Cincinnati Enquirer-Imagn Images

What to Expect from Reds Pitcher Chase Petty

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 5:58 PM ET

During the second game of the Reds’ doubleheader on April 30, Chase Petty will make his MLB debut. The 22-year-old will make his first MLB start almost four years after he was drafted, a journey that started in Minnesota.

A Look at Petty

New Jersey’s produced several former first-round picks over the last decade. Chase Petty, picked by the Twins in 2021, joined that list when Minnesota picked the Camden native with the 26th overall pick.

Petty didn’t last in the Twins organization for long, though, as he was flipped to the Reds months later to get Sonny Gray in March 2022. Gray proved to be an extremely valuable arm for the Twins. Petty, meanwhile, has steadily worked his way through the Reds’ farm.

He struck out 96 over 98.1 IP in 2022, as the Reds heavily watched his innings. He got mostly the same treatment in 2023, a year that saw Petty only throw 68 innings. He pitched excellent, though, as he owned a 1.72 ERA and didn’t allow a home run.

Over the last two seasons, though, Petty’s BB/9 has flirted in the 4.0 range. However, he pitched well overall in Triple-A, as Petty struck out 27 over 23 innings with Louisville (AAA) before the promotion.

Chase Petty Pitch Movement 2025 Via New Baseball Media

Despite the K/9 above 9.0 in Triple-A, Petty isn’t a big strikeout pitcher. Although, he does have weapons to beat hitters on a regular basis. The name of his game is movement, as Petty can blow hitters by with either a four-seamer or two-seamer that can hit as high as 98 MPH. The Reds righty can use his stuff in several ways, either to backdoor hitters with running action, or set up his high-80s changeup.

Additionally, Petty has two breaking balls, a harder slider that sits in the high-80s, and a low-to-mid-80s with more breaking action away from right-handed hitters.

But as noted earlier, walks will be something to watch for Petty. Opposing teams have taken more pitches against Petty in the upper Minors. And in Spring Training as a non-roster invite, Petty walked six over 10 innings.

The Reds will have Chase Petty start on April 30 during the team’s doubleheader.

Analysis

Since Petty’s coming up to pitch during a doubleheader, it’s likely the right-hander will not be sticking around in the short-term. However, Petty is a key piece for the Reds’ future.

One, the Reds have gone through a lot of pitching over the last two years thanks to injuries. That caused the Reds to have 10 pitchers make five or more starts for the team last season, and nine in 2023.

And most recently, the Reds have Rhett Lowder & Brandon Williamson on the IL, not to mention depth arm Carson Spiers.

That doesn’t mean Cincinnati will be struck with more injuries. But, if the last two years are any indication, having depth matters. Petty, who’s been steadily working his way up to the Majors, could be important should the Reds deal with any more significant problems.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: