The Reds on Sunday selected shortstop Steele Hall of Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) High School with the ninth pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

That's the kind of speed former Reds second-round pick Billy Hamilton had. Hamilton was one of the most exciting players to reach MLB for Cincinnati in the last quarter-century, but he simply didn't have enough power to stick around. Hall is the idealized version of Hamilton.

Facing Rockies fireball-closer Victor Vodnik in the ninth inning and trailing, 3-2, Cincinnati's Will Benson tripled off the top of the wall in left-center field. He missed walking the Rockies off by inches but at least drove in Spencer Steer to tie the contest at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, July 12.

For nearly two full games, the Reds seemingly had their hands full with the Rockies, despite their opponent owning baseball's worst record. The push to win manager Terry Francona wanted to see going into the All-Star break looked elusive at best.

For Fraley, who previously described his injury as a partially torn labrum, it marks the return of a player who doesn't want to miss what the second half of the season could hold for the Reds. He'll continue to try to improve his ailment during the second half of the season.

The Rockies go on vacation carrying the baggage of a 22-74 record. Colorado’s 74 losses before the All-Star break are the most since 1933, the year of the first All-Star Game. Colorado surpassed the 2024 White Sox, who were 27-71 at the break.

Cincinnati Reds 3B prospect Sal Stewart hit .306 with 10 home runs and a .377 on-base percentage in 80 games for Double-A Chattanooga.

Steele Hall originally committed to Tennessee baseball in the 2026 class, but reclassed to the 2025 class and was picked in the MLB Draft.