On Monday we released the Cincinnati Reds spring training roster for the minor league side of camp out in Goodyear. In total there were 163 players listed – most who have been in the US before with the organization. But there were a few names that were missing from the list that some (including myself) had expected to see.
Perhaps the biggest name missing from the list was infielder Rylan Thomas. The 2018 26th round pick landed a $287,500 signing bonus out of Central Florida and posted an .892 OPS for the Greeneville Reds that same year. He showed off power – clubbing 22 extra-base hits in 55 games, and a good plate approach as he drew 41 walks with 49 strikeouts. But he missed almost all of the 2019 season with an injury. Thomas played in just seven games – all on a rehab stint – with the Arizona League Reds. The 22-year-old was released during the offseason.
Jose Lopez spent last spring training with both San Francisco and Cincinnati. On February 11th of last year the Reds needed a spot on the 40-man roster and placed Lopez on waivers. The Giants swooped in and picked up the right-handed pitcher. Towards the end of spring training they needed a spot on their 40-man roster and put the former Seton Hall standout on waivers, where the Reds put in a claim and picked him back up – sending him to Triple-A. That’s where he pitched until early June before he hit in the injured list after his long relief appearance. He would make two rehab appearances in Goodyear with the Arizona League Reds in late June, but headed back to the injured list after that and didn’t pitch again in 2019. He’s still working his way back on rehab.
In the comments section it was noted that reliever Wyatt Strahan was missing from the list. After pitching with Double-A Chattanooga last season in the Lookouts bullpen, the right-handed reliever chose to retire following the season.
Over at Redleg Nation this morning I took a look at Tejay Antone, who will be starting the first game of spring training on Saturday as the Reds play the road team in a match up in Goodyear against the Cleveland Indians. Given that you are reading this at RedsMinorLeagues.com you are probably a bit more familiar with Antone and his history than the crowd at Redleg Nation, but if you would like to give it a read and refresh yourself with information and some video highlights, feel free to check out the link.
What was Rylan Thomas’s injury? This is just speculation, but maybe the Reds just didn’t feel he was working hard enough on his rehab to get back on the field. I’m not blaming him, because rehab is not for the faint of heart.
He had a back injury last season.
Does that mean Rylan Thomas is out of the organization? If not, where would you expect to see him?
Yes, he’s no longer in the organization.
Fidel Castro was another missing from the list that was a bit surprising. Still just 21 and two solid seasons stateside makes his omission surprising. Any word on if maybe he is injured or there is another reason he isn’t on the list?
Maybe the Reds replaced him with his brother Raul. (ha ha) That’s what Cuba did.
Just me guessing here, since I forgot to ask about him – he’s going to be in extended spring training.
Put that 250k in the bank at 22 years old and go surfing.
To bad about Wyatt. When he was in Dayton the trio of Strahan, Antone, and Mahle were a powerful trio. Too bad injuries short circuited his career.
Seems like he had the guts to go out gracefully.