This hard-throwing Reds prospect could bury the Alexis Diaz trade backlash quickly

When the Cincinnati Reds shipped former All-Star closer Alexis Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 29 in exchange for minor league reliever Mike Villani, the fanbase’s reaction was swift and emotional.

Díaz, despite his inconsistencies in 2024, was a known commodity — a late-inning weapon who had delivered electric moments in a Reds uniform. Trading him away, especially in a win-now environment and for modest returns, left many fans disillusioned with the front office.

But in an effort to rewrite the narrative, let’s take a look at who the Reds have waiting in the wings — someone barking up a similar tree as Díaz. Zach Maxwell, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound right-handed behemoth, is making enough noise in the Reds’ system to quiet even the loudest Díaz critics. He hasn’t made his Major League debut yet, but if early signs hold, it won’t be long before fans see him in a Reds uniform.

The Alexis Díaz trade sting won’t last long if Zach Maxwell delivers for the Reds

Maxwell, picked in the 6th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, boasts a powerful arsenal. His fastball averages a scorching 99.2 miles per hour, but velocity is just part of the story. He compliments his fastball with a sharp 92.8 mph slider, which serves as a strikeout weapon on its own. In 2024, that two-pitch combo fueled a 38 percent whiff rate and made him one of the most un-hittable relievers in the upper minors.

Maxwell’s 2024 minor league campaign was a loud coming-out party, showcasing his dominance across 53 appearances. He posted a 7–2 record with a 3.17 ERA, striking out 85 batters over 54 innings while maintaining a 1.46 WHIP.

He began the year in Double-A Chattanooga, where he posted a 1.23 ERA over 14 appearances. Promoted to Triple-A Louisville, he held his own, registering a 3.89 ERA across 39 games while continuing to showcase high-octane stuff and an ability to handle late-inning leverage.

His development isn’t just about velocity and strikeouts — it’s also about adaptability and durability. Scouts have noted his ability to pitch on back-to-back days without losing velocity, a critical trait for bullpen arms at the MLB level. And after a year of refining his mechanics and command, his once-wild tendencies have been refined enough to make him a viable bullpen option in Cincinnati very soon.

The Alexis Díaz trade hurt for many reasons and that’s understandable. But Maxwell has the tools to make fans forget. His ceiling is that of a high-leverage bullpen weapon, maybe even a closer if his control continues to sharpen. And unlike Díaz, whose effectiveness was starting to waver, Maxwell brings a sense of mystery and upside that could bring some electricity to late innings at Great American Ball Park.

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