Exit Stephen Strasburg, enter Aroldis Chapman.
The Reds' exciting, young flamethrower is expected to be called up to the majors on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Just last week, baseball fans learned that they wouldn't be seeing Strasburg for 12 to 18 months due to injury.
Chapman, 22, was among the most sought-after names in free agency last winter after he defected from Cuba. He signed with the Reds in January for a reported $30.25 million over six years, with a signing bonus of more than $16 million. The Red Sox, Marlins and Blue Jays were believed to have been involved in the bidding war for the lefty's services.
He spent this season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, where he made 13 starts and 26 relief appearances. He posted a 9-6 record and a 3.57 ERA to go with 125 strikeouts and 52 walks in 95 2/3 innings. He also threw 14 wild pitches along the way.
Chapman hit 105 mph on the radar gun on Friday, with a scout telling FanHouse's Ed Price that Chapman had "the best fastball I have ever witnessed."
We'll all get to witness it soon, and if the Reds can maintain their five-game lead in the NL Central, he could be thrust onto the national stage come October. He's expected to join the bullpen, and he'll be playoff eligible, thanks to Jose Arrendondo and Mike Lincoln being on the disabled list. That means that the Reds can simply insert Chapman in either player's place on the playoff roster.
Chapman's debut and subsequent appearances are sure to garner national attention, but there won't be the same fanfare that came with Strasburg's debut because Chapman won't be starting. Still, with Strasburg out for the foreseeable future, the baseball world will have its eyes on Chapman as early as this week.
