Carson Spiers

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #18 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: The nephew of MLB infielder Bill Spiers, Carson was a savvy nondrafted free agent signing of the Reds after the five-round 2020 draft. The one-time Clemson closer saw his velocity improve in pro ball, even as he moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Spiers began 2023 as a reliever, but the Reds moved him back into a starting role in July when more than half of the club’s MLB rotation was on the injured list. Two months later, Spiers made his MLB debut as a starter before moving back to the bullpen.
  
  Scouting Report: Spiers has a bucket of usable pitches but no single pitch that gives hitters something to fear. His average 92-95 mph four-seam fastball works if he keeps it at the top or bottom of the zone. Against righthanded hitters he relies more heavily on his two-seamer to get inside, which sets up his average mid-80s slider to break in the opposite direction. His fringe-average changeup was once an above-average pitch but has backed up a little in pro ball. It’s effective to generate soft contact when he dots the bottom of the zone.
  
  The Future: Spiers’ future role will depend on the Reds’ needs. He has experience in the bullpen and in the rotation, and he’s capable of handling either role. More importantly his flexible mindset means he’s willing to help in any way possible.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 55
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #13 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: When the 2020 draft was cut to five rounds, the Reds spent plenty of effort finding nondrafted pitchers who had the attributes to succeed in pro ball. Spiers looks like the best of an impressive bunch. The nephew of longtime MLB infielder Bill Spiers and the son of Clemson baseball star Michael Spiers, Carson was a reliable closer at Clemson, but he’s become a useful starter in pro ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Even though Spiers has moved from relieving in college to starting in pro ball, he’s managed to add several ticks to his fastball, going from a 90-91 mph reliever to a starter who sits 92 mph and touches 96. He’s also adjusted his pitch selection, switching from being a sinkerballer to a pitcher who thrives by throwing an average four-seam fastball with enough carry to stay above hitters’ bats. His plus changeup is still his best pitch thanks to separation and deception, but he’s also developed an average cutter and an average curve. All of Spiers’ pitches work in part because he has plus control.
  
  The Future: There’s not much sexy about Spiers’ assortment of pitches, but he’s a durable, reliable starter who should pitch in the big leagues because of his multiple pitches and control.
  

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: When the 2020 draft was cut to five rounds, the Reds spent plenty of effort finding nondrafted pitchers who had the attributes to succeed in pro ball. Spiers looks like the best of an impressive bunch. The nephew of longtime MLB infielder Bill Spiers and the son of Clemson baseball star Michael Spiers, Carson was a reliable closer at Clemson, but he&#39s become a useful starter in pro ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Even though Spiers has moved from relieving in college to starting in pro ball, he&#39s managed to add several ticks to his fastball, going from a 90-91 mph reliever to a starter who sits 92 mph and touches 96. He&#39s also adjusted his pitch selection, switching from being a sinkerballer to a pitcher who thrives by throwing an average four-seam fastball with enough carry to stay above hitters&#39 bats. His plus changeup is still his best pitch thanks to separation and deception, but he&#39s also developed an average cutter and an average curve. All of Spiers&#39 pitches work in part because he has plus control.
  
  The Future: There&#39s not much sexy about Spiers&#39 assortment of pitches, but he&#39s a durable, reliable starter who should pitch in the big leagues because of his multiple pitches and control.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: When the 2020 draft was cut to five rounds, the Reds spent plenty of effort finding nondrafted pitchers who had the attributes to succeed in pro ball. Spiers looks like the best of an impressive bunch. The nephew of longtime MLB infielder Bill Spiers and the son of Clemson baseball star Michael Spiers, Carson was a reliable closer at Clemson, but he’s become a useful starter in pro ball.
  
  Scouting Report: Even though Spiers has moved from relieving in college to starting in pro ball, he’s managed to add several ticks to his fastball, going from a 90-91 mph reliever to a starter who sits 92 mph and touches 96. He’s also adjusted his pitch selection, switching from being a sinkerballer to a pitcher who thrives by throwing an average four-seam fastball with enough carry to stay above hitters’ bats. His plus changeup is still his best pitch thanks to separation and deception, but he’s also developed an average cutter and an average curve. All of Spiers’ pitches work in part because he has plus control.
  
  The Future: There’s not much sexy about Spiers’ assortment of pitches, but he’s a durable, reliable starter who should pitch in the big leagues because of his multiple pitches and control.