What To Expect: Alex Reyes

From the moment Alex Reyes was removed from a July 26 start after just three innings, the buzz has been building that baseball’s No. 2 prospect would soon make his major league debut. That time has come. Reyes was called up Aug. 9 when Michael Wacha was placed on the disabled list.

Following Reyes’ 50-game suspension after he tested positive for marijuana, the Cardinals had hoped to use 2016 to build up Reyes’ innings for a full-time, big league role in 2017. As recently as last month, team officials were pumping the brakes on a big league callup, even in the face of an impressive Futures Game appearance.

He’ll be used out of the bullpen starting tonight, he told reporters.

SCOUTING REPORT

Reyes came back showing little rust from his suspension, thanks largely to the Cardinals having him work in his work in extended spring training. He reported to Triple-A Memphis in late May, and in his most recent start, Reyes threw six quality innings against Omaha, striking out eight and walking two while allowing only one run. It lowered his ERA back below 5.00; he’s 2-3, 4.96 in 65 innings, thanks mostly to 32 walks. But with 93 strikeouts, he’s averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings, and ranks ninth in the league in strikeouts despite the time he missed.

He’s been more efficient, pitch-wise, of late, and in his most recent start threw 64 percent strikes. Cardinals officials have said pitch efficiency would be among the deciding factors for when Reyes would be ready.

“Look at how well he did commanding the strike zone,” manager Mike Matheny told BA correspondent Derrick Goold after a 57-pitch outing July 26, when Reyes threw 40 strikes. “He gave up a two-run homer and that was really the damage. If his stuff is in the zone he should have success . . . He’s getting strikeouts, so we know he has got everything he needs right now. It’s a matter of efficiency. That’s part of the process. If you can blow 100 past everyone, you’re going to blow it past them.”

The raw stuff is not in question for the New Jersey-born righthander. The fastball hit 100 mph in the Futures Game and he’s consistently in the high 90s. The curveball has 12-to-6 shape and flashes plus, and the changeup is gaining in consistency.

WHAT TO EXPECT

As careful as the Cardinals want to be with Reyes, they are also intrigued by what he can do to aid their run for the postseason. Of course, they also have tons of positive experience with promoting high-profile prospect starters and putting them in the bullpen, as they did with Carlos Martinez, Trevor Rosenthal and, famously, Adam Wainwright during their 2006 World Series championship run.

If Reyes pitches well and shows an ability to be efficient, he could make a case for sticking around the rest of the season. For fantasy purposes, even if he doesn’t stick this time, grab and hold him.