Prospects Davis, Garrett make Reds' rotation

March 29th, 2017

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- One day before breaking camp and heading to Cincinnati, the Reds made what will likely be their final 25-man roster decisions. However the team that faces the Phillies Monday on Opening Day could change quickly.
In the meantime, prospects and earned the third and fourth spots in the rotation, respectively. is technically listed as the fifth starter until is ready to be added, which won't happen before rosters are officially set on Sunday.
"Cody Reed is going to start the season in the bullpen, but we have him slated for a start as well," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We're going to see how everything shakes out with Bronson before we make any other decisions in regards to the rotation."

Davis, 23, was viewed as a long shot to make the rotation when camp opened because he had just five games of Triple-A experience last season -- a year in which he was often injured while in Double-A. MLBPipeline.com ranks him as the Reds' No. 17 prospect.
"We thought, from a maturity standpoint, he could handle making the jump to the big leagues," Price said.
Garrett, ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Reds' No. 2 prospect, also had a strong camp until his final start.
"He's unbelievably aggressive and poised, and he never stops coming at you. And that made a big difference," Price said.
and are the top two starters in the rotation. Two other rotation contenders -- and -- were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Right-hander will begin the season as a member of the eight-man bullpen.

Joining Stephenson in the bullpen were right-hander and left-hander . Also in the bullpen are , , , and Tony Cingrani.
Two non-roster relievers -- lefty and right-hander Louis Coleman -- were also reassigned to the Minor Leagues.
Catcher Rob Brantly was reassigned to the Minor Leagues. Rule 5 Draft pick will open the season as the backup to until is ready to return from the right hip and left shoulder surgeries he underwent last year.
"You take him if you think he can stay and stick in the big leagues," Reds general manager Dick Williams said. "He made a lot of progress. We feel very comfortable opening the season with him as one of the two catchers. Devin has a little ways to go."

The rest of the Reds bench will have , and Scooter Gennett, who was claimed off waivers on Tuesday from the Brewers. His pickup cost , who was cut. Also sent to Minor League camp were infielders , and outfielder .
Williams felt that the final roster decisions were hard.
"They were difficult in a good way," Williams said. "Guys came in and competed and a bunch of those guys that got optioned out really represented themselves well, played well.
"Of that group of young pitchers, I don't think anybody should expect to see those guys lined up that particular way for very long. Romano is in the Minors right now. He is going to pitch in the big leagues. Those guys that are in the big leagues, they will have time in Triple-A. It's very possible that any of those guys could appear for a certain period of time in the Major League bullpen. There's a lot of ways you can get these guys experience, a lot of ways to manage their innings. I would not read into this Opening Day setup as some permanent pref-list or ranking.'"