a shaky 2025, with a 4.57 ERA in 13 outings, Burns has really turned into an ace-level pitcher this season.
The other noteworthy young player for the Reds right now is Rhett Lowder, a 24-year-old righty starter who, while his 5.40 ERA in eight starts leaves a bit to be desired, has shown flashes of brilliance this season.
He posted a 1.17 ERA in six starts back in 2024 during his initial MLB debut. While he's struggled a bit this year in comparison, there's still a lot to like about his game.
Reds have MLB's best young core
Between Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Chase Burns, and Rhett Lowder, the 25-and-under MLB-players for the Reds make up the best young core in baseball, according to Miller.
It's not a far-fetched take either, as a pair of elite hitters like De La Cruz and Stewart and pitchers with ace-level potential in Burns and Lowder is about as good as it can get.
There are plenty of questions for this Reds organization and roster, but none of those questions should be directed at their young core under 25 years old, which has a strong case as being the best in baseball.
