Once-heralded prospect’s struggles cast doubt on Reds' future closer options

Coming into the 2025 season, the Reds’ closer role was up for grabs. Several internal options seemed like viable candidates as did free agent acquisitions such as Scott Barlow. Eventually, though, Emilio Pagán emerged as the standout choice. His impressive season – 19 saves as of July 10, good for third in the NL – will make him a valuable free agent when he hits the market this winter, and the Reds will be back to where they were last offseason.

Zach Maxwell, who has twice been a non-roster invitee to spring training, seemed like a natural heir to the closer role until recently. “Big Sugar” boasts a blazing fastball and knee-buckling slider, a solid 1-2 punch for a late-inning reliever. In his second stint at Triple-A, though, the prospect’s development has slowed.

The future of the Reds’ closer position is murkier than ever due to slow prospect development

Maxwell still has dominant stuff, but he has had much worse command of it this year. His first-pitch strike rate is down from 52.3% between Double-A and Triple-A last season to 44.4% in 2025. His strikeout rate has dropped 13.4%, and he’s getting walloped to the tune of 1.32 HR/9. 

Maxwell seems to have even lost the faith of Louisville management. He’s closed out just six of his past 21 appearances, and only three of those ninth-inning appearances were save opportunities. The fact that he has yet to make the Reds’ 40-man roster may also speak to a level of doubt in the big-league club.

So, if Pagán does leave via free agency or is even traded in the coming weeks, the Reds will likely have to turn to options other than Maxwell at least for the time being. They have the flamethrowing Luis Mey, who has given up just one hit in five high-leverage outings with the Reds this year. (Unfortunately, that hit was a go-ahead three-run homer against the Cubs.)

There’s also Tony Santillan, Pagán’s setup man who has stranded 82.5% of runners on base, or Graham Ashcraft, whose shift to the bullpen this season has rejuvenated his career. The Reds would obviously prefer to go with an internal option and avoid the high price of upcoming free agents such as Ryan Helsley. It’s unfortunate, then, that Maxwell has taken such a nose dive in form. Once a likely replacement for Alexis Diaz, the big righty still has a lot to prove.