With the 16th overall pick, the Cincinnati Reds went with Rich Aurilia, a versatile infielder whose best work comes at shortstop. It’s not a flashy pick, but it’s a smart, steady one—something you’d expect from a Reds front office that knows exactly what they need.
Aurilia checks a lot of boxes. He’s got above-average offensive ratings, with contact and avoid Ks standing out as his strengths. He’s not going to burn up the basepaths—speed and baserunning instincts aren’t exactly his forte—but that’s not why Cincinnati drafted him. They drafted him because he can hit, he can field, and he doesn’t make mistakes.
For now, Aurilia is AAA-bound, and that’s exactly where he should be. The Reds have Bret Barberie holding down shortstop, and after his bounce-back 1994 season, there’s no reason to rush Aurilia into the lineup. Barberie looked like a disaster in 1993, but last year, he proved he could handle the job. He’ll likely get another season at short while Aurilia polishes his bat in the minors.
By 1996? That’s when things get interesting. Aurilia will likely be knocking on the door, and if Barberie regresses—or gets shipped out—Aurilia could be the Reds’ everyday shortstop for years to come.
Let’s not forget, this is a team that won 89 games last year and still missed the playoffs. The heartbreak still stings, and Reds fans won’t forget that final series against Boston, where they dropped two of three when they needed every last win. One more game, and they’re in. Instead, St. Louis snuck in with 90 wins, stealing the second Wild Card spot.
That’s why Aurilia starting in AAA makes sense. The Reds aren’t rebuilding—they’re competing. This team is built to win now, and you don’t toss a rookie into the fire when you’ve got a chance to take the division. Let Aurilia get his reps, develop his bat, and be ready when the time comes.
For now, the Reds’ focus is clear: run it back, win those extra games, and make sure they don’t end up on the outside looking in again. If all goes according to plan, Aurilia will be stepping into a winning team when he gets the call.