Reds: 3 minor-league replacements for injured Wade Miley

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.