The Cincinnati Reds have made a savvy move by acquiring Brian Van Belle from the Boston Red Sox, who shuffled their bullpen and made room for him on their 40-man roster before promptly making another deal that led to Van Belle becoming available. Van Belle, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher, brings a promising skillset to the Reds, particularly with his legitimate changeup and ability to efficiently soak up innings. Although he doesn’t overpower hitters or rack up high strikeout numbers, his arsenal bears similarities to that of Brady Singer, the Reds’ recent offseason acquisition. This likeness could make Van Belle a good fit for the team and allow him to learn from Singer.
After some early-career struggles, Van Belle’s arsenal finally clicked this season. He demonstrated significant improvement in controlling his pitches, walking just seven batters in 51 innings while also reducing the number of home runs he allows. These advancements make him an intriguing prospect for the Reds, who can plug him into various roles, whether as a bulk reliever in the bullpen or potentially even in spot starts.
Van Belle will likely start with Triple-A Louisville but could see time in the majors if injuries arise or the team makes further roster moves. With his changeup and similarities to Singer, Van Belle might become a valuable asset for the Reds in 2025 and beyond. The team could benefit from having him around, especially considering the recent signing of Wade Miley to address rotation concerns. Van Belle’s flexibility and potential make him a player worth keeping an eye on this season.
