Reds should take a flier on this former first-round pick

With so many players being released this past week, the Cincinnati Reds have a treasure trove of former top prospects who have become available.

One of those players is Kyle Zimmer whom the Kansas City Royals released just yesterday.

The Reds should take a flier on Kyle Zimmer.

Kyle Zimmer was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. The right-hander, however, has never excelled in the big leagues.

Zimmer has less than 100 innings of work under his belt and an ERA of 5.19.

Zimmer has always been highly-touted and, in 2014, was KC's No. 1 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

The 30-year-old made a name for himself at the University of San Francisco.

Zimmer is a former third baseman who made the transition to college starter during his sophomore year.

He posted a 3.31 ERA and 193 strikeouts over 179.2 innings of work with a fastball that was able to touch 100-MPH.

The success Zimmer enjoyed in college has never made the transition to the big leagues, in part due to injury.

Zimmer has suffered biceps tendinitis, a lat injury, and shoulder problems throughout his career.

Kyle Zimmer is pre-arbitration eligible, and should the Cincinnati Reds sign the 30-year-old, he'd be under team control through the 2025 season.

Adding Zimmer to the roster offers the Reds a ton of upside with little risk. Those seem to be the types of deals Cincinnati is looking for this winter.

Zimmer showed promise during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He pitched 23 innings in relief and posted a 1.57 ERA.

This past season, however, Zimmer allowed seven balls to leave the yard while owning a 4.83 ERA.

Kyle Zimmer would be in the mold of a Carson Fulmer or Cionel Pérez; a highly regarded prospect who's never achieved success in the major leagues.

The Cincinnati Reds have shown a willingness in the past to take a flier on these types of pitchers. I expect the front office to attempt to bring Zimmer to Cincinnati.