3 dark horse candidates for the last spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation

2. Connor Phillips

While Brandon Williamson has shown that he has what it takes to get big league hitters out, Connor Phillips still has much to prove. However, there might not be a pitcher in the entire organization with a better mix of pure stuff. But that alone won't get it done.

Phillips was a non-roster invitee to big league camp last year, but was optioned to the minors leagues before the 2023 season began. Phillips showed why so many coaches and evaluators within the Reds organization are so high on him.

The right-hander, who's viewed as one of the Top 100 prospects in baseball, has a developing four-pitch mix with a fastball that touches the upper-90s. If Phillips can continue to develop both his breaking balls and his off-speed pitch, the 22-year-old has an extremely high ceiling.

The problem, however, is Phillips' command. Some scouts have suggested that Phillips' ability to control his pitches is bad enough that he could wind up in the bullpen. That seems a bit extreme for a pitcher who's not even 23 years old. But when you see a walk-rate over 12-percent during his 24 starts in the minors, you understand what they're talking about.

Connor Phillips is certainly a dark horse candidate to make a run at the Opening Day roster. He has minor league options remaining, and with just 10 starts at Triple-A under his belt, the former Seattle Mariners farmhand could definitely use more seasoning. But, if Phillips is able to show an ability to get swings and misses without putting free runners on base, he's got an outside shot to slot into the Reds rotation.

3. Lyon Richardson

If you want to talk about a true dark horse to make the Cincinnati Reds 2024 Opening Day rotation, look no further than Lyon Richardson. The right-hander, who was the Reds' second-round pick several years back, was a surprising addition to the 40-man roster last offseason.

Many Reds fans were caught off guard when Cincinnati decided to add Richardson to the roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. After all, Richardson was recovering from Tommy John surgery, and his track record in the minors was spotty at best.

As it turns out, the Reds needed Richardson in 2023. The 24-year-old made four starts, and while his stat line is less than impressive, 16.2 innings pitched is not nearly enough to make an informed judgment about his future. Richardson posted a ghastly 8.64 ERA and 18.5-percent walk-rate.

But, during his stint in the minors last season, which included stops at Low-A Daytona, Double-A Chattanooga, and Triple-A Louisville, Richardson collected 24 starts and posted a 3.50 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 69.1 innings of work while only allowing two home runs. Opposing batters only hit .206 off Richardson during those games.

It will take a strong showing by Richardson during spring training in order to find his way onto the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster that's loaded with talented arms. But don't discount his ability to out-pitch the competition.

Being another year fully removed from elbow surgery may allow Richardson to showcase the immense talent that saw him taken with the 47th-overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and protected from the 2022 Rule 5 Draft.