José Acuña

José Acuña is a power-oriented right-hander whose development has centered on refining raw stuff into a more complete pitching profile. He joined the Reds organization as part of the trade that sent Tyler Naquin to the Mets, arriving with a reputation for arm strength and physical projection but still needing refinement. Since coming over, Acuña has gradually added polish to his delivery and overall approach, showing a more controlled tempo on the mound while maintaining the aggressive mindset that defines his pitching style. His fastball remains the foundation of the arsenal, typically operating in the mid-to-upper 90s with heavy life that can overwhelm hitters when he gets ahead in counts. The pitch generates both swing-and-miss and weak contact, but the long-term outlook depends on continued growth of his secondary offerings. He mixes a hard slider that flashes late bite and a developing changeup that has become increasingly important against left-handed hitters, though both pitches can vary in consistency. When his release point stays aligned, the overall mix plays like a true power repertoire capable of missing bats at a high rate. Projection-wise, Acuña fits the mold of a power arm who could impact a pitching staff in multiple ways depending on how the command evolves. The Reds have given him chances to build innings, but his velocity and intensity also hint at a potential high-leverage relief role if a shorter stint allows the stuff to play up further. Continued progress with strike throwing and pitch efficiency will ultimately determine whether he settles into a rotation depth path or emerges as a bullpen weapon as he moves closer to the upper levels.