Cincinnati Reds: Three forgotten players fighting for a roster spot

2. Matt Bowman, Right-handed pitcher

Matt Bowman has one minor-league option remaining. Much like Joel Kuhnel, Bowman could find himself staring the 2020 season in Triple-A Louisville. Bowman saw action in 27 games for Cincinnati last season, but unlike Kuhnel, Bowman’s repertoire is more suited for early relief. Bowman’s fastball typically stays in the low-90s, but the right-hander mixes in a cutter for time to time.

Bowman has pitched in four games thus far in spring training. The 28-year-old has given up just one hit in Cactus League action and has an approach that few in the Reds bullpen do. Bowman pitches down in the zone.

Bowman’s ground ball-rate, according to FanGraphs, was 55.1% last season. Those types of results play very well at Great American Ball Park, where keeping the ball in the ballpark is a challenge with the short porch in right field.

Bowman’s HR/9 last season was 0.56 and for his career, the former St. Louis Cardinal has kept that number below .70. With an ERA (3.66) and FIP (3.68) sitting between two points of each other, what you see is what you get with Matt Bowman.

Bowman’s biggest competition in camp is probably Lucas Sims. A former first-round pick, Sims was acquired in a trade with Atlanta Braves in 2018 and is out of minor-league options. Sims has given up five hits and five earned runs so far this spring, so in terms of head-to-head, Bowman is winning the battle.