Cincinnati Reds spring training is officially over. It's time for Opening Day

DAYTON − Reds prospects sent the organization's big-leaguers into the MLB regular season on a slightly sour note.

The Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday closed out spring training with an exhibition game at Day Air Ballpark that pitted a Reds' big league roster against a team of prospects managed by Louisville Bats skipper, Pat Kelly. The team of prospects came back from an early, 4-0 deficit to win, 7-5.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Gavin Lux (2) runs to first base in the first inning of the final spring training game between the Cincinnati Reds and Reds prospects, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton.

Reds prospects show impressive power

The Reds big-leaguers took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, and all the damage was done on home runs.

Jake Fraley fired a solo shot into the right field grass berm. Matt McLain would later club a three-run homer. Both home runs came off Aaron Wilkerson, the prospects' starting pitcher.

The prospects returned fire in the top of the third via two two-run shots. Will Banfield clubbed a ball over 400 feet to the immediate left of the batter's eye. The home run cleared the tallest section of the wall to the right of the "402" marker.

Later in the inning, Will Benson's two-run homer left the park and landed on East 1st Street. Spencer Steer, who reached on a walk, scored on the play.

Steer was added to the prospects' batting order as a designated hitter about an hour before the game, and the prospects used a 10-man batting order.

Reds prospects designated hitter Spencer Steer (7) hits the ball in the first inning of the final spring training game between the Cincinnati Reds and Reds prospects, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton.

Both home runs by the prospects came off of Chase Petty, who exited after the third inning. Petty allowed one hit and three walks in addition to the two long balls

Four innings of big-league starters for the Reds

The Reds big-league team saw its starters go four innings. Offensively, they collected eight hits. The prospects didn't allow another hit until the bottom of the seventh inning.

Of paramount importance was the health of the players, and no injuries were reported after the game.

Noelvi Marte knocks in late go-ahead run

Noelve Marte, who was reassigned to minor league camp midway through spring training after a disappointing 2024, singled in the top of the eighth inning, driving in a run to put the prospects ahead, 6-5.

The run ended up being decisive, likely making the hit a highlight of Marte's stay in the minors so far.

The prospects added an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

Celebrating 25 years of Dayton Dragons baseball

Tuesday's exhibition was billed as the "25th Anniversary Celebration Game," and helped mark 25 seasons of Dragons baseball at Day Air Ballpark.

Fifteen current Reds big-leaguers are alumni of the Dragons, which is a Reds' Single-A affiliate. Also, Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides was the original manager of the Dragons.

Chris Valaika, now the Reds hitting coach, also played in Dayton.

Next up: Opening Day vs. the San Fransisco Giants

It's party time in Cincinnati. Get ready for a long day of celebrating the Reds and the start of baseball season on Thursday. As for the game itself, first pitch at Great American Ball Park between the San Fransisco Giants and Reds is set for 4:10 p.m. The pitching matchup, which was confirmed weeks ago, is scheduled to be Logan Webb for the Giants against Hunter Greene.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona watches batting practice at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds vs. top prospects game in Dayton brings an end to spring training

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