Reds sign Bo Takahashi to minors deal with spring training invite

The Cincinnati Reds have signed right-handed starting pitcher Bo Takahashi to a minor league deal for the 2021 season and extended him an invitation to spring training with the big league club.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Bo Takahashi out of Brazil right before Christmas in 2013 as an international free agent as a 16-year-old. He’s worked his way up to the Major Leagues, though he only spent two days there and never entered a game. He’s thrown at the Double-A level, pitching for Jackson in the Arizona organization in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. His second go around, when he made 23 starts as a 22-year-old for Jackson saw him post a 3.72 ERA in 118.2 innings. Takahashi picked up 104 strikeouts with just 38 walks while posting a 1.23 WHIP during the season.

Bo Takahashi has been on the Arizona 40-man roster, but he was outrighted following the 2020 season and elected free agency. The right-handed pitcher was on the 40-man roster during 2020, but he wasn’t at the alternate site this year. When Arizona announced their initial 60-man player pool Takahashi was stuck in Brazil and unable to travel to the United States. He never did make it to the US in time to participate.

Bo Takahashi Scouting Report

Born: January 23, 1997

Height: 6′ 0″ | Weight: 225 lbs.

Bats: Right | Throws: Right

Fastball: The pitch works in the 88-92 MPH range and will touch a little higher at times. He’s never pitched in the big leagues, but he has pitched in the Arizona Fall League (2018) and in spring training (2019) and there’s been a little bit of recorded data showing an average fastball velocity of 91 (2018 – AFL) and 92 MPH (2019 ST), while topping out at 94 MPH. The sample size is small, but we also know it’s reliable, accurate information.

Change Up: A pitch that works in the mid-80s.

Slider: Works in the low-to-mid 80’s.

Curveball: Works in the mid-to-upper 70’s.

His fastball has a little bit of cutting action to it. He knows how to mix his stuff well, but none of his pitches really stand out, either. All four offerings are solid, though. For his career, he’s thrown plenty of strikes and he’s missed bats at a good clip.

Career Stats

Prospect Rankings

He’s never been ranked among the Arizona Top 30 prospects by Baseball America. He also never cracked the Fangraphs Top 30 list for the Diamondbacks.

Options

While he is signed to a minor league deal for 2021, if he’s called up to the Major Leagues he will have one option year remaining. He was optioned by Arizona in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.