The Cincinnati Reds' discounted signing of their top pick frees flexibility to make strong bids on tougher-to-sign picks deep in the draft.

All seven Cincinnati Reds Minor League teams were back in action on Friday. Here is how their top prospects performed: Sal Stewart went 1-4 with a stolen base. Hector Rodriguez went 0-4. Rece Hinds went 2-3 with a walk. Christian Encarnacion-Strand went 0-4.

Cincinnati Reds LHP Andrew Abbott pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning, and Elly De La Cruz went 0-for-2 as the duo soaked in the MLB All-Star Game vibe.

Before we shift our collective attention away from the draft that concluded Monday, July 14, to the MLB All-Star Game, the resumption of the regular season on Friday, July 18, and the future waves of talent to come, let's take stock of what the Cincinnati Reds just added to their organization.

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Suarez's contract is up at the end of the season, so he would truly be a rental. It would be a blast to see Suárez back in red and white, but with the Reds holding just an 11% playoff chance, it’s hard to justify giving up the farm to make it happen. Major League Baseball's trade deadline is on July 31 at 6 p.m. ET.

"There's so much less certainty of the grouping near the top," said Reds director of amateur scouting, Joe Katuska said.

The NL Central is one of two MLB divisions (also AL East) with four winning teams as the 2nd half opens. Are Cincinnati Reds on the rise?