1 long shot prospect who could surprisingly sneak onto Reds' 2025 Opening Day roster

The Cincinnati Reds have a great chance to turn into a contender in 2025. With solid additions to both the starting rotation and coaching staff, Reds fans have to be excited about where their team stands ahead of Opening Day this March.

As always, rosters can be better, but Cincinnati might not have to look too far to further cement their pitching depth at the big league level. Before the season begins, Chase Petty, the Reds' No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, could surprise everyone and earn himself a spot on Cincinnati's Opening Day roster.

Petty pitched in just one inning during spring training in 2024, but don't be shocked if he toes the rubber a few more times when the Reds arrive in Goodyear later this year. Petty has been working his way back to throwing even harder, but he's learned how to incorporate a sinker, changeup, slider, and cutter effectively during this process.

Pitching prospect Chase Petty could join the 2025 Reds Opening Day roster

Petty spent most of the 2024 season with Double-A Chattanooga, striking out 123 batters in 127 innings. He finished the year tied for the second-most strikeouts in the Southern League and was one of three arms to produce 10 wins. Petty was eventually promoted to Triple-A Louisville and made two strong starts to close the year on a high note. In 10 Triple-A innings, he surrendered just two runs and struck out seven hitters.

Petty will be 22 years old in early April, the same age as Rhett Lowder when he made his MLB debut. Lowder was promoted to the majors rather quickly, so perhaps Petty could follow the same path. With both Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar out of commission next season there's an outside chance that Petty could break camp with the big league club.

If Petty impresses this spring, there may be a spot for him on the roster after all. If not, Reds fans can expect him to be in Cincinnati at some point in 2025.

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