Reds: 3 under-the-radar prospects who’ll make their debut in 2022

2. James Marinan, Reds pitching prospect

The Cincinnati Reds acquired James Marinan from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade that sent right-handers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal to Hollywood. Marinan was just 19 years old when he was traded to Cincinnati and finally seems to be putting it together.

Not yet 23, Marinan graduated from Low-A Daytona to High-A Dayton near the end of the 2021 season and one of handful of Reds prospects who’ll be playing in the Arizona Fall League. Marinan is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter, and while there’s an outside chance that Cincinnati will add the right-hander to the 40-man roster, Marinan has yet to play above A-Ball.

So why would Marinan make the leap the majors next season? Because he the type of pitch repertoire (fastball, slider, and changeup) that will play at the big league level. Marinan has been a starting pitcher throughout the majority of his professional career, but he did receive a few relief appearances in 2021 while playing at Low-A Daytona.

Marinan was the Dodgers’ fourth-round pick in 2017. The right-hander made just two starts at High-A Dayton, but his 38.6% strikeout-rate surely caught the eye of Cincinnati’s scouting department.

Marinan’s consistency and command are two things the Florida native will have to work one during his time in the Arizona Fall League and during spring training. If James Marinan can gain control and reduce his walk-rate, he’ll have a decent shot to debut next season.