The Cincinnati Reds have acquired right-handed hitting outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for $1,500,000 in 2025 international bonus pool space, as reported by Mark Sheldon of Reds.com. This deal aligns with the Dodgers’ need to maximize their bonus pool after signing Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki.
Lantigua, a 19-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic, signed with the Dodgers in January 2023. Though he struggled in his debut season, hitting .222 over 29 games, his power potential stood out with a .475 slugging percentage in a league where the average was .356. His 2024 season in the Dominican Summer League showed significant improvement, as he hit .301/.430/.575 with 11 home runs, tying for second in the league. He also demonstrated strong plate discipline, drawing 33 walks against 34 strikeouts in 49 games.
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While Lantigua has yet to play in the United States, his performance and scouting profile suggest he has the potential to be a quality prospect. The Reds were able to acquire him without sending any actual money, instead trading a portion of their unused bonus pool allocation, making this a low-risk move with upside.
For Cincinnati, this trade represents a savvy use of resources to bolster their farm system with a promising young player. Although Lantigua is still a long way from the majors, his power and production in the DSL make him an intriguing addition to the Reds’ pipeline.
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