The Cincinnati Reds will add a minor-league team in the rookie-level Appalachian League that will play its games in Greeneville, Tennessee, according to multiple team sources. The move was first reported by Baseball America but has yet to be announced by the Reds.
The team, which is currently unnamed, will not replace any current Reds minor-league affiliate. Instead, it will slot below Rookie-Advanced Billings and above the Arizona Rookie League on the minor-league ladder. Like Billings in the Pioneer League, the Greeneville team will not play games until after the June draft.
The Houston Astros previously owned and operated an Appalachian League team in Greeneville, but left the league after this past season.