With injuries piling up, will the Reds fast-track this pitching prospect to the big leagues?

The Cincinnati Reds have seen the injuries begin to pile up, especially within the ranks of the starting rotation.

Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft are all currently on the injured list, though Ashcraft is expected back sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, it's been the starting pitching has held Cincinnati back from flat-out running away with the NL Central. The reason for so many rally wins this season is due mostly to the lack of consistency from the starters.

Reds prospects: Injuries could force Cincinnati to fast-track Connor Phillips.

With all these injuries, the Cincinnati Reds could begin to see some new faces if some of their remaining rotation struggles or another starter hits the IL.

This could require the Reds to dive deeper into their farm system than they may have imagined. Might Cincinnati fast-track one of their hottest minor league pitchers to the big leagues.

Connor Phillips has won back-to-back honors after being named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week yet again. This past week, Phillips threw 12 innings across two starts and allowed just two earned runs while striking out 20 batters and walking only one.

Phillips has struck out more hitters than anybody in the entire minor leagues. Phillips has struck out over 10 batters in four different games on the season, and his dominance has shown that he is much too talented to remain in Double-A.

But a jump to the majors might be too quick for the young prospect. The Reds don't typically move prospects that quickly, as they are rather meticulous and patient with their best prospects. That process shouldn't be any different with Connor Phillips. That said, the 2023 season might bring unprecedented circumstances.

If the Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a situation to win and Connor Phillips gives them the best chance to do so, it's not out of the realm of possibilities to see the young hurler make his major league debut later this season.