Cincinnati Reds sign walk-prone right-hander to minor league deal

Over the weekend, the Cincinnati Reds signed right-hander Pedro Payano to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Payano has struggled with free passes during his career, but adds depth to the Reds minor league system.

This is a low-risk signing for the Cincinnati Reds. Payano has two minor-league options remaining and is still only 27 years old. Last season, as part of the Detroit Tigers' minor league system, Payano appeared in 24 games and posted a 4.65 ERA.

The Reds signed RHP Pedro Payano to a minor league contract.

Pedro Payano began his career with the Texas Rangers. Signing for $650K in 2012, Payano began playing rookie ball at age 17. Recording strikeouts has never been Payano's issue, but allowing free passes. Last season, Payano put up a 12.6% walk-rate.

What will Payano's role be this spring? That's anyone's guess, but one would assume he'd be given the opportunity to land a spot in the Cincinnati starting rotation. The right-hander has a four-pitch mix, with a changeup that's probably his only plus pitch.

Payano's fastball sits in the mid-90s and his breaking stuff is average at best. Perhaps the Reds would best utilize Payano as a right-hander out of the bullpen, allowing him to focus on just his fastball/ changeup combination.

Pedro Payano will have plenty of competition just to make the Reds roster. The starting rotation, barring a trade, will be Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Vladimir Gutierrez, Tyler Mahle, and one of Reiver Sanmartin, Hunter Greene, or Nick Lodolo.

Should the Reds give Payano an opportunity to win a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen, he'd still have a steep hill to climb. Luis Cessa, Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims, Art Warren, Tony Santillan, and others are ahead of Payano on the depth chart.

Brandon Bailey, Kyle Dowdy, and Ben Lively were already signed to minor league contracts and will be fighting for a spot on the Cincinnati Reds roster as well. In the end, the addition of Pedro Payano is most likely for depth at the Triple-A level, but if Derek Johnson can help him to command the strike zone, the Dominican native could be a nice addition.