Earlier this week the Cincinnati Reds designated pitcher Riley O’Brien for assignment as they needed to create a roster spot for Nick Lodolo so he could make his Major League debut. The Seattle Mariners liked what they saw enough from O’Brien and decided to make a trade for the righty. The Mariners will send the Reds a player to be named later or their old friend cash (not be confused with a player named cash).
Cincinnati acquired Riley O’Brien late in 2020 from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade for Cody Reed. Last season he made 23 appearances for Triple-A Louisville, posting a 4.55 ERA in 112.2 innings to go along with 121 strikeouts and 55 walks. He also made one appearance with the Reds, making a start and giving up two runs in 1.1 innings. This season he only made one appearance for Louisville, throwing 3.0 innings out of the bullpen and allowing two runs.
Now O’Brien is heading to his third organization since being an 8th round pick out of the College of Idaho back in 2017. Fun fact – he’s the only player from the school to reach the big leagues (10 total have played affiliated baseball – Zack Draper is also active and also in Triple-A in the Guardians organization). Update: The fun fact above is both true and not true. The College of Idaho once changed it’s name to Albertson College before changing it back many years later to The College of Idaho. While it was Albertson College it had several big leaguers – most notably Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew.
Is Cody Reed on a major league roster?
He’s with the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay AAA) but hasn’t pitched yet this year due to injury.
In return maybe the Reds will receive Cash Case or a case of cash.
I’m a College of Idaho grad. The fact about only player to reach big leagues is incorrect. A CofI pitcher was on the Cardinals.
Since Harmon Killibrew played for the Washington Senators at age 18 can’t imagine he played baseball in college. Maybe he just attended a class or two later.
Trading an injured Dunn back might have been a better option ?