The Cincinnati Reds recalled rookie right-hander Connor Phillips from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, and he will make the start against the Minnesota Twins. The Reds also optioned right-hander Carson Spiers to Louisville and moved right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) to the 60-day injured list in corresponding moves. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be making just his third major-league start on Monday against the first-place Twins. He didn't fare well in his first two starts for the Reds, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits (three home runs) while walking six and striking out 10 in 8 2/3 innings against the Mariners and Tigers. The 22-year-old won't be a recommended fantasy streamer and could be headed right back to the minors after this start.
Cincinnati Reds rookie right-hander Connor Phillips will draw the start on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers, according to the team. Wednesday would be rookie Andrew Abbott's fifth day, but the left-hander has thrown 153 total innings this year in the minors and majors, beating his previous career-high by 35 innings already. Abbott has also been struggling of late, so it makes sense to give him an extra day between starts this week. The 22-year-old Phillips will be making just his second career start after allowing five earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out seven in 4 2/3 frames against the Seattle Mariners. Phillips is obviously risky, but he might be worth streaming in a better matchup against Detroit.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Connor Phillips is scheduled to make his MLB debut against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. The right-hander was recalled on Saturday to replace Brandon Williamson (illness) on the active roster. The Reds currently have four players on the COVID-19 injured list, so they can use all the reinforcements they can get right now. Phillips holds a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 154/57 K/BB ratio between Triple-A and Double-A this season. He could be an interesting streaming option versus the Mariners on Tuesday.
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Connor Phillips is one of the top arms in a farm system that might be the best in the league. Selected 64th overall by the Mariners in 2020, Phillip was flipped to Cincinnati in last summer's trade centered around Luis Castillo. The 22-year-old has an impressive heater that nearly touches triple-digits, as well as a slider and curveball that are both capable of missing bats. He can also keep hitters off guard and set the tone in at-bats with his changeup. During his outing Friday, Phillips lasted seven innings, allowing zero runs on three hits and two walks. Most notably, he struck out an impressive 11 batters in the effort. While the Reds' minor league position players have generated plenty of hype, don't sleep on the plethora of young arms headlined by Phillips himself.
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Connor Phillips continues to have a strong start to the 2023 season in Double-A. A former second-round pick of the Mariners, Phillips was flipped to the Reds in 2022 and has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the organization's most promising pitching prospects. Phillips' best pitch is undoubtedly an upper-90s fastball that he is able to command quite well. He complements his heater with a low-80s slider, low-80s curve, and mid-to-upper-80s changeup. His breaking balls possess solid break, but what makes these three alternate pitches truly special is the way they play off the fastball and how impressive Phillips' command is. This past week featured another big outing for Phillips, who delivered seven shutout frames on June 7. His final line included one hit, one walk, 10 strikeouts, and the win. It was the right-hander's first shutout since April and fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season.
Connor Phillips
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Reds
