The Cincinnati Reds have the talent to compete for a playoff spot—and that’s no overstatement. Their foundation is built around Elly De La Cruz, one of the league’s top young stars. While De La Cruz hasn’t hit his stride yet this season, it’s likely just a matter of time. Key players like Gavin Lux, Austin Hays, and Tyler Stephenson are also expected to be major contributors as the season progresses. However, what truly sets this Reds team apart is its pitching staff.
Led by Hunter Greene, who was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league before his injury, Cincinnati’s rotation is among the best. Apart from one rough outing in Baltimore, Greene has been exceptional this year. The bullpen has held up well, although it could benefit from another reliable arm.
Fortunately, the Reds might not need to explore trades to bolster their bullpen. There’s a hard-throwing prospect in their system who fans may have forgotten about—not Zach Maxwell, but Connor Phillips.
Phillips struggled during his stint with the Reds in 2023, dealing with control problems that led to a demotion to Triple-A. Unfortunately, his performance there in 2024 was disastrous, posting an ERA over 8.00, causing many to lose faith in his future.
Coming into this season, it was clear something had to change. That change turned out to be his role. Previously a starter in nearly all of his 90 professional outings, Phillips has now been pitching in relief for the Reds’ High-A affiliate. So far, he’s looked sharp in the bullpen, even hitting 101 mph in a recent appearance.
His shift to the bullpen appears promising. If he continues to command the strike zone and overpower hitters, he could quickly climb back through the minors. While the path to the majors is tough, Phillips has been there before, and a return seems more possible in this new role.
Given the depth of the Reds’ starting rotation—featuring names like Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Chase Petty—Phillips no longer had a clear path as a starter. But the Reds have had success converting pitchers like Lyon Richardson and Graham Ashcraft into effective relievers. Phillips could very well be their next bullpen success story.
