Tony Santillan is the Unsung Hero of the Reds Bullpen

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mason H. Smoller | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 2:09 PM ET

As the Cincinnati Reds approach 20 games played, the team's 9-10 record has them in the middle of the pack in the National League. The team's offense has slowly picked up, and while the bullpen has been overworked of late , it remains one of the best in baseball. A major part of that success comes from the development of 28-year-old reliever Tony Santillan.

The former Reds 2nd round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, Santillan is a righty who lives off of his 4-seam fastball and slider. Across 11 appearances, which leads all MLB relievers, Santillan owns a 1.59 earned run average in 11.1 total innings. He may not be striking batters out as much as he used to, but Santillan is off to a career year in hits and walks allowed per nine innings. Simply put, it has been difficult to get on base in 2025 when facing off against Tony Santillan.

The success comes as no surprise, as he has flashed his potential in the years passed. When he made his debut in 2021, Santillan finished with a 2.91 ERA in 26 games played, including four starts, on his way to a 1.4 WAR. The same goes for 2024, where Santillan played a career-high 29 games with a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings.

While his stints in the majors have not been long to date, it is also worth considering that this is the most healthy Santillan has been since coming to the majors. In 2022, he missed the majority of the season as a result of a back injury. Then, due to lingering back and hamstring issues, Santillan missed three months of the 2023 season. That being said, it is easy to understand why he struggled during his sophomore season and barely made progress during a washed 2023 campaign.

Now with a full season behind him in 2024, Santillan is turning it up a notch in 2025. In utilizing more of his four-seam fastball and pitching at a lower arm angle, the Texas native has provided a lockdown option for the eighth inning. Under contract until 2029, the Reds appear to have unlocked another gem out of their bullpen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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