Fans of the Cincinnati Reds were met with a sense of déjà vu on Sunday after top prospect Carlos Jorge exited early from the Dayton Dragons game following a highlight-reel catch that came at a steep price.
Jorge, patrolling center field, made a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab in the top of the sixth inning. While the play itself was impressive, the aftermath was concerning. Jorge completed the catch and made a clean throw back to the infield, but he immediately crumpled to the ground in clear pain and was later carted off the field. His spot was filled by rising talent Yerlin Confidan.
Jorge ranks among the top 25 prospects in the Reds’ system, according to MLB Pipeline. Originally developed as a second baseman, Jorge made a gradual shift to the outfield starting in 2023. Though he still split time between the two positions that year, by last season he had largely transitioned to the grass, logging most of his starts across all three outfield positions.
The unfortunate scene evoked memories of another highly regarded Reds prospect whose career was defined in part by a difficult position switch — Nick Senzel. A former No. 2 overall draft pick, Senzel also came up as an infielder before the Reds moved him to center field ahead of the 2019 season due to a crowded infield.
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While Senzel had the athleticism to handle the move, his time in the outfield was riddled with injuries — from a torn labrum to a fractured toe — that derailed what once looked like a promising MLB career. Ultimately, the Reds moved Senzel back to the infield, but the constant injuries and inconsistency left him without a long-term role. He was released after the 2023 season and has since bounced between teams, most recently playing in the Mexican League.
The parallels between Jorge and Senzel are unsettling for many Reds fans, reigniting conversations about the organization’s tendency to convert infielders rather than develop true outfield talent. With the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft, many hope the Reds will prioritize a natural outfielder to help balance their minor league depth chart.
For now, fans and the Reds organization will anxiously await updates on Jorge’s condition, hoping that the injury is minor and doesn’t hinder the development of one of their more versatile young players.
