R.J. Alaniz

Preferred first name is R.J....last name is pronounced ah-lah-NIECE ... Following the 2010 and 2011 seasons, his curveball was rated by Baseball America the best in the Astros' minor league system.

2019

Spent most of the season in Class AAA, where in 35 relief apps for Tacoma and Louisville he went 3-3, 4.02 with 6 saves in 10 chances (40.1ip, 43h, 18bb, 54k, 4hr)... Began the season at Tacoma...on 5/31 was claimed off waivers from the Mariners and was optioned to Louisville, where he pitched until his 8/17 promotion to the Reds... From 4/12-4/21 made his Major League debut with 4 relief apps for Sea... From 8/17-9/28 made all 8 of his apps for the Reds... Threw scoreless 11th and 12th innings in the 4-2 win on 9/28 at Pit....recorded his first Major League victory and in his first plate appearance since high school produced an RBI-single off Alex McRae that gave the Reds their 4-2 lead...became the first Reds pitcher to produce a hit in his first career plate appearance since Josh Smith singled off Jeff Locke on 6/23/15 at Pit...became the first Reds pitcher with his first win and his first hit in the same game since Jon Moscot singled in a 5-2 win on 6/10/15 vs Phi... Threw more than 1.0 inning in 5 of his last 6 apps...including his stint with the Mariners, 4 times threw at least 2.0 innings, including a season-high 2.2 IP on 8/31/day at StL... For the Reds, retired the first batter in all 8 of his relief apps and stranded 4 of 6 inherited runners... From 4/25-5/2 was on Tacoma's injured list with a right triceps strain... On 12/9 cleared waivers and was outrighted to Louisville... On 1/10/20 was invited to Major League spring training camp.

2018

The Totals - Went 3-4 with 4 saves and a 3.38 ERA (16 ER, 42.2 IP) with 53 strikeouts and 16 walks in 31 relief appearances across 4 levels of the Rays minor league system...DL Stints - On the disabled list April 18-May 18 (right calf strain) and May 31-June 21 (left calf strain)…made rehab appearances with GCL Rays (6/19) and High-A Charlotte (6/21)... On the Move - Began the year with Double-A Montgomery, where he made 9 appearances before landing on the disabled list…after returning from second DL stint, joined Triple-A Durham and recorded 35 strikeouts and only 8 walks in 27.0 innings across 20 outings.

2017

Combined to go 3-3 with a 3.20 ERA (70.1-IP, 25-ER) in 43 apps (5 starts)…split the season between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo for a second consecutive year…averaged a careerhigh 9.73 SO/9 IP…made 20 apps for the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League …pitched for Caracas for a third straight year.