Reds' Mahle to make MLB debut versus Pirates (Aug 27, 2017)
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds are building around a stockpile of young pitchers and right-hander Tyler Mahle, who has advanced quickly through the Reds' system with little drop-off from level to the next, is set to make his much-anticipated major league debut Sunday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mahle owns a 2.06 ERA in 24 starts at Double-A and Triple-A this season. He threw a no-hitter for Class-A Daytona last season and a perfect game for Double-A Pensacola in April. Mahle began the 2017 season rated the 12th-best prospect in the organization by Baseball America, but now is viewed among the best two or three.
"He commands his fastball and throws a lot of strikes," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He's athletic. He has a good feel for pitching. Really dominated the Double-A level. He didn't skip a beat going from Double-A to Triple-A. A lot of guys make that advance and want to test the waters a little bit. He went right after the hitters."
Through 10 starts for Triple-A Louisville, Mahle's ERA is 2.73. He has 51 strikeouts and 13 walks over 59 1/3 innings.
With Homer Bailey's scheduled start Sunday pushed back a couple days while he recovers from shoulder irritation, an opportunity was there to get Mahle on a big-league mound.
"Front office staff thought it was a good idea to get him up here and get his feet wet at the big-league level," Price said. "It's a chance for us to see him with our own eyes before we head to spring training."
When Mahle peers into the catcher on Sunday, he'll see a familiar face. Chad Wallach also is making his big-league debut. Wallach caught Mahle several times in the minors and in spring training.
"We've worked together a decent amount," Wallach said. "He's just such a good strike thrower. He's always been that. His fastball is his go-to pitch. His off-speed stuff just keeps getting better, too."
Wallach's father, Tim, spent 17 seasons in the major leagues including 13 with the Montreal Expos as primarily a third baseman. Tim Wallach, the Miami Marlins' bench coach, is expected to attend his son's debut.
Mahle will be the 10th Reds pitcher to make his major league debut this season. Over the past three seasons, rookie pitchers have started 49 percent of the Reds' 453 games, including a club record 110 games in 2015.
Pittsburgh (62-68) will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.85 ERA). The 25-year-old was on the disabled list from May 8 to June 12 and underwent testicular cancer surgery. He has gone 2-3 with an 8.24 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. Taillon is 1-2 with a 7.01 ERA in five career starts versus Cincinnati.
The Reds (55-75) are 9-3 this season versus Pittsburgh, which has dropped 10 of its last 14 games. The Pirates are two games into a stretch of 28 straight contests against National League Central opponents.
