Former Pirates top prospect lands back in NL Central after waiver claim

Roansy Contreras, a former top-100 prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has latched on with one of their National League Central division rivals.

The Cincinnati Reds claimed Contreras off waivers Thursday from the Texas Rangers, who had recently designated him for assignment. The 25-year-old right-hander, whom the Pirates had originally acquired from the New York Yankees in a trade for Jameson Taillon back in 2021, ranked as high as No. 71 in MLB Pipeline's Top-100 prospects list in 2022.

Contreras made his major league debut with the Pirates in 2021 and went 9-12 over parts of four seasons with the organization. He had a 4.83 ERA over 53 appearances, including 30 starts. By 2022, he looked like he was well on his way to cementing a long-term place in the Pirates’ rotation, but a year later, he lost more than a mile per hour off his fastball and saw his ERA balloon up to 6.59 in 68 1/3 major league innings before he got bounced to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Contreras put up a rather forgettable performance in Triple-A, earning an ERA just under 5.00 in eight appearances (six starts) for Indianapolis. Pittsburgh traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for cash back in May, and the Rangers claimed him off waivers in October, only to DFA him less than two months later.

Former Pirates top prospect Roansy Contreras lands back in NL Central after waiver claim

After acquiring Brady Singer this offseason, the Reds appear to have a starting rotation of Singer, Nick Martinez, Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo. If Contreras lasts the rest of the offseason on the Reds’ 40-man roster, he will likely compete for a bullpen spot this spring. If he doesn't make Cincinnati's Opening Day roster, he will need to be designated for assignment once again, as he is out of minor-league options.

The Reds finished tied for second in the NL Central this past season, while the Pirates finished dead last. Both teams are supposedly looking to take steps forward in 2025 – but right now, the Reds seem to be the only ones taking that seriously.

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