Reds: Relief help is nonexistent in the minor leagues

For those fans hoping to see the Cincinnati Reds find some bullpen help in Triple-A Louisville, you’re barking up the wrong tree. The Louisville Bats have a bullpen ERA of 5.38 and very few relievers would offer David Bell any relief if promoted to the big leagues.

After watching the Reds bullpen produce putrid results once again on Tuesday night, the Cincinnati faithful are scrambling for answers. They’re unlikely to find them at Triple-A Louisville, unless Nick Krall desires to transform a couple minor league starters into major league relievers.

The Reds bullpen has been an unmitigated disaster this season.

Amir Garrett, the Cincinnati Reds self-professed closer, has been an absolute disaster this season. Carson Fulmer, Jose De Leon, and Cionel Perez have already seen I-71 South; in Perez’s case, he’s seen it multiple times. Ashton Goudeau has had a cup of coffee with the Reds this season, and Art Warren has been a consistent presence on the Reds taxi squad.

Both Ryan Hendrix and Heath Hembree, thought to be solid additions when the two right-hander’s received the call to the big leagues, have faltered recently. Hendrix now owns a 5.27 ERA, allowing four hits and three earned runs in his last two outings. Hembree has allowed at least one earned run in four of his last five games.

Cincinnati’s best reliever has been Tejay Antone, and it’s not even close. For those advocating for Antone to join the rotation, think of where this team would be if Antone’s spot in the bullpen was filled by the likes of Jeff Hoffman. Yikes!

Lucas Sims has been solid, though his ERA (5.68) is much higher than most fans would like to see, The right-hander does have 29 strikeouts in 19 innings of work and three saves on the season. The recently promoted Brad Brach has pitched well too, owning a 3.60 ERA in his first five games and seven punch outs in five innings.

The Louisville Bats have no relief to offer the Cincinnati Reds.

If you’re looking for help from the Louisville Bats, you better start looking elsewhere. The Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds ranks 17th out of 20 in bullpen ERA. The Bats bullpen has allowed 99 hits in 92 innings.

Bats relievers have blown six save opportunities in 10 tries during the first month of play and the Louisville bullpen has also allowed the second highest batting average against (.274) in the East Division.

The Louisville Bats have had success with a couple of the team’s starters. Tony Santillan (2.49 ERA) and Reiver Sanmartin (1.64 ERA) have pitched very well in their combined nine starts. Both Santillan and Sanmartin are starting pitchers for the Bats, but may profile as relievers once they make the leap to the big leagues.

If David Bell is looking for relief help from the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, he won’t find any. Riley O’Brien (2.86 ERA) would be a nice addition, but much like Santillan and Sanmartin, O’Brien is a starter for the Louisville Bats.