Cincinnati Reds: Vladimir Gutierrez to open Cactus League play

The Cincinnati Reds are giving one of their top prospects the ball to open Cactus League play.

Cuban righty Vladimir Gutierrez will be the first ace that David Bell throws on the table as the Cincinnati Reds begin their Cactus League schedule.

Bob Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer via his Twitter account confirmed that Gutiérrez would be Saturday’s starter against the Cleveland Indians for the Cincinnati Reds to open up Spring Training.

Although he will be in camp as a non-roster invitee, the team has high expectations for their fourth ranked prospect this Spring.

Gutiérrez comes off a winter where he pitched with the Licey Tigers of the Dominican Winter League and faired pretty well posting a 3.21 earned run average during his time in Santo Domingo.

Gutiérrez, who was the Rookie of the Year in the Cuban League in 2013 at the age of 17, signed with the Reds in 2016 for a bonus of $4.75 million. He possesses a fastball which he sustains at 94 mph and can hit as much as 98 mph of the radar gun.

Although he had a record of 6-11 and had an ERA of 6.04 last season, he closed the year on a strong note. The team also feels that the adjustments he made during the winter might unlock his full potential.

One thing Gutiérrez must cut down on this year is on the gopher ball, the native of Pinar del Río, Cuba did allow 1.71 per nine innings last season.

One positive last season was his K% which was 19.2% and was one of the top percentages in the International league.

For his career in the minors, he has a record of 22-29 and an ERA of 4.98  which is middling. The big question is can he make the jump to the next level.

With the adjustments he made last offseason also with better command and control Gutiérrez could see the Majors coming out of spring training or during the season.

Will Vladimir Gutiérrez open the season in the big leagues? As of right now, that is all on his shoulders.