{"id":115218,"date":"2026-03-09T21:12:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=115218"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:12:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:12:54","slug":"cincinnati-reds-shining-spring-training-pitchers-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/09\/cincinnati-reds-shining-spring-training-pitchers-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Reds Shining in Spring Training: Pitchers Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While the rest of the country is dealing with the last few days of winter, Arizona is the momentary home for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/05\/cincinnati-reds-shining-in-spring-hitters-edition\/\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Reds during spring training<\/a>. The weather is warm, and the arms are firing, so let\u2019s check out some Reds pitchers who have stood out so far this spring.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_103444\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-103444\" style=\"width: 609px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"609\" height=\"406\" class=\" wp-image-103444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26565459_168400885_lowres.jpg 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-103444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">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<h2>Reds Pitchers Who are Shining in Spring Training<\/h2>\n<h3>Chase Burns &#8211; SP<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">After getting a cup of coffee in the big leagues in 2025, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/burnsch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-09_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chase Burns<\/a> will be aiming to take a rotation spot out of spring training. Due to his top prospect status and pedigree, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/07\/28\/chase-burns-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">second overall pick from 2024<\/a> is all but guaranteed to slot in as the fifth starter to begin the season, but his performance in spring still matters due to inexperience.<\/p>\n<p>So far, he has made two starts, totaling 4 1\/3 innings, allowing just one run. Results aren\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t be the main focus of spring training, but in this case, Burns&#8217; results and process have both stood out.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Batters swung at 23 of Chase Burns&#8217; pitches today and they completely missed 14 of them. \ud83d\ude2e<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LA8pCu61Ge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/LA8pCu61Ge<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Codify (@CodifyBaseball) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CodifyBaseball\/status\/2027156146705125685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>His slider has been sharp, helping his strikeout numbers. Although his five walks are a bit much, there is plenty of time left to hone in on command and get comfortable back on the mound.<\/p>\n<p>The main objective for Burns this offseason was not to overcomplicate things. Despite his ERA being over four in 2025 for the Reds, a couple of blowup starts did the most damage to his overall stats. His second career start was an ugly one in Boston, where he was more than likely tipping pitches that day.<\/p>\n<p>The below-average results weren\u2019t because of his stuff or a lack thereof, but rather just the average experience of a young arm\u2019s first taste of the big leagues. It\u2019s extremely promising to see that Burns didn\u2019t make any drastic, reactionary changes to his approach\/delivery.<\/p>\n<h3>Tejay Antone &#8211; RP\/SP<\/h3>\n<p>The 32-year-old <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/antonte01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-09_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tejay Antone<\/a> is in the hunt for one of the final roster spots in the bullpen. He first made his mark in a Reds uniform in 2020, where he played a big part in the team reaching the expanded postseason as a rookie.<\/p>\n<p>Countless injuries (including two Tommy John surgeries) later, Antone is back, trying to make the club out of spring to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/26\/reds-tejay-antone-comeback-potential-gem\/https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/26\/reds-tejay-antone-comeback-potential-gem\/\" target=\"_self\">complete his comeback<\/a>. So far in spring training, Antone has tossed three scoreless innings.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Mark Sheldon said that Tejay Antone was the Reds dark horse candidate to make the team out of spring training \ud83d\udc40 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gnvCSKj8RZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/gnvCSKj8RZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBoxSports\/status\/2025933674869658111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Health is the number one focus for Antone at this point, as one more major arm injury likely takes his cleats off. However, his velocity and stuff are still sharp, and he can be a solid middle reliever in 2026 for Cincinnati.<\/p>\n<p>In the event of the starting rotation being decimated with injuries, Antone can even step up and make a few spot starts, even if he only lasts two to three innings.<\/p>\n<h3>Sam Moll &#8211; RP<\/h3>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mollsa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-09_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Moll<\/a>\u2019s 2025 season was one to forget, as he got lit up in the limited action he was a part of. In 18 1\/3 innings, he had a 6.38 ERA and was essentially unplayable. This was especially unfortunate for the Reds&#8217; bullpen, which had just him and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-03-09_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brent Suter<\/a> as the only left-handers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Reds have locked in Sam Moll for 2026 with a 1-yr deal, avoiding arbitration, while letting Will Banfield, Roddery Mu\u00f1oz &amp; Carson Spiers walk (non-tendered) and hit free agency. Team keeps a lefty bullpen arm &amp; frees up roster\/salary flexibility for next year. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kslXmDEvCC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/kslXmDEvCC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SleeperReds (@SleeperReds) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SleeperReds\/status\/1991991037603279113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So far this spring, though, Moll has recorded four scoreless innings. Stats for relievers are a bit difficult to judge due to the inherent volatility of the position, and stats in spring training mean even less. However, it is a good sign to see Moll being effective in the early going.<\/p>\n<p>There is a major reason for belief in Moll, though, as he actually had a good season (one can argue) despite the 6.38 ERA. It may sound insane, but his xERA was just 3.79. In fact, he did some things extremely well, which all but reinforces the possibility of a bounce-back season.<\/p>\n<p>.205 xBA<\/p>\n<p>33.1 Whiff%<\/p>\n<p>27.2 K%<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While the rest of the country is dealing with the last few days of winter, Arizona is the momentary home for the Cincinnati Reds during spring training. The weather is warm, and the arms are firing, so let\u2019s check out some Reds pitchers who have stood out so far this spring. Reds Pitchers Who are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5447,"featured_media":109987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28,1071,35],"tags":[2805,4938,6510,29280],"class_list":["post-115218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reds","category-mlb","category-news","tag-brent-suter","tag-chase-burns","tag-sam-moll","tag-tejay-antone"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5447"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115218"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":115385,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115218\/revisions\/115385"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}