Fansided · Jul 31, 2025
Reds make surprising late-night trade that could quietly reshape starting rotation
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Littell | Ellen Schmidt/GettyImagesThe Cincinnati Reds added Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hays to help shore up the team defense, and then picked up Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Littell to help bolster the starting rotation. The Reds are preparing for what they hope to be a playoff run during the second-half of the season.
Littell is an innings-eater who will bring a great deal of command and control to the Reds' starting rotation. The right-hander maintains a sparkling 3.3% walk rate and is among the 85th percentile in chase rate. Littlel has a five-pitch mix that includes a slider, splitter, and a sinker.