The Cincinnati Reds have signed former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Zach Willeman, who recently impressed during his time in independent league baseball. The Ohio native has plenty of experience in the minors, though it’s still unclear where he’ll be assigned within the Reds’ organization.
Willeman has spent the last two seasons with the Sioux City Explorers, primarily as a reliever. In 2024, he appeared in 41 games out of the bullpen, posting a 3.42 ERA with three saves and 67 strikeouts over 50 innings, though he struggled with control, walking 30 batters.
In 2025, Willeman transitioned into a starting role and showed noticeable improvement in command. Through eight starts this season, he’s struck out 65 batters and walked just 22 in 50 innings—bringing his walk rate down from 5.4 BB/9 to 4.0. That progress likely drew attention from Cincinnati scouts looking to bolster the pitching depth in their system.
A 19th-round selection by the Dodgers in the 2017 MLB Draft, Willeman played college ball at Kent State, where he recorded a 3.86 ERA and 129 strikeouts over three seasons. He progressed through the Dodgers’ farm system before joining the Royals in 2022, where he reached Triple-A but struggled with a 6.27 ERA in 34 games. He also spent time in the Marlins’ organization in 2023 before landing in Sioux City the following year.
Cincinnati has had success with similar reclamation projects in the past. Fernando Cruz, now with the Yankees, is a prime example—going from independent ball to an effective MLB reliever with the Reds. Willeman, now the 39th Sioux City player to join an MLB system since 2006, will look to follow a similar path and reignite his Major League aspirations.
