The Cincinnati Reds have signed left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield to a minor league contract, as confirmed by MLB.com’s transactions tracker. Initially assigned to the Complex League, Sheffield is expected to move up to a higher affiliate once he regains game readiness.
Sheffield, 28, is attempting to revive his career after several disappointing seasons. Once considered a future star, Sheffield was selected 31st overall by Cleveland in the 2014 draft and became a key part of significant trades. He was sent to the Yankees in 2016 as part of the deal for Andrew Miller and later traded to the Mariners in 2018 in exchange for James Paxton.
During that time, Sheffield was highly regarded, ranking among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects for four consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019, peaking at #27. His strong 2018 season, where he posted a 2.48 ERA over 116 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, showcased his potential. He also made a brief major league debut with the Yankees at 22 before being traded to Seattle.
However, Sheffield struggled to live up to expectations with the Mariners. His major league tenure from 2018 to 2022 saw a 5.47 ERA over 186 innings, with a 49.5% ground ball rate but subpar strikeout (18.2%) and walk (10.6%) rates. His minor league performance was similarly disappointing, with a 5.49 ERA over 244 1/3 innings from 2019 to 2022.
In 2023, the Mariners tried converting Sheffield to a reliever, but his struggles persisted, leading to his release in April. He then signed a minor league deal with Atlanta, which returned him to a starting role, but his performance did not improve, ending the season with a 7.63 ERA over 63 2/3 innings between the two organizations.
Now with the Reds, Sheffield has a chance to turn his career around. The team faces rotation uncertainties, with Graham Ashcraft recently optioned to the minors and Brandon Williamson’s rehab halted due to shoulder discomfort. Currently, the Reds’ rotation includes Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Frankie Montas, with several candidates to fill the fifth spot.
Looking ahead, Montas is set to become a free agent, and Nick Martinez has an opt-out clause after this year, potentially thinning the rotation depth. However, prospects like Rhett Lowder and Chase Petty are progressing in Double-A and could join the mix soon.
Sheffield, with less than three years of service time and one option year remaining, presents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Reds. If he can recapture his former prospect form and earn a roster spot, he could provide valuable rotation depth and long-term benefits for the team.
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