Graham Ashcraft isn't the only Reds pitcher who should be pushed to the bullpen

The upcoming season for the Cincinnati Reds is going to be an interesting one. Behind new manager Terry Francona and several new faces joining the club, Cincinnati to has a chance at a winning 2025 campaign.

As newer players are set to lace 'em up for the Reds, but some roster shuffling is also necessary. Pitcher Graham Ashcraft could move from the rotation to the bullpen in order to make room for other arms like Rhett Lowder and Brady Singer. But it might not just stop at Ashcraft. Former top prospect and starting pitcher Connor Phillips should be in that conversation as well.

Connor Phillips should move into the Reds bullpen

Phillips , along with a few other Reds pitching prospects, could vie for a roster spot this spring with a strong showing in Goodyear. Phillips' best chance of that coming to fruition is if he turns himself into a reliever. Considering he can throw 99 miles per hour with a heavy curveball, that 1-2 combo is lethal and dangerous enough to take care of most major league hitters.

Still just 23 years old, the right-hander's biggest problem is his command. Like most young flamethrowers, Phillips struggled to consistently hit the zone in 2024, and he handed out 60 walks in 78 2/3 innings with Triple-A Louisville; finishing the year with an 8.01 ERA in 19 starts.

Despite a rough season in the minors, he dusted off those struggles in an attempt to figure things out in the Arizona Fall League. Phillips ended on a strong note in his last few starts. The Reds are hopeful that he can maintain the form he exuded in the AFL and get back to his 2023 version when he saw some time in the big leagues as a late-September call-up.

Reds fans would love to see Phillips back at Great American Ball Park in 2025. His stuff is nasty, which makes his aggressive delivery even more exciting. A big league return would be a matter of how the coaching staff decides to continue his development.

If Phillips remains a starter, then he has plenty of work to do before he's ready for a return to the big leagues. If you move Phillips to the bullpen, his strengths become even more powerful, all while not having to wait on him to mature.

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