Reds: 3 minor-league replacements for injured Wade Miley

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 27: Jose De Leon #87 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the game. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Who might the Reds turn to with Wade Miley on the 10-IL?

There are any number of ways the Cincinnati Reds could replace Wade Miley during the weekend series in Chicago, but Hunter Greene is not one of them. Neither is Nick Lodolo, so let’s get beyond the idea of Cincinnati turning to one of the top two prospects in order to replace the veteran southpaw.

Tejay Antone would be a name a lot of Reds fans would love to hear as well, but all indications point to David Bell leaving his most reliable relief pitcher in the bullpen. That means Cincinnati will likely turn to one of their Triple-A starters in order to fill in for the injured Miley.

Whoever the team decides to select before Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field will likely come from their 40-man roster. That narrows the pool a bit, but still gives Nick Krall a handful of candidates ready to audition for a full-time role with the big league club.

1. José De León, Reds right-handed pitcher

I know a good majority of Reds fans will gasp when they see José De León’s name on this list, and for me, he’s the least desirable option to replace Wade Miley. The right-hander has two starts under his belt this season, and the results were mixed.

Over 18.1 total innings of work (two starts and seven relief appearances), De León has an 8.35 ERA, allowing 17 runs on 17 hits and walking 11 batters. On the plus side, De León has 33 punch outs, and struck out nine batters in his 2021 debut with the Cincinnati Reds.

De León can pound the strike zone, as evidence by his 16.20 K/9 and 36.3% strikeout-rate. However, the 28-year-old also has 5.40 BB/9 and a 12.1% walk-rate. De León is an option, but there are better pitchers to turn to.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 04: Tony Santillan #85 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a first inning pitch. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. Tony Santillan, Reds right-handed pitcher

It’s time! Tony Santillan has been one of the Cincinnati Reds Top 10 prospects for the past few years, and it’s time for the right-hander to be given his opportunity to start in the big leagues. The Texas native is off to a fantastic start for the Louisville Bats this season and could be solid replacement until Wade Miley returns from the injured list.

Santillan is a hard-throwing righty with plenty of velocity on his fastball. Currently ranked as the team’s No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Santillan possesses a nice fastball/ slider combination, with a heater that can touch the upper-90s. He was the team’s second-round pick in 2015.

Santillan is hitting his spots for Triple-A Louisville this season. The hulking right-hander owns a 10.71 K/9 and 29.5% strikeout-rate in four starts for the Bats this season. He’s also improved his command, as we’ve seen the walk-rate return to career norms for talented farmhand.

The Cincinnati Reds have some more refined arms in their minor league system, but if you’re looking for a power-pitcher with enough gas to get hitters out, then Santillan is your guy. Whether it’s this weekend or later this season, the Cincinnati faithful should fully expect to see Tony Santillan toeing the rubber for the Reds at some point this season.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: Starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez #76 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

3. Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds right-handed pitcher

For my money, Vladimir Gutierrez is the Cincinnati Reds best option to replace Wade Miley in the rotation. The right-hander, much like Tony Santillan, has been among the best pitching prospects in Cincinnati’s farm system for sometime now, and it’s time for the Cuban native to get his opportunity at the big league level.

Gutierrez is ranked as the 12th overall prospect in the Cincinnati Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline, and No. 17 according to FanGraphs. The right-hander was suspended for the entirety of the 2020 season and the first few weeks of 2021 after testing positive for PEDs last year.

Gutierrez is a bit more refined than Santillan, as the former international signee has a four-pitch mix and is said to have the best curveball in the Reds farm system. Scouts reference his changeup as an above-average pitch as well.

Based on his current schedule, Vladimir Gutierrez would be in line to pitch on four days rest during the Reds upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs. On the young minor league season, Gutierrez is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA, 31.3% strikeout-rate and 11.12 K/9.

Next. Reds have no choice but to option Castillo

Another name to keep an eye on is former Tampa Bay Rays’ prospect Riley O’Brien. O’Brien profiles as more of a relief pitcher in the big leagues, but the right-hander has started three games for Triple-A Louisville this season and could be an option to replace Wade Miley as well.

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