Reds Acquire Pitching Prospect From Mariners

When the Cincinnati Reds continued to clean house recently by shipping All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker and veteran third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners, the Reds ensured fans that the "player to be named later" would be a 'notable' piece.

Reds general manager Nick Krall said it would be "a player we like" and "not just a throw-in."

That piece has now been announced as right-hander Connor Phillips, who was indeed one of the top players in the Mariners' system. Phillips was a 2nd-round pick by the M's in the 2020 Draft, and struck out 111 in just 76 innings pitched in stops across low- and high-A last season. That's an impressive strikeout rate of 32.6%.

Connor Phillips has been described as the most high-risk, high-upside arm in the Mariners’ farm system … high walk rates, but his stuff really lights up their Trackman models.

Here’s a three-pitch K from his live BP this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/JsBlwAHBTh
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) March 7, 2022

Reds wanted to add power arms to their farm system through their trades: LHP Brandon Williamson (struck out 37.4% of batters he faced in minors last year), RHP Connor Phillips (32.6%) and RHP Chase Petty (hardest-throwing prep arm in last year's draft).
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) March 29, 2022

Brandon Williamson, also obtained in the Winker trade, struck out an even better 37.4% of batters last season in the minors. As noted by Reds beat reporter Bobby Nightengale, they've accomplished their goals of adding power arms to the farm system.

MLB Pipeline has Phillips listed as the Mariners' No. 15 prospect.