In MLB.com’s most recent mock draft, the Cincinnati Reds appear to be sticking with a familiar strategy. Each of their last three first-round selections — including those in the Competitive Balance Round — has been a college right-handed pitcher.
So, why change now? If they select Oklahoma junior Kyson Witherspoon with the ninth overall pick in 2025, the Reds might be building one of the league’s most formidable future pitching staffs.
Witherspoon features a lively fastball and struck out 124 batters over 95 innings this season. He also made notable progress with his control in his second year at Oklahoma, reducing his walks per nine innings from 4.50 to 2.18.
At just 20 years old, Witherspoon still has room to grow physically and potentially boost his fastball velocity even further — it already averages 97 mph. Adding him to a Reds farm system already rich in power arms could elevate Cincinnati’s rotation from promising to intimidating.
If the Reds select Oklahoma pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, the future rotation will be stacked
Witherspoon might follow a trajectory similar to college arms Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns, potentially reaching the majors by late 2026 or early 2027—assuming he stays healthy. By then, the Reds could be rolling out a fearsome rotation featuring Hunter Greene’s triple-digit heat, Burns’ devastating slider, and Lowder’s elite command.
Left-handers like Nick Lodolo or Andrew Abbott would offer a balanced mix, while Witherspoon could find himself battling Chase Petty and Julian Aguiar for the fifth spot. That kind of rotation is what teams dream about.
If the Reds opt to draft Witherspoon—or perhaps Tennessee lefty Liam Doyle, another strong candidate on their radar—their already-deep pool of pitching talent would grow even stronger.
The Reds currently boast three right-handed pitchers ranked in Baseball America’s Top 100, a feat no other organization can match. Witherspoon, even more than Doyle, has the tools to join that elite group.
Of course, only five or six spots exist in a rotation, so difficult roster choices lie ahead. But stockpiling high-end pitching isn’t just about building a dominant rotation—it also gives the Reds valuable assets for future trades. If Cincinnati finds itself in playoff contention this July, Witherspoon could end up being part of a package to replenish a farm system thinned by trade activity.
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