The Cincinnati Reds are calling up right-handed pitcher Luis Mey from Triple-A, as reported by Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital in the Dominican Republic. The move to clear a spot on the 26-man roster is still unconfirmed.
Mey, ranked as the Reds’ 24th-best prospect, is renowned for his exceptional velocity. He has hit over 103 MPH multiple times in his minor league career, including a recent strikeout with a 103.2 MPH sinker in Triple-A Louisville. Mey was prominently featured on Baseball America’s list of minor league pitchers who reached 100 MPH in 2024, and he distinguished himself by throwing a sinker, unlike others on the list who relied on a four-seam fastball. Mey’s sinker velocity was unmatched in the minor leagues, with the closest pitcher trailing him by nearly 2 MPH.
Beyond his speed, Mey excels at inducing ground balls. He hasn’t allowed a home run since July 26, 2023, and has pitched 77.2 innings across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, both in regular season and winter league games. His fastball, peaking at 103.2 MPH, and a slider in the mid-to-upper 80s, are standout pitches that rate as above-average or better — qualities that make him stand out as a potential elite reliever.
However, Mey’s biggest challenge has been his control. Throughout his career, he has struggled with walks. In 2024, his walk rate was 17.6%, and in 2023, it reached 20.8%. This season, he has walked 16.7% of the batters he has faced. Comparatively, the average MLB walk rate in 2024 was 8.2%. Mey’s inconsistency with strikes has been a notable concern, as he can go through stretches of excellent pitching but also have outings where he can’t locate the strike zone.
Despite the control issues, Mey’s performance has been solid. He has a 3.52 ERA over the last two seasons across stops in Dayton, Chattanooga, and Louisville, allowing few extra-base hits. In 2024, opponents slugged just .228 against him, with only six doubles allowed in 244 plate appearances. However, his ability to succeed in the majors will depend on his ability to improve his control. While his stuff is elite, big league hitters will capitalize on mistakes if he doesn’t become more consistent with his command.
