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Cincinnati Reds news: Anthony Bass signs minor-league deal

By Drew Koch

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 10: Reliever Anthony Bass #63 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning at Safeco Field on September 10, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 5-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 10: Reliever Anthony Bass #63 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning at Safeco Field on September 10, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 5-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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The Cincinnati Reds signed a new pitcher as the calendar flipped to 2019. Anthony Bass, a right-handed reliever, signed a minor-league with the club.

The Cincinnati Reds added another pitcher to their roster, but this time it is not a starter. Anthony Bass, formerly of the Chicago Cubs signed a minor-league deal with the Reds on Monday. Bass is expected to compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Bass, a 31-year-old right-hander from Dearborn, Michigan, has seen is fair share of success at the Major League level. Last season, in 16 games with the Cubbies, Bass threw 15.1 innings of work and struck out 14 batters. He had an ERA of 2.93 and a WHIP of 1.370. His ERA+ was a very solid 149. Unfortunately, last season may have been an anomaly for the former 5th round draft pick.

In Bass’ previous 6 seasons, which included stints with the San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers, he went 5-9 over the course of 131 games including 18 starts. In the 284 innings pitched during that time, Bass had a 4.60 ERA and a 1.408 WHIP. His ERA+ was a less than impressive 82 and he had a FIP of 4.28.

Anthony Bass adds another piece to the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, that was quite honestly the strength of their team in 2018. Seeing as how the team didn’t lose any pieces, and more than likely will see one of last year’s starters end up as a reliever, Bass is going to have to work hard in Spring Training in order to earn a spot on the Reds roster.

Bass is a ground ball pitcher, however, and that appears to be something that the Reds management is intent on bringing to their ball cub in 2019. The Reds are still said to be in on left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel, who’s yet to find a home this offseason.

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Bass provides nice depth for the Cincinnati Reds bullpen and may see some time at the Major League level provided the pieces fall into place. He’s most likely going to have to dominate during the spring to make the club heading into Opening Day, but at the very least Bass can be an insurance policy stashed away at Triple-A Louisville to start the 2019 season.

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