{"id":113969,"date":"2026-02-21T22:25:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T03:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=113969"},"modified":"2026-02-21T22:25:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T03:25:44","slug":"cincinnati-reds-roster-road-to-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/21\/cincinnati-reds-roster-road-to-the-show\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Cincinnati Reds: Every Player’s Road to the Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the World Baseball Classic approaching, what better way to celebrate than to look at the current Cincinnati Reds roster and their roots? No matter the country or state they are from and where they played before the majors, they are now all working towards a common goal.<\/p>\n

The Road to the Show for Everyone on the Reds Roster<\/h2>\n

Hunter Greene (SP) – Los Angeles, California, USA<\/h3>\n

Beginning with the starting rotation, the ace of the team, Hunter Greene<\/a>, is from the Golden State, where he was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was a two-way phenom at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA. He was then drafted by the Reds second overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

\"The
May 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Andrew Abbott (SP) – Lynchburg, Virginia, USA<\/h3>\n

Up next is the All-Star starter Andrew Abbott<\/a>, who was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Abbott would spend a full four years pitching at the University of Virginia. He opted to go the college route despite being drafted by the New York Yankees in the 36th round out of high school.<\/p>\n

He was later drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2021 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

Nick Lodolo (SP) – La Verne, California, USA<\/h3>\n

We have another Southern California native, as Nick Lodolo<\/a> joins his rotation mate Hunter Greene as players from the LA area. Born in La Verne, Lodolo went on to play college baseball at Texas Christian University and was later drafted by the Reds with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

Brady Singer (SP) – Leesburg, Florida, USA<\/h3>\n

Brady Singer<\/a>, born and raised in Florida, is now entering his second season with the Reds. Born in Leesburg, Florida, he stayed in state for college baseball, pitching at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round in the 2018 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

Rhett Lowder (SP) – Albemarle, North Carolina, USA<\/h3>\n

We now move to our first youngster on the roster, who was born in North Carolina. Like Singer, Rhett Lowder<\/a> stayed in-state for college baseball, spending three years at Wake Forest. He was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

Chase Burns (SP) – Naples, Italy<\/h3>\n

The Reds\u2019 very own top prospect, Chase Burns<\/a>, was born in Naples, Italy, where his parents were stationed in the U.S. Navy. He grew up in Tennessee and spent two seasons at the University of Tennessee. However, he played his third and final year of college baseball at Wake Forest before being taken second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Jun 30, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (26) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Emilio Pagan (RP) – Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA<\/h3>\n

Moving on from the starting rotation, Reds closer Emilio Pagan<\/a> is a South Carolina product. He played college baseball at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, near Charlotte, and was drafted in the 10th round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2013 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

Tony Santillan (RP) – Fort Worth, Texas, USA<\/h3>\n

Cincinnati\u2019s big set-up man, Tony Santillan<\/a>, is up next, and is the first Texan on the list. He went to Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas, and was drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft, originally as a position player.<\/p>\n

\n

Tony Santillan: bad guy pic.twitter.com\/bEruKek7mR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) September 25, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n