Cody Reed could make his major league debut for the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. That day is his turn to start for the Reds’ Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats. It is also a date for which the Reds have yet to select a starter.
The Reds used two possible starters — Josh Smith and Alfredo Simon — for Saturday’s upcoming game last night in an extra-inning loss. Those two were the only two pitchers on the active roster who could have made Saturday’s start.
That leaves the Reds with some intriguing options. The most intriguing of those options is Reed.
The Reds would have to clear a 40-man roster spot to add the 23-year-old Reed, but his addition to the Reds’ roster and the start of his options clock is just a matter of time. The lefty power pitcher has produced a 3.20 ERA in 11 Triple-A starts covering 64.2 innings with 63 strikeouts and a 1.175 WHIP.
The Reds are probably better off in the long run in terms of service time of not promoting Reed until September call-ups, but the temptation to throw Reed into the big league fire now may prove too great.
Reed is one of the three left-handed starting pitchers the Reds acquired last year in the Johnny Cueto trade. The other two — Brandon Finnegan and John Lamb — are already in the Reds’ rotation.
If the Reds opt not to promote Reed and force a player off the 40-man roster, the team could promote Triple-A pitchers currently on the 40-man roster in Robert Stephenson, Keyvius Sampson or Daniel Wright.
Stephenson made his last start at Triple-A on June 11 and Sampson on June 12. Sampson is more likely to get the nod over Stephenson, Reed or Wright. He made his last start on June 12 and currently sports a 1.83 ERA in 44.1 innings at Triple-A that includes seven starts.
Another starting pitcher at Triple-A — Jon Moscot — started last night and wouldn’t be able to pitch Saturday.
The Reds also have three starting pitchers at Double-A who are currently on the 40-man roster. All three — Amir Garrett, Rookie Davis and Sal Romano— would be able to pitch Saturday if they don’t start between now and then.
But the Reds might still want to see one of the biggest parts of the team’s future now by promoting Reed instead.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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