Reds sign former Dodgers prospect after indy ball comeback

The Cincinnati Reds picked up former Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Zach Willeman after his successful stint in the independent leagues. It's not yet known where Willeman will begin his Reds career, but the Ohio native has plenty of minor-league experience.

Willeman has spent the past two seasons with the Sioux City Explorers. Last season, Willeman owned a 3.42 ERA in 41 appearances. Working out of the Sioux City bullpen, Willeman recorded three saves and struck out 67 batters over 50 innings of work but walked 30 batters.

This season, however, Willeman seems to have gained better control and command of the strike zone while operating as a starting pitcher in the Explorers' rotation. Willeman has made eight starts in 2025, and through 50 innings, has struck out 65 opposing batters and walked just 22. Lowering his BB/9 from 5.4 to 4.0 may have caught the eye of Cincinnati's scouts who are always looking to bring intriguing arms into the Reds system.

Former Dodgers prospect Zach Willeman signs with Reds after indy ball comeback

Willeman was selected by the Dodgers in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. What would've been a late-round flier a few years ago, was more in line with a mid-round draft choice back then. The MLB Draft used to be 40 rounds until 2021. The league condensed the draft to just five round during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and since 2021, the MLB Draft only last 20 rounds.

Willeman, a Kent State product, put together an impressive career for the Golden Flashes. In three seasons, the right-hander posted a 3.86 ERA in over 120 innings and struck out 129 batters. After being selected with the 580th pick, Willeman began his ascent up through the Dodgers' farm system, but after the 2021 season joined the Kansas City Royals.

Willeman made it all the way to Triple-A with KC's minor-league affiliate, but in 34 appearances with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022, he posted a disappointed 6.27 ERA while also walking 29 batters in 31 ⅓ innings. Willeman was in the Miami Marlins farm system in 2023 before joining Sioux City in 2024.

The Reds have dealt with reclamation projects like this in the past, with former reliever Fernando Cruz as the most obvious example. Cruz, who was traded to the New York Yankees this past offseason, toiled away in the independent leagues for years before getting a chance with the Reds in 2022.

Since his MLB debut, Cruz has appeared in 172 games and has 281 strikeouts. The Reds are hopeful Willeman finds similar success, as he attempts to make his Major League dream come true. Willeman is the 39th player from Sioux City to join a Major League system since 2006.

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