ST LOUIS, Va. — The most important thing you need to know about Alex Reyes is that he is only 24 years old. When it comes to a franchise's top pitching prospect, perspective can be lost when a few hurdles present themselves.
As the St. Louis Cardinals' young righthander finished off his 50th professional inning last summer in Milwaukee, hopes were high. After recovering from Tommy John surgery, Reyes was set up to be a midseason lightning rod. But on May 30, after finishing the fourth inning, he would never return to the mound in 2018.
A strain of Reyes' right Latissimus Dorsi-a large, flat muscle that stretches around the side of the torso-shut down his season. An injury that arose in his final rehab start was aggravated against the Brewers, bringing an end to the thrilling comeback trail that made a displeasing month of Cardinals play feasible.
Reyes struck out over 40 minor league batters during his comeback trail, and put down two Brewers before biting the dust. A disappointing end that will undoubtedly shape his 2019 and beyond trek. The biggest question for the Cardinals and their fans is wondering where Reyes fits into the team's plans. Before I tell you why he is best suited for bullpen duty, let me go over a few things.
First, he is going to be on the roster. If healthy, which with Reyes is more than a mere coin flip, he is a deadly weapon wherever he is placed. When you can snap a back-breaking changeup to go with a high octane fastball, the bats of Major League hitters will get a stomach ache upon reaching home plate. Yadier Molina pointing the finger down for Reyes is like turning on a blowtorch.
Second, it's important to point out that Reyes doesn't have to be ONE thing in 2019. He can be a versatile weapon for the Cardinals, a moving part of sorts. A thunderstorm that the team can unleash at any interval of play. Imagine throwing this kid into a tight game in the sixth or seventh inning just to bedevil a team. I can see it, and so will General Manager Michael Girsch.
Right now, the rotation looks stuffed with certainties and maybes. Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, and Carlos Martinez are sure things. Michael Wacha is in his third year of arbitration, but will reach some kind of agreement before spring training. Adam Wainwright has a bullpen friendly contract, but the team knows his best chance at effective contributing falls in the starting category. Austin Gomber, Daniel Poncedeleon, and even Dakota Hudson exist as starting depth.
According to MLB.com reporter, Jenifer Langosch, Andrew Miller, Jordan Hicks, Hudson, John Brebbia, Chasen Shreve, John Gant, Dominic Leone, and Brett Cecil could fill bullpen spots. She left Reyes off her 25-man roster prediction in her inbox this week, and there's credence to that due to Reyes' injury history.
However, again, if Reyes is set to go, and that's a big "if" right now, you put him into action. Since the rotation is stuffed, the best spot is the bullpen. If that means Cecil has to accept a trip to Memphis or be released, you do it. If Hudson has to polish his skills and learn to walk less batters down at Memphis, you do it. Reyes has skills that few in the organization has touch, so you don't waste much time.
The Cardinals have allured to the possibility of Reyes being a closer candidate this season, and that isn't a bad play. Hicks has closer stuff, but he's also a guy who has a problem with walks. You could form a killer trio with Miller, Hicks, and Reyes closing out ballgames. Throw Brebbia into that mix as well. The addition of Miller gives the team options, but doesn't hinder the status of Reyes. He could be a lightning rod this season, like a delayed freight train coming in just as hot.
He's started and relieved thus far for the Cardinals, so assigning a role isn't important in April. You see what you have, test his health, and mold his role as the season unfolds. When it comes to Reyes, there should be no rush.
It hasn't been an easy time. A few years ago, he was the organization's top prospect, the untouchable trade piece many teams inquired about, but were told wasn't for sale. Reyes got hit with a 50-game suspension in Nov. 2015, testing positive for marijuana for a second time. After a tease in the 2016 season, Reyes went down with Tommy John.
Four innings into his 2018 campaign, the right lat acted up. When he was once a 21-year-old phenom, Reyes now lurks as the man some people managed to forget existed. Once again, he's 24 years old and still possesses a unique set of skills.
Joe Schwarz of The Athletic took a hard look at Reyes' skills almost two years ago, highlighting his vast arsenal of weapons, including the four seam fastball, two seam fastball, changeup, slider, and curve. According to Schwarz, no current Cardinal pitcher at the time had a deeper repertoire of pitches than Reyes. He didn't lose that during the time spent healing from his wounds.
In his time away from the field, Reyes has slimmed up, gained the guidance of veteran pitchers, and watched his right arm get plenty of rest. It was just last May where he was lighting up the mph board in Memphis and wooing everyone around the St. Louis media world. National scribes started to take notice again ... and then the lat halted everything.
These days, Reyes is ready again, shooting to thrill. While Miller may be the high dollar offseason addition, Reyes lurks as the secret weapon that could transform the relief corps into a big time asset. To quote Frank Slade, he's just getting warmed up. Still only 24 years old. A raw arm that has been locked in a cage for too long. A menacing right-hander who could attack weary hitters during their third trip to the plate. Oh boy, I don't feel sorry for them.
Whether it's taking the ball in the first or in the eighth, Alex Reyes can be a force of nature for the Cardinals. While it's still hard to bet on, it's not too hard to believe in.
