Reds: 3 candidates to replace Tejay Antone who exited game with injury

2. Reds right-hander Dauri Moreta could replace Tejay Antone.

Prior to last season, Tejay Antone was one of the Reds best young pitchers you’d never heard of. This season, Dauri Moreta may be one of the Cincinnati Reds best young prospects that you’ve never heard of. The right-hander began the 2021 season at Double-A Chattanooga but was recently called up to Triple-A Louisville in early July.

Moreta has been in Cincinnati’s organization for awhile, but has come into his own this season at the age of 25. Moreta is currently ranked No. 28 in the team’s farm system according to MLB Pipeline and relies mostly on his fastball/ changeup combination.

Moreta has never been a high velocity pitcher, but this season has seen the Dominican add a couple miles per hour to his heater. He maintains very good control with his fastball and has a slider in his arsenal as well.

Dauri Moreta received the call-up to Triple-A earlier last month and has yet to allow a run while appearing in 13 games for the Bats. Moreta has a 26.3% strikeout-rate since arriving at Triple-A and opponents are hitting just .130 against him.

As was mentioned earlier, adding Moreta to the 40-man roster would not necessitate a corresponding move as the Cincinnati Reds roster currently stands at 37. Moreta isn’t a high-leverage reliever like Tejay Antone, but the right-hander could add a steady presence in the Reds bullpen.