The Reds have selected the contract of right-hander Joel Kuhnel from Triple-A Louisville, and also called up righty Matt Bowman from their top affiliate, the club announced (Twitter link). Kuhnel and Bowman will take the roster spots of righty Sal Romano, who was optioned to Louisville, and Jared Hughes, who was claimed off waivers by the Phillies.
This will be the 24-year-old Kuhnel’s first taste of the big leagues, coming a little over three years after being the Reds’ 11th-round pick in the 2016 draft. Kuhnel pitched in both Double-A and Triple-A for the first time in 2019, quickly moving up the ladder thanks to a combined 2.18 ERA, 8.4 K/9, and 3.13 K/BB rate over 53 2/3 relief innings. MLB.com ranks Kuhnel as the 24th-best prospect in Cincinnati’s farm system, noting that “his fastball touches triple-digits with ease and he mixes in an 89-93 mph slider and a low-90s changeup.”
Who
Joel Kuhnel. Says in the headline. I’m 2000 miles away from Cincinnati and I’ve heard about this guy.
He’s been very good this year
Uugh.. someone that should have been called up like months ago. And we know bowman can pitch.. not that he’s perfect but better then some other guys we have. Glad to see Kuhnel get the opportunity he deserved.
Why I’m the heck they leave Hughes go! Castellini needs to reorganize the front offices by getting all the Williams brothers including Dick out of here and then go after the Bells! Hughes was one of the Reds reliable relievers! Castellini clear house!!!
Because he has not been an effective major league pitcher?
Because he is 34 y/o, his Ks are down, BB are up, his ERA is 4.10 ERA and there are younger, more cost effective pitchers in AAA that are ready for the big leagues?
He’s a free agent after the season and the Reds are auditioning relievers for next season. They screwed up by not moving him at the deadline. He’s a good guy, I hope he does well in Philly!
Sorry! Hughes will not be a FA there’s a 3m team option next year.
He would have be a free agent this off season after the Teds bought out his option.
BigRedsFan cool your jets man it’s not like we’re Baltimore, things are looking up like back in ’09-’10
Because someone will take his salary and save the Reds from overpaying for an old, average pitcher. Did that really need an explanation?
Maybe last year he was good… But this season hes been pretty terrible…
Two thumbs up on both moves. Only regret is that Hughes will be missed in the clubhouse.
Glad to see Kuhnel get a shot, he’s been killing it in the minors this season.
How can Kuhnel only be the 24th best prospect for the Reds? He has been lights out this year. Must be one hell of a farm system!
Pitchers that are exclusively relievers aren’t typically ranked very high
Excellent moves by the FO.
Agreed…
The Front Office finally figured out what the fan base knew since May. This is not a playoff team. There’s plenty of potential for next season. They have the best rotation in the division and a good offense. The Front Office needs to be cleaned out. They have a former investment banker with no baseball experience running the team. His father and uncle are shareholders in the Reds. Bob Castellini needs to bring in some real Baseball people and let them do their jobs without inserting himself into the equation.
The front office arw the guys that put this team together, And it was a hell of a lot better season this year then several of the past. They have done an excellent job of bringing in key players who have performed well, give em a break…
I think Joel Kuhnel is going to be a very good pitcher for years to come. Conversely, why is Matt Bowman being called up? He’s terrible in MiLB.