3 Reds prospects who are flying under the radar heading into 2023

3. Reds RHP prospect Joe Boyle is flying under the radar.

It's hard for a pitcher than throws over 100 mph to fly under the radar, but that's exactly what Joe Boyle's been doing since being drafted out of the University of Notre Dame in 2020. While his command is certainly an issue, all the other metrics are eye-popping.

Boyle was the Reds final draft pick in the abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft and the 23-year-old has been absolutely dominant at times throughout his minor league career. Last season, while pitching at High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, Boyle owned a 2.86 ERA in 23 appearances.

Furthermore, Boyle posted a ridiculous 13.68 K/9 and 36.5% strikeout-rate. Unfortunately, Boyle also posted a ridiculous 7.51 BB/9 and 20.0% walk-rate. But Boyle only allowed six home runs in 100.2 innings of work (0.54 HR/9).

There's a lot to unpack with Joe Boyle, and anymore, one cannot just hurl the ball up to the dish at 100 mph and expect not to get hit. More over, command and control are key once a pitcher arrives at the major league level. Reds fans saw how mightily Hunter Greene struggled early in the year after too walks and a penchant for surrendering homers saw his ERA skyrocket.

The Cincinnati Reds are still, wisely, stretching Boyle out to be a starter. The added experience will only help him once the right-hander finally makes the jump to the majors. But, look for Boyle to eventually transition into a reliever at the major league level. Boyle's stuff, in short stints, could turn out to be un-hittable.