Connor Phillips SP CIN Wed 2/28/24 8:52 AM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips walked one and struck out two over two hitless and scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips turned in a strong performance in his spring debut, following an equally impressive outing from starter Frankie Montas. Due to injuries in the Reds' rotation last season, the 22-year-old right-hander was forced to make his MLB debut earlier than expected. Cincinnati has a number of starter candidates in camp and may not be so reliant on its prospects in 2024. Phillips is expected to be part of the rotation at Triple-A Louisville.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Sun 9/24/23 2:25 AM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over five-plus innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips was staked to a 9-0 lead through three innings, and he looked to be in line for a relatively easy win when he left the game with an eight-run lead after giving up consecutive singles to begin the sixth. However, the Reds' bullpen allowed both of those baserunners to score and surrendered three additional runs in the frame, and the Pirates attacked for seven more runs over the seventh and eighth innings to storm back for the win. Despite that outcome, Phillips made a positive overall impression in the outing, racking up 13 whiffs and a career-high nine punchouts. He's posted a solid 26:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings on the campaign and lines up for one more regular-season start, which is tentatively slated to come in St. Louis next weekend.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Thu 9/21/23 5:35 PM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at Great American Ball Park.
EDGE Analysis
After striking out seven and limiting the Twins to two runs on three hits and one walk over seven innings in his most recent start Monday, Phillips looks like he'll stick in the Reds rotation over Ben Lively. With off days Thursday, Monday and next Thursday, the Reds look as though they'll be able to close out the regular season with a streamlined four-man rotation as they aim to chase down a wild-card spot. Assuming Phillips is able to hold his own in the matchup with the Pirates, he would line up for one final start the following weekend in St. Louis.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Mon 9/18/23 10:01 PM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips (1-0) earned his first career win Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 7-3 win against the Twins. He struck out seven.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips looked strong in his third career start, using 93 pitches to carve up the Twins over seven innings for the win. He struck out five different batters for his seven total punchouts. The only blemishes on his start were two solo shots yielded to Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff. Phillips has thrown to the tune of a 5.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over his first 15.2 innings.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Mon 9/18/23 12:49 PM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
The Reds selected Phillips' contract from Triple-A Louisville ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Twins.
EDGE Analysis
He'll be making his third start of September with the Reds after posting an 8.31 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 8.2 innings between his first two big-league outings. After Monday, the Reds will be able to get by with a four-man rotation for the rest of the season as they look to chase down a playoff spot, so Phillips could be a candidate to return to Triple-A immediately after the start.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Mon 9/18/23 10:15 AM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
The Reds plan to call up Phillips from Triple-A Louisville to start Monday's game against the Twins, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though Phillips was sent back to Louisville on Thursday, he'll be eligible to return to the Reds without spending the minimum 15 days in the minors because he had initially joined Cincinnati earlier this month as a replacement for a player placed on the COVID-19-related injured list. The Reds have four other healthy starting pitchers and three more off days over the final two weeks of the season, so Phillips may just be making a spot start Monday if manager David Bell chooses to get by with a four-man rotation the rest of the way. Phillips has been one of the Reds' top pitchers in the upper levels of the minors this season but labored in his first two big-league starts, striking out 10 over 8.2 innings while allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and six walks.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Thu 9/14/23 10:28 AM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips was returned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips made two spot starts during his time with the Reds, striking out 10 over 8.2 innings but giving up eight earned runs on 10 hits and six walks. Because he was up with the Reds as a replacement for one of their pitchers that recently landed on the COVID-19-related injured list, the rookie right-hander can rejoin the big club at any time. He'll be a candidate to draw another start next week while the Reds are still without a fifth member of the rotation with Graham Ashcraft (toe) on the 15-day IL.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Mon 9/11/23 11:43 AM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips will make his second start for the Reds on Wednesday in Detroit, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though Andrew Abbott is on turn to start Wednesday, the Reds will give the rookie southpaw at least one additional day of rest amid his recent struggles. As a result, Phillips will be called upon to make his second big-league start despite struggling in his debut outing against the Mariners last week, when he allowed five runs over 4.2 innings. Phillips' time in the Cincinnati rotation could come to an end when Ben Lively (illness) likely returns from the COVID-19-related injured list later in the week.
Connor Phillips SP CIN Tue 9/5/23 11:33 PM
Connor Phillips
SP CIN
Phillips did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Mariners. He struck out seven.
EDGE Analysis
The 22-year-old served up a two-run homer to Teoscar Hernandez in the first inning and a three-run blast to Julio Rodriguez in the fifth. Despite exiting the game with a 5-1 deficit, Phillips was able to avoid taking a loss in his big-league debut thanks to Cincinnati's late rally. It remains to be seen whether the right-handed rookie will draw another start for the Reds while 60 percent of their starting rotation is currently on the COVID-19 injured list.