Cincinnati Reds have loaded set of non-roster pitching options

The Cincinnati Reds brought eleven pitchers into camp as non-roster invitees.

The Cincinnati Reds have had several difficult season on the pitching side.  This year the staff looks more set than it has recently.  The Reds still loaded their non-roster invitees with pitchers that could earn a spot on the staff.

The group was headlined by Jeff Manship.  He has pitched in 157 games with a career ERA of 4.82.  He is a reliever and played overseas in 2017, but didn’t pass his physical.

Joe Mantiply also has the Reds excited.  He is a lefty that came up in the Detroit Tigers organization.  He was a good reliever throughout his ascension, but had a weak debut in 2016.

Kevin Quackenbush is also a big add.  He pitched for San Diego last season.  He has shown the ability to be an MLB set-up man intermittently.

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The Reds also invited former Cleveland Indians’ lefty specialist Kyle Crokett to spring training.  He has pitched 65 ⅓ innings in 107 career big league games.  His career 3.44 ERA is a large part of the reason that the Reds think that Crockett could stick.

The Reds also invited Barrett Astin to camp, after they designated him for assignment.  He was excellent through Double-A in 2016,  but didn’t carry that success to the majors.  He also had issues in Triple-A last season.

The Cincinnati Reds also brought in a pair of starting pitchers this way.

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One of the quietest signings, which could be among the biggest, is that of Dylan Floro.  He is a multi-inning reliever that came up through the minors as a starting pitcher.  His only MLB experience has been with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016.

Floro could make the Reds as a starter or reliever.  He will likely start the season as the long man in Louisville.  That way he will maintain his flexibility for the entire season.

The loudest non-roster signing was that of Vance Worley.  

He is an emergency option if the starting pitchers don’t work out.  He is someone that could make 20 starts averaging six innings each time out.

That may be overly optimistic.  Worley hasn’t made fifteen or more starts since 2014.  Lately, Worley has been a long reliever and a spot starter.

Next: Young relievers battle for one roster spot

Chances are that none of the above will make the team unless one of them has a perfect spring.  Even then, it may take an injury to open up a roster spot.  In any case, the Reds have some talent ready to help out in a pinch.