Cincinnati Reds 2020 MLB Draft: College pitchers dominate Day 2

The Reds added three college pitchers on Day 2 of the 2020 MLB Draft.

You can never enough pitching, right? That at least seemed to be the Cincinnati Reds philosophy on Day 2 of the 2020 MLB Draft. President of baseball operations Dick Williams and general manager Nick Krall did not hesitate to add to their stable of hurlers on Thursday evening. The Reds also added a hit-first catcher and prep outfielder.

Christian Roa came off the board at No. 48. Roa, who played second-fiddle to Asa Lacy at Texas A&M has prototypical size (6-foot-4, 220-pounds) and pounds the strike zone. Roa is a four-pitch hurler who could be a middle-of-the-rotation starter down the road.

When it comes to depth behind the plate, the Cincinnati Reds have little to nothing to speak of their farm system. The Competitive Balance Round B selection of high school backstop Jackson Miller might change that. Miller is a hit-first catcher who’s committed to Wake Forest.

MLB.com rates Miller as the 104th-best prospect in this year’s draft, seeing him as a touch behind other high school catchers like Daniel Susac, Corey Collins and Kevin Parada. Miller. Jackson Miller is hitter first and a catcher second. But don’t think that he lacks the defensive ability to play the position. Most scouts view him as a solid all-around catcher once he develops.

Bryce Bonnin should have Reds Country excited. Whether he develops into a starter or reliever, the former Arkansas Razorback has a plus-fastball and plus-slider with a crossfire delivery. According to MLB.com, Bonnin’s delivery may cause him to find a home in the bullpen, but the 21-year-old has talent.

Mac Wainwright was an interesting selection in Round 4. Wainwright is still just 17-years old. A prep outfielder from just outside of Cleveland, Wainwright is a solid athlete with power and a plus-arm. He looks to be a good, developmental outfielder with the potential to play in either center or left field.

With their final pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds took 6-foot-7 right-hander Joe Boyle out of Notre Dame. Boyle has the best arm strength in the draft, according to MLB.com, hitting 102-MPH on the radar gun. If the Reds minor league coaches can help teach Boyle how to command and control his pitches, watch out!

The Reds landed a power bat in Round 1 with the selection of Austin Hendrick in Round 1. Cincinnati followed it up with three pitchers on Day 2 plus the addition of another prep outfielder and a high school catcher. Overall, the Cincinnati Reds filled a need with the addition of Hendrick’s bat and found some potential help for the starting rotation and bullpen on Day 2.