This Reds prospect should replace Connor Phillips in the Chattanooga Lookouts rotation

The Cincinnati Reds recently moved Connor Phillips, one of the team's top pitching prospects, from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville.

Former second-round pick Christian Roa was also bumped from the Lookouts roster. Both Phillips and Roa are now part of the Louisville Bats starting rotation and are looking to break into the big leagues later this season.

With Phillips and Roa no longer in Chattanooga, the Lookouts have a couple of glaring holes in the starting rotation. It just so happens that one of the Reds bright young pitching prospects is in line for a promotion to Double-A.

Reds prospect Julian Aguiar should replace Connor Phillips in the Chattanooga Lookouts rotation.

With Matt McLain and Brandon Williamson having graduated from prospect status, MLB Pipeline's recent updates have seen two Cincinnati Reds pitchers replace them in the team's Top 30-ranked prospects.

While hard-throwing right-hander Joe Boyle was recently added to the list, fellow pitching prospect Julian Aguiar has carved up the opposition during his second season in the Reds organization. It's time for Aguiar to join Boyle in Chattanooga.

Aguiar, unlike fellow 2021 draft mates McLain and Andrew Abbott, is far from major league-ready, but the 22-year-old is definitely ready for a step up in competition.

Julian Aguiar has made a dozen starts at High-A Dayton this year and has been virtually untouchable. Aguair owns a sparkling 1.97 ERA in 59.1 innings of work. Moreover, Aguiar has maintained a ground ball-rate of 50-percent or higher at every minor league stop.

For the 2023 season, Aguiar is striking out almost 10 batters per nine innings pitched. The right-hander has shown the ability to have success against left-handed hitters (.179/.318/.226) as well as right-handed batters (.160/.205/.226). Aguiar has allowed just eight extra base hits in his 12 starts this year.

While still far away from a spot in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation, joining the Chattanooga Lookouts would be a step in the right direction for Julian Aguiar.