The Reds announced Tuesday that they’ve signed right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training.
Bedrosian, 29, becomes the latest non-roster addition for a Reds club that has largely sat out the market for Major League free agents. The longtime Angels righty was non-tendered earlier this winter as he entered his final year of arbitration eligiblity.
Bedrosian, whose father Steve saved 184 games in a 14-year MLB career, looked like he might be prepared to go down a similar path not long ago. The former No. 29 overall pick notched a 1.12 ERA with a 31.5 percent strikeout rate in 40 1/3 innings back in 2016 and saved six games for the Halos a year later.
From 2016-20, Bedrosian totaled 225 innings with a 3.20 ERA and a 3.74 SIERA — including a solid 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 frames in 2020. However, while that ERA looked to be one of the righty’s strongest marks yet, there were some underlying causes for concern. Bedrosian’s strikeout rate fell to a career-low 19.0 percent — a good ways south of the league average — while his 10.3 percent walk rate was his highest since 2015.
Bedrosian’s average fastball, meanwhile dipped to a career-low 92.3 mph, which is a full three miles per hour slower than that peak 2016 campaign; his velocity has ticked downward steadily each year since that ’16 campaign. For a pitcher who has recently spent time on the IL due to forearm and adductor strains, that trend was surely a cause for some concern.
All that said, adding Bedrosian is a perfectly sensible move for the Reds — particularly on a no-risk, non-guaranteed deal of the minor league variety. If his velocity rebounds in camp or he looks able to miss bats at his previous levels with slightly reduced heat, he’d make a fine addition to a relatively unsettled bullpen mix. Bedrosian has a track record of success in the Majors, a fair bit of late-inning experience (nine saves, 44 holds) and has yet to turn 30. He’ll join Shane Carle, Josh Osich, Brandon Finnegan, Jesse Biddle and R.J. Alaniz as non-roster bullpen options invited to Spring Training.
I wanted the Phillies to bring him in.
Me too. I don’t know how DD did not sign him. Bedrosian would make any bullpen better.
No, no he wouldnt.
The number suggest otherwise kellin. If he can stay healthy, he’s an effective pitcher.
Why not? Explain to us?
As an Angels fan, I watched him, he was painful to watch at times. He was supposed to be the closer, and it just never worked in his favor. He blew far more saves than he actually saved.
You are right that as a closer in L.A he had a lot of opportunities to be a good closer, although he also had injuries. He could still be a good reliever, if he cannot take closer role.
Enjoy Rraisel iglesias. Bedrosian sounds just like Iglesias lol
Actually, no. Iglesias sounds like a step up. Bedrosian has 9 saves vs 22 save opportunities.. Iglesias has 106 vs 122.. and has a more than half a point lower ERA.. And Iglesias has pitched like 140 more innings, and done it one year less than Bedrosian.
Iggy can make hitters look silly but he also goes through stretches where they make him look silly.
Francys01, why not???
Inherited runners scored….seemed like 100%
Take a chill pill.
Darn! Really wanted the Braves to bring him home to GA! Wonder why we didn’t. He’s solid enough.
Hmm. While not spectacular I figured he would at least land an MLB deal.
An absolute bud
If he can only pitch somewhat like his dad, he will be the Reds closer in no time. Go BedRock JR !
Angels gave him plenty of opportunity to be a closer. He just doesn’t have it.
Who knows maybe DJ can work his wizardry with him
Don’t hold your breath, they don’t call him, “Wham, Bam, thank you Cam!” for nothing.
Ahahahaha!
All RP are painful to watch at times. When he pitched he was effective but I believe his velocity was down last year. I thought the Angels would use the money they saved releasing arbitration eligible RPs gir RPs who could get batters out, I was wrong. All thing being equal, I’d take Cam ahead of at least half the pitchers In the Angels pen.
He’s a sinker ball pitcher in a small stadium. I hope it works out because I think he’s still got something in the tank.