With the Cincinnati Reds and their minor league teams wrapping up their seasons, fall and winter league baseball is just beginning. Currently, few minor leaguers are active outside the Arizona Fall League, as leagues in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico have started, but many won’t kick off until November. In Arizona, one of the Reds’ hardest-throwing relievers, Luis Mey, has made a strong start for the Glendale Desert Dogs, securing a save in each of his three appearances.
The 23-year-old right-handed reliever split the 2024 season between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, posting a 3.44 ERA over 55 innings with 63 strikeouts, and notably did not allow any home runs. However, control has been an ongoing issue; he walked 43 batters this season, though his walk rate improved in Double-A compared to High-A.
Mey is likely the hardest thrower in the Reds’ organization. Last year in Daytona, he recorded the 22 fastest pitches in the league and 33 of the 37 fastest overall. He peaked at 103.2 MPH and hit 102 MPH ten times during eight road games with pitch tracking.
### Bally Sports Transition to Fan Duel Sports Network
In Arizona, two of his three outings featured pitch tracking. While he didn’t quite reach 102 MPH, he came close, hitting 101.7 MPH with two pitches during 1.2 hitless innings for Glendale.
The Reds face a decision in about a month regarding adding Mey to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. This should be a straightforward choice.
Like fellow high-velocity pitcher Zach Maxwell, Mey will need to improve his consistency in throwing strikes. However, given his success in Double-A, he’s expected to be on the 40-man roster next year, and with some improvement, he could see time with the big league club in 2025.
In other news, Bally Sports will be rebranded as Fan Duel Sports Network. Although Bally Sports was named after a casino and sportsbook, its ongoing bankruptcy has prompted the company to seek new revenue streams. While the status of broadcasting Reds games in 2025 remains uncertain, if they do air, it will be on Fan Duel Sports Network, which has acquired the naming rights. This change reflects the increasing presence of sports betting in the broadcasting landscape.
