The Cincinnati Reds have called up right-handed reliever R.J. Alaniz and have optioned Matt Bowman to Triple-A Louisville. For Alaniz, this will be his second stint in the Major Leagues this year (and for his career).
When the season began, R.J. Alaniz was pitching for the Seattle Mariners organization in Triple-A Tacoma. But by the second week of the season he was in Seattle. Things didn’t go well for the then 27-year-old pitcher. In his Major League debut against the Houston Astros he allowed four earned runs in 2.0 innings. He returned a few days later and recorded two outs against Cleveland without giving up a run. But on April 18th and 21st he faced the Angels, who touched him up for a combined five earned runs in just 1.1 innings. In his four appearances he allowed three home runs, walked three batters, and he struck out six.
The Mariners sent him back to Triple-A Tacoma after that, and it’s where he stayed until he was placed on waivers at the end of May and selected by the Reds. He struggled in Tacoma, posting a 6.39 ERA in 12.2 innings. However, he struck out 23 batters in that span – showing some semblance of dominance wrapped around some home run and BABIP issues.
With Louisville, where he’s been since joining the Reds organization on May 31st, he’s been a different pitcher. R.J. Alaniz has pitched in 25 games for the Louisville Bats and posted a 2.93 ERA. Over his 27.2 innings he’s allowed just one home run, walked 11 batters (1 intentional), and he’s struck out 31.
Quick RJ Alaniz Scouting Report
He’s a fastball/slider guy. Both pitches are hard. His fastball will work 93-96 and occasionally he’ll touch 97 with the pitch. His slider works in the mid-to-upper 80’s, topping out around 89 MPH. Alaniz got ground balls at a higher rate once he joined the Reds, though was still roughly league average in this area. His control is fringy at times.
He has rather big platoon splits. He’s walked twice as many lefties as he’s struck out with Louisville, and they’ve also hit him around quite a bit. He’s dominated right-handed hitters, though, with 28 strikeouts in 18.1 innings against them and just a .182 average.