Reds notebook: The bullpen mix, a prospect turning heads
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The transaction flew under the radar in November, but it was one of those moves that’s much more interesting than it looked like on the surface.
In November, the Reds agreed to a new contract with left-handed reliever Sam Moll that reportedly gives him $875,000 for the 2026 season. The Reds could have non-tendered Moll, who’s out of minor league options and has to make the team out of camp to avoid going on waivers. Instead, even though Moll spent most of the 2025 season in Triple-A and only pitched in 23 big league games, the Reds made a commitment in November to a pitcher in Moll who still wasn’t guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster in 2026.
In November, the Reds were planning to add multiple relievers into the mix who’d slot ahead of Moll on the depth chart. But instead of letting Moll go, the Reds signed him to a low-risk contract that kept him on the roster as depth. He’d compete for a spot in spring training, and they’d see where the bullpen mix stood at the end of camp.
“For me, it was mainly that I didn’t care what I got (financially),” Moll said. “I know that if I can return to what I am, everything is going to work out.”
Things have a way of working out. On Thursday, Terry Francona announced that left-handed specialist Caleb Ferguson will open the year on the IL with an oblique injury. Moll is still competing for a spot, but now there’s a much clearer role for him now on the Opening Day roster than there was before Ferguson’s injury.
Three bullpen spots are up for grabs. Connor Phillips is the frontrunner for one of them. The candidates for the other two include Moll, Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey, Lyon Richardson, Tejay Antone, Hagen Danner and a few others.
Moll is the lefty in that group. Brock Burke will be in the Reds’ Opening Day bullpen, but he’s a pitcher with closer to even left-right splits.
If Moll makes the team, he’ll give the Reds a different look in their active bullpen.
This spring, Moll has pitched six scoreless innings. He has also walked seven batters.
“There’s a lot of room for improvement,” Moll said. “Just get it in the zone. The stuff plays. That’s the reality of my situation. I just need to get it in the zone. I hate freebies. I’m never happy with those. I feel good physically. Just a matter of honing it in and competing through the zone.”
He’s spinning the ball well. He knows that his slider can get swing and miss against just about any left-handed hitter. When he’s rolling, Moll has been trusted in big situations against elite left-handed hitters. But the command, spin and approach versus right-handed hitters hasn’t been consistent over the last three years, which has led to Moll spending time in Triple-A.
As he competes for a spot, Moll said that he needs throw strikes.
“It’s that simple,” Moll said. “Sometimes, it hasn’t been simple to throw it through the zone. I know the reality is I’ve got to get through the zone and get hitters in more of a swing mode.”
Defense up the middle
Matt McLain made a terrific diving play behind the bag at second base on Thursday night that resulted in a 4-3 groundout.
McLain wound up in a diving slide into the outfield as he ranged for the ground ball, popped up and made the throw to first. Back in 2024, when McLain injured his shoulder in spring training, it was as he practiced this type of diving play.
After the game on Thursday, Terry Francona said that was the type of play that he “wasn’t sure McLain makes (last year) because of his shoulder.”
“There were some balls last year to his right that I remember thinking he was going to get and he didn’t,” Francona said. “Then, you see what he can do. That’s exciting for me.”
Elly De La Cruz has also had a very nice spring defensively, making the routine plays as well as impressive highlights.
“He has made all of the routine plays, and that’s the biggest thing,” Francona said. “He has to always move his feet because he has such long arms. He’s long levered. Sometimes those easy throws from other guys are a little harder for him. He just has to move his feet. He has been fine. He has made a couple of really good plays.”
Center field depth picture
Blake Dunn is still working back from a low grade knee strain.
“He really thinks he’s fine, which is good,” Francona said. “The hitting guys voiced that in the cage, they still don’t see him quite being himself. With respect to him competing, I get it. We can’t do something we’re not supposed to do. You’ll see him pretty soon.”
Dunn is competing with Dane Myers for the backup center field job.
Myers has had a very nice spring, making consistent hard contact and showcasing his standout speed. Francona gave Myers high praise.
“He’s a pretty good player,” Francona said. “He does a lot of the things you’re supposed to do right.”
The most fun prospect to watch on the backfields
The Reds, and anyone who follows the farm system, is eager to see how this season goes for 20-year-old Tyson Lewis, who was a second-round pick in 2024.
Lewis posted a jaw-dropping, unbelievable 119 mph exit velocity on a swing last year. In Low-A, he held his own at a young age with a .765 OPS. He’s a very “whippy” athlete with quick twitch that gives him a lot of upside, and he also has very long legs. He can become a real power hitter, and he’s a fantastic athlete.
Lewis is primarily a shortstop, but the Reds have been introducing third base to him this spring.
“He’s growing,” farm director Jeremy Farrell said. “He’s bigger. Stronger. More physical. He’s impacting the ball in the box. I’m excited about the steps he’s taking. I’m excited to see him build on the successes he’s had.”