On the final day of the 2023 Cactus League season, it’s only natural to be getting irrationally excited about the upcoming baseball season. Even for Cincinnati Reds fans who have endured countless disappointing eras over the last generation should have reason for optimism, their farm system once again burgeoning with talent after the most recent firesales and rebuilding.
Just about the only way to throw a wet blanket onto that timeline is with injury news. On Sunday, we got a big, fat wet blanket.
Per Charlie Goldsmith of The Enquirer, both Elly De La Cruz - the consensus top prospect in the Reds system - and Christian Encarnacion-Strand - the breakout phenom of spring camp - will miss the start of the AAA Louisville season due to their respective injuries.