Reds’ Latest Pitching Addition Turns Heads With Dominant Triple-A Debut

He was signed last week.

Aug 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Kent Emanuel (74) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Cincinnati Reds signed pitcher Kent Emanuel from the Atlantic League on August 7. He made his team debut with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday and was lights out.

Emanuel Dominates In First Affiliate Start Since 2024

Mar 12, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Kent Emanuel (64) delivers a pitch during a spring training game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

The 34-year-old was pitching for the High Point Rockers in the Atlantic League this season prior to the Reds signing him. The team signed a former teammate of his in July, Ben Wereski, and he's the third Rocker to be signed by the Reds. Ben Leibrandt is the other. 

On Sunday, the left-hander threw six innings with one run, no walks, and nine strikeouts. With the Rockers this season, he was 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA. He won the Atlantic League Player of the Month Award for July, going 3-0. In 47 innings pitched this season, he had a batting average against of just .217. He walked just nine batters with 53 strikeouts. In his two seasons with High Point, he went 10-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 105 innings.

If the season continues to spiral, he may be an option to either start or be a long relief option with the team in September.

PED Suspension and Tommy John Surgery

June 1, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tarheels starting pitcher Kent Emanuel (41) delivers a pitch against the Towson Tigers during the Chapel Hill Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Emanuel was drafted in the 19th round in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and, after electing college, was drafted in the third round in 2013 by the Houston Astros. He played college ball at the University of North Carolina. He pitched in the minor leagues from 2013 through 2019 before making his big league debut in the 2021 season with the Astros. He served an 80-game suspension in 2020 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (DHCMT). The next season, he suffered an elbow injury shortly after making his Major League debut. This was his second Tommy John surgery; his first was in 2015.

In two big league seasons, Emanuel has pitched in 22 games, with a 4.58 ERA, 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, and a 1.21 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings with the Astros and Marlins.

At the University of North Carolina, he pitched in three seasons, starting 50 games. He went 19-9 with a 2.52 ERA, 78 walks, and 287 strikeouts. In 2013, he won the ACC Pitcher of the Year Award after leading North Carolina to the College World Series.

The Reds Have Been Active Signing Independent League Players

Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher, Steffon Moore at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls on June 12, 2019. Hudson Valley Renegades Preview | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Some notable players signed by the Reds this season include Emanuel, Ryan Garcia, Cameron Cotter, Ben Wereski, Marcus Smith, Steffon Moore, and Julio Carreras.

Garcia was an All-Star with the Kansas City Monarchs this season. He had the fourth-lowest ERA in the league with a 3.10 ERA. He was 8-4 with 65 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. His 1.06 WHIP was best in the league. Garcia is 28 years old and was drafted in the second round in 2019 by the Texas Rangers. He played at UCLA. He was teammates with Matt McLain and Michael Toglia.

The Reds travel to Chicago on Tuesday. After being swept by the Washington Nationals, they look to rebound against the first-place White Sox in an attempt to keep a playoff dream alive.