The Cincinnati Reds are calling up right-handed pitcher Luis Mey from Triple-A, according to Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital in the Dominican Republic. The corresponding move to clear a spot on the 26-man roster has yet to be revealed.
Mey, the Reds’ 24th-ranked prospect, is best known for his impressive velocity. He has exceeded 103 MPH multiple times in his minor league career, including this season with Triple-A Louisville, where he struck out a batter with a 103.2 MPH sinker. When Baseball America compiled a list of minor league pitchers who reached 100 MPH in 2024, Mey was near the top, notable for his sinker, while most other pitchers on the list relied on four-seam fastballs. His sinker velocity was 1.9 MPH higher than the next closest pitcher, making him one of the top performers in this category at the minor league level.
However, Mey’s appeal isn’t just about his velocity; he also generates a high number of groundballs. His last home run allowed was on July 26, 2023, and despite limited appearances after that, he has been healthy in both 2024 and 2025, logging 77.2 innings between the regular season and winter leagues.
Mey’s fastball, which reaches up to 103.2 MPH, and his slider, working in the mid-to-upper 80s, are both considered plus to plus-plus pitches, putting him in the company of elite MLB relievers.
Despite the upside, Mey has one glaring issue: his control. Throughout his minor league career, he has struggled with walks. In 2024, he issued walks to 17.6% of batters he faced, and this year, his walk rate has risen to 16.7%. For comparison, the average walk rate for MLB pitchers in 2024 was 8.2%. His inability to consistently find the strike zone has been a persistent issue, with some games showing progress while others reveal significant control problems.
In 2023 and 2024, despite the walk issues, Mey managed an ERA of 3.52 over 64 innings in stops at Dayton, Chattanooga, and Louisville. This success can be attributed to his ability to limit extra-base hits. Opponents have slugged just .242 against him this season, with only one extra-base hit allowed in 42 plate appearances.
Mey’s challenge in the majors will be improving his control. His stuff is undoubtedly impressive, but MLB hitters will capitalize on walk-heavy performances if he cannot consistently command the strike zone. If he wants to succeed in the big leagues, he’ll need to refine his control and cut down on the free passes.
