Reds To Call Up Greg Reynolds

September 16, 2011; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Greg Reynolds (37) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. (Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

28 year old pitcher Greg Reynolds will be called up to the Bigs by the Cincinnati Reds to start an upcoming game of a scheduled double header in San Francisco against the Giants. Johnny Cueto has been out of commission for a while now and the Reds have been looking for something to give them an extra push for the second half of the season and they believe the minor league Louisville Bats pitcher Greg Reynolds is the man for the job. Everyone has seen this coming for a while now. Fox Sports Ohio even did a pre-game piece with Reynolds in which he discussed the possible opportunity to be in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

This will be Reynolds’ second chance in the big leagues after failing to meet expectations with the Colorado Rockies in two seasons. He was the second overall 2006 draft pick out of Stanford University. Reynolds’ career includes 94 innings with a 7.47 ERA. As the guys chosen during the 2006 draft progressed through their careers, it quickly became clear that those who were the early picks would have long, difficult careers while others who were chosen later in the draft, such as Tim Lincecum, went on to become team aces.

I have to believe that Reynolds will be more successful the second time around. He has had plenty of practice with the Reds’ minor league organization and has now been called on to be a starter. He recognizes and realizes this is his chance to finally prove himself to the fans as well as the organization. After losing his first chance with the Colorado Rockies, Reynolds will (hopefully) have worked harder to hone his skills in Louisville so that he would be ready for this type of situation.

The only thing that worries me is team chemistry, particularly with Reynolds and Devin Mesoraco. I have no doubt that Mesoraco will command a great game as he has proven to do in the past while Ryan Hannigan has been out of commission. What I do doubt is the precision, command and patience (or lack of) that Reynolds will show on the mound. But I do find some comfort and faith in the Reds’ pitching coach Brian Price. I’m sure he will know exactly how to get Greg Reynolds through the situation and hopefully Mes can lead him to a win.

If Reynolds can prove himself in this short stint with Cincinnati, I believe Dusty Baker will be calling on him a lot more often and he may even become a permanent part of the pitching rotation, alongside Homer Bailey, Mat Latos and Mike Leake. I also take comfort in the Giants not having a great season. The last time my boys in red took the field against San Francisco, Bailey threw a no-no. It was a thing of beauty. I’m hoping Reynolds can hold his own out there with a little help from his teammates.