Cincinnati Reds 2020 MLB Draft: Pitcher Christian Roa taken in Round 2

Christian Roa adds a solid right-hander presence to the Reds farm system.

After landing high school outfielder Austin Hendrick in Round 1 of the 2020 MLB Draft on Wednesday night, the Cincinnati Reds added a pitcher in Round 2. Christian Roa was Cincinnati’s second-round pick on Thursday evening. Playing second fiddle to Asa Lacy at Texas A&M, Roa has the potential to be a sneaky good pick on Day 2.

According to MLB.com, Roa ranks as the 89th-best prospect among those eligible to be drafted this year. Roa’s fastball sits in the low-90s and pounds the strike zone repeatedly. Roa possesses a curveball, slider and changeup, though scouts debate which pitch is the right-handers best secondary offering.

Roa began his career with the Aggies in 2018 out of the bullpen. In 14 appearances, including one start, went 14.2 innings and struck out 12 batters. During his sophomore campaign, Roa started 10 games and made 17 appearances while striking out 46 batters and issuing just 11 free passes.

Roa made only four starts in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but held opposing batters in check. The 21-year-old struck out 35 batters in 20.0 innings of work. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220-pounds, the Texas native has the size that team’s are looking for in a starting pitcher.

Roa became the third member of the Texas A&M baseball program to be drafted thus far in 2020. Fellow starter Asa Lacy was taken by the Kansas City Royals with the 4th overall pick (the highest ever in school history) and Zach DeLoach was taken just a few picks before Roa when the Seattle Mariners took the outfielder in Round 2.

Roa’s junior season may not have produced the numbers that Reds Country will be enamored with (2-1, 5.85 ERA), but he only started four games. The four-pitch repertoire that Christian Roa possesses has to have the Cincinnati front office excited.

The Reds will get a Competitive Balance B draft pick before Round 3 begins, but Cincinnati has already had a successful draft with the addition of Hendrick and now Roa. Adding more pitching depth and perhaps a catching prospect would bode well for the Reds going forward.