Reds pitching development (and hopefully that's all) taking cues from NL Central foe

Considering the longstanding rivalry between the Reds and Pirates, as well as Pittsburgh’s cellar-dwelling reputation over the last decade, few Cincinnati fans will welcome comparisons between the two clubs. However, a striking similarity is developing that could have the Cincinnati faithful (perhaps begrudgingly) cheering.

It seems as though the Cincinnati Reds have caught on to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ knack for selecting and developing young pitchers. In MLB Pipeline’s latest prospect rankings, nearly half of Cincinnati’s Top 30 consists of pitchers, and six of those players are projected to land in the majors this year. Soon the Pirates won’t be the only NL Central club with a fleet of talented young arms.

The Reds seem to be taking a cue from the division rival Pirates

The Pirates have drawn the admiration, and at times jealousy, of their peers as first Jared Jones and then Paul Skenes dominated during their rookie seasons. It doesn’t stop there, though. Top prospect Bubba Chandler should be in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later, and Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft, both on the 40-man roster, will also be a part of the big-league picture in 2025. It truly is an embarrassment of riches in Pittsburgh.

While Burrows and Ashcraft have labored since being drafted out of high school in 2018, Chandler and fellow top prospect Thomas Harrington have flown through the system as Jones and Skenes did before them. This is what the Reds hope to emulate: college standouts rise quickly through the ranks and make an outsized impact in the majors.

Rhett Lowder made the jump last season, and Chase Burns may not be too far behind. Georgia Tech alum Zach Maxwell should fight for a bullpen spot, and LSU product (and Skenes’ teammate) Ty Floyd may be one of the big surprises in his first pro season after battling injuries last year. And while he was a prep arm, you can't forget about Chase Petty either.

If these prospects can recreate the magic that Pittsburgh has found, Cincinnati should be in solid shape for years to come. Better shape than the Pirates, in fact, because the Reds have balanced their pitching prospects with promising position players. While the Pirates may struggle to produce runs, the Reds have plenty of offensive firepower on the way.

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