Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Promoted As Dayton Dragons Roster Is Revealed

CINCINNATI – The Dayton Dragons have released their Opening Day roster for the 2026 season. Alfredo Duno is among several key prospects making their High-A debuts this season.

Alfredo Duno

The 2025 Florida State League MVP makes his High-A debut after dominating every aspect of the game last season. He led the league in eight offensive categories last season and was also named the league's best prospect. He was also named as a participant for the Arizona Fall League last season. While his numbers didn't jump off the page, he impressed with a three-home-run game in the semifinal matchup and led the team to the finale.

"I'm learning to play baseball." Duno said. "I know there's a lot of good pitchers in the Fall League, so my goal is: I'm going to keep competing every day, and that's it. I think I've faced more advanced pitchers, but I've also been catching them and I feel like I've learned both sides of the game. I'm improving on both sides of the game."

Duno joins Ryan McCrystal as the two catchers for the Dayton Dragons. McCrystal also plays some first base and can play with Duno on occasion. McCrystal was selected in the ninth round of the 2024 MLB draft out of ECU. He made his High-A debut last season near the end of the year.

Kien Vu

Vu only played in 23 games at the Single-A level last year after being drafted that summer. He got off to a rough start, going 0-10 with six strikeouts. The very next week, he won Player of the Week in the Florida State League.

"I don't think I've been at a lower place recently when it came to baseball," Vu said. "Going through that was tough."

In 77 at-bats, the 22-year-old slashed .273/.371/.532 with four home runs, 18 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. The Reds love his defense and see him as a key outfield prospect going forward.

We like that bat and we like the athlete," Reds director of Amateur Scouting Joe Katuska told the Enquirer's Pat Brennan. "We think he can play all outfield spots."

JP Ortiz

Jean-Pierre Ortiz, or J.P., pitched all of last season in Daytona and was impressive. The 22-year-old was 7-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 26 games and had a batting average against him of .228 with 83 strikeouts and 33 walks. He throws three pitches. His fastball tops out at 96 miles per hour, averages 93 with arm-side run. His changeup is nearly 10 miles per hour slower, averaging 86 miles per hour, and he also throws a slider.

According to MLB Pipeline, it looks as if the Reds are viewing Ortiz as a starting pitcher going forward in his development. Scouts like the ease of his motion and his confidence. His performance during the 2025 season saw him earn a spot on the Reds' Top-30 Prospect rankings

The Dragons begin their season on Thursday on the road versus the Lansing Lugnuts. You can see the full roster here.