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Five Reds Prospects Who Could Factor into Postseason Push

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The Cincinnati Reds are 45-42, sitting in fourth place in the National League Central. Their hot streak in June brought them much closer to a potential postseason appearance, but they are still trailing by a good amount. With the halfway mark of the season behind us, this is generally the time when fatigue starts to catch up and nagging injuries begin to spread throughout the roster. With that said, here are some young prospects in the Reds organization that may factor in in order to help bring Cincinnati a step closer to the postseason.

Five Reds Prospects Who Could Play a Role in a Postseason Push

Chase Burns – SP

The number one overall pitching prospect in MLB has made it to the big leagues just one season after being taken number two overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest.

Chase Burns has two starts under his belt, with a five inning, three earned run, eight strikeout MLB debut against the New York Yankees followed by a nightmare start in Boston where he allowed a whopping seven runs (five earned) while recording just one out, failing to make it out of the first inning.

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

Despite the struggles, Burns will likely remain in the big league rotation for the remaining season as planned. With a pitcher of Burns’ caliber and stuff, there is widespread confidence that he will bounce back and play a part in the Reds’ second-half postseason push.

Furthermore, there were rumblings about Burns potentially tipping his pitches, which would make sense, as the Red Sox hitters were swinging early and often, making hard contact again and again. If this is indeed the case, it should be an easy fix that Burns and the pitching lab can fix.

Chase Petty – SP

Ranked as the sixth overall prospect in the Reds system, Chase Petty has made it to the big leagues this season, but has had some odd treatment by the organization.

He has been up and down this season to make spot starts, much like a veteran arm rather than a 22-year-old prospect would be treated. In his three appearances (two starts, one relief appearance), the numbers have not been pretty, with a 19.50 ERA in six innings pitched.

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While it obviously has been a struggle, the context surrounding his performance is important. He has been put into situations that are difficult to navigate for any pitcher, much less a 22-year-old. Following the trend of this season, he will likely get recalled to the big leagues sometime again this season, and could make an impact on their road to the postseason.

Luis Mey – RP

23-year-old Luis Mey is Cincinnati’s 20th overall prospect. The big, hulking righty stands at six feet five inches tall with a fastball that reaches 103 MPH.

Mey has had a cup of coffee in the big leagues this season, tossing 14 1/3 innings over 15 appearances with a 4.40 ERA. His command proved to be a bit of an issue, as he allowed 10 walks in those 14 1/3 innings.

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In Triple-A Louisville, Mey is working on a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings, and we could see him emerge once again to provide the bullpen with a swing-and-miss potential arm.

Rhett Lowder – SP

Rhett Lowder suffered a left oblique injury on May 22 during a rehab start down at Triple-A, and his timetable is currently unclear. The diagnosis indicates a pretty significant injury, and he will be out for an extended period of time. He most recently suffered a setback on June 4. It has not been a good year for Lowder, as the 2023 seventh overall pick suffered arm soreness early on during spring training and has essentially been out all year.

If he does return this season, it will most likely be in September at the earliest. It remains a long shot, but is still possible.

Lowder was a late call-up back in 2024, when he made six starts, posting a 1.17 ERA across 30 2/3 innings. He walked 14 batters and struck out 22 of them, and most impressively, allowed zero home runs. In these six starts, he allowed runs in just two starts, mighty impressive for a rookie with limited experience in the minor leagues.

Connor Phillips – RP

Connor Phillips is a lesser-known prospect in comparison to the ones listed above, but he’s the number 15 overall prospect in the Reds system nonetheless. The right-hander has made a few appearances in the big leagues this season, allowing four earned runs in five innings over four appearances out of the bullpen.

The 24-year-old Phillips’ 98.0 MPH fastball is his strong suit, but it has unfortunately not benefited him against his MLB peers so far. In 2023, Phillips made five starts for the Reds. Unfortunately, he pitched to the tune of a 6.97 ERA in 20 2/3 innings.

Safe to say that Phillips has not found much success in the big leagues so far, but he will undoubtedly receive another chance, either this season or in the future. With how volatile bullpen arms can be, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Phillips back on the big league roster, hoping the talented righty catches fire en route to a Reds postseason berth.

 

Main Photo Credit: © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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