Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Mariano is a tall and hard-hitting infielder on the rise. Lean and standing 6-foot-3, he has plenty of room for muscle growth as his body matures and he progresses through the Minor Leagues.

He makes good contact because of his sound approach at the plate and scouts believe he will show even more power potential in the future. Mariano displays an aggressive approach at the plate and routinely sprays the ball in the gaps. Like all prospects his age, he is working on plate discipline and strike-zone recognition. Should he outgrow shortstop, Mariano has the hands and arm strength to transfer to third base. For now, his defensive actions are sound enough to play in the middle of the infield.

He’s an average runner. Scouts praised his makeup and tireless work ethic. Mariano trains in the Dominican Republic with Charlie Nova, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Some teams might have been content with nabbing the No. 5 prospect in the 2024 international class, like the Reds did by signing Adolfo Sanchez for $2.7 million. But Cincinnati was able to go big a second time, nabbing the No. 42 prospect in Mariano for $1.65 million, both of whom they got when the signing period opened in mid-January. It’s the second time in three years the Reds have doled out multiple seven-figure bonuses in one signing period, having done so to bring Ricardo Cabrera and Anthuan Valencia into the fold in 2022.

Mariano is a long and lean 6-foot-3 infielder with lots of room to add strength. He’s already shown good contact skills from the right side of the plate, though like with many young players, improved plate discipline and pitch recognition will help. With his aggressive approach, he’s shown the ability spray the ball in the gaps and the thinking is he’s going to fill out that frame and plenty of power is going to come.

That will be an important part of his development because most feel he isn’t destined to stick at shortstop long-term. He has good hands and plenty of arm for the premium position, but if he matures physically as expected, he’s likely to slow down too much and will need to move to third, where he should be a capable defender.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	02/28/2024	DSL Rojos activated SS Naibel Mariano.
	02/28/2024	SS Naibel Mariano assigned to DSL Reds 2.
	01/15/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed free agent SS Naibel Mariano to a minor league contract.