Garrett motivated to crack big league rotation

CINCINNATI — Reds left-handed pitching prospect Amir Garrett didn’t mince words when asked about the opening in the big league rotation this spring.

“I’m coming,” Garrett said. “They’re not going to give it to me, so I’m going to come and take it. That’s how it’s been my whole career playing baseball. I will have to go in there and show what I’ve got. And I’m not going to lie down. All of the people competing for the last spot, it will just up the competition level. It will help everybody rise to the top. It will make everyone else better.”

The Reds’ No. 2 prospect and No. 45 overall, according to MLBPipeline.com, Garrett will be joining other highly coveted Reds’ pitching prospects at Spring Training to compete for the rotation — including lefty Cody Reed and right-hander Robert Stephenson. The club is also scanning the free-agent market to add to the depth.

Garrett, 24, began last season at Double-A Pensacola and he was 5-3 with a 1.75 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in 13 games (12 starts) over 77 innings. After moving up to Triple-A Louisville, he went 2-5 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 12 games (11 starts) and 67 2/3 innings. He also appeared in the MLB All-Star Futures Game for the second straight year.

“I felt I did pretty …

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