The Cincinnati Reds just made their biggest statement of the 2025 season — and it didn’t come from a trade or a blockbuster free agent. It came through the draft, where they locked in two of the most exciting prospects in the class, signaling that the next great Reds era might already be underway.
Leading the charge is Steele Hall, now dubbed “The Franchise Hope.” The 17-year-old shortstop out of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama was Cincinnati’s first-round pick, 9th overall, and he signed for $5.75 million — a savvy underslot deal that still respects his superstar upside.
But Hall isn’t just another top-10 talent — he’s a phenom. One of the youngest players in the entire draft, Hall graduated early to become eligible for this year’s class. Scouts and insiders believe that had he waited until next year, he could’ve been the No. 1 overall pick. Reds scouting director Joe Katuska didn’t hesitate on draft night, calling Hall “one of the most advanced prep shortstops we’ve seen in years.” At just 17, Hall has the poise, the glove, and the bat speed of a future All-Star — and perhaps even the face of the franchise.
But Cincinnati didn’t stop there.
In the third round, the Reds snagged Mason Morris, a right-hander out of Ole Miss, now earning the nickname “The Sleeper Flame.” While he worked primarily out of the bullpen in college, the Reds see something more — possibly a future rotation piece. Morris signed for $897,500, another underslot deal, giving the Reds even more flexibility as they work through their full 20-player draft class.
Though he came in without the first-round spotlight, Morris brings electric stuff, strong command, and the kind of under-the-radar intensity that could turn him into one of the steals of the draft. Don’t be surprised if he turns heads in the minors and moves fast.
Together, Hall and Morris represent everything Reds fans want to see: youth, upside, and commitment to a long-term winning vision. With both signings coming in below slot value, Cincinnati also sets itself up to aggressively sign the rest of its 2025 class — with the July 28th deadline fast approaching.
This isn’t just a routine draft signing update. This is a strategic coup, the kind of move that front offices dream about and fans rally behind.
Cincinnati didn’t just make picks — they made a statement.
The future is here. And its name is Steele Hall and Mason Morris.
