These Reds rookies are showing something veterans can't when it matters most

The Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen has certainly made the playoff chase interesting. Cincinnati entered play on August 20, less than a month ago, a mere one game back of the third NL Wild Card spot. Since then, the relief corps has gone 3-5 with a 4.90 ERA.

Much of the struggles lay at the feet of the veterans, but a couple of rookie relievers are giving the Reds hope not only for the playoffs, but for the team’s future.

For much of this season, Scott Barlow and Brent Suter have been exactly who the Reds needed (and expected). In fact, Barlow is on track to surpass his career high of 71 appearances, and he was one of just three Reds relievers to have a nine-game scoreless streak this year.

Connor Phillips and Zach Maxwell may be the most important relievers if the Reds hope to make the playoffs

The pair, though, has had an abysmal September, allowing a combined 14 runs in just six innings. Luckily, Connor Phillips and Zach Maxwell have stepped up in their stead.

After a fraught path back to the majors, Phillips finally seems like he’s figured things out. His velocity is up, and his stuff is sizzling. In his second stint with the big-league club, which began in mid-August, he has a 2.25 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 12 innings. With such success, Phillips could be a darkhorse candidate to take over the closer role.

If Phillips’ velocity is impressive, Maxwell’s is downright jaw-dropping. His four-seamer is averaging 99.4 mph, while his slider, which has an 83.3% K-rate, dips and dives at 88.2 mph. Fans have long awaited the rise of Big Sugar, and he isn’t playing around. In eight innings, he has 13 strikeouts and just three walks. He has been tagged for two homers, which could be a concern over a longer stretch, but it doesn’t take away from his sheer dominance.

Barlow and Suter are struggling at the worst time not only for the playoff race, but for themselves. Each has a club option for 2026; Barlow’s $6 million is likely far above market value, so his late-season struggles could cause the Reds to offload him and could affect his price on the free-agent market. Regardless of how Cincinnati handles the veterans’ options, the Reds should feel good entering the offseason with two young, controllable relievers waiting in the wings.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors