Reds Promote Pitching Prospect Daniel Corcino, Send David Holmberg to Triple-A

Aug 21, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher

(36) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds have promoted former top prospect right-hander Daniel Corcino to the major league club, optioning rookie lefty David Holmberg to Triple-A Louisville, according to Trent Rosencrans of Cincinnati.com

Corcino, 23, was considered a top 100 prospect (#94) by Baseball America as February of 2013, following a 2012 campaign in which he posted a 3.01 ERA in 26 starts for Double-A Pensacola. A devastating 7-14 2013 season in Louisville followed and as his walk rate rose (to 5.1 per nine innings) his stock dropped precipitously. Returning to Pensacola, the Dominican native has had a minor bounce back 2014, pitching to a 4.13 ERA, though his peripherals leave a lot to be desired and his FIP is an ugly 4.84.  Since July 10, though, he has struck out nearly a batter per inning and pitched to a 3.17 ERA.

A starter for most of his career, Corcino will pitch out of the Reds bullpen. His spotty command won’t be as big of an issue there while his fastball will push into the mid-90’s and his slider, which flashes plus, should be an asset.

Holmberg, a 23 year old left-hander the Reds promoted on Thursday, will see his 2014 major league tenure just as quickly as it began. Cincinnati’s 10th best prospect was known for his command in the minor leagues, but he walked four batters over just 2.2 innings in a Thursday night loss to Atlanta, allowing six earned runs. He was scarcely better in his one other major league start this season, a July 8th outing in which he got beat up for five earned runs over same number of innings.

The Reds acquired Holmberg from Arizona last December, in the three team trade that sent veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan to Tampa Bay. Though both his major league and triple-A numbers leave a lot to be desired this year,  expect to see him in a major league uniform again come September 1st.