Reds Pitching Director Discusses Spring Training

Derek Johnson talks about the team's pitching plans ahead of the new season.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a special podcast episode, Cincinnati Reds Beat Reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and Sports Reporter Pat Brennan sat down with Reds Director of Pitching Derek Johnson to discuss the team's pitching plans and preparations for the upcoming 2026 MLB season during Spring Training.

Why it matters

As the Reds look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign, the development of their pitching staff will be crucial to their success. Johnson's insights provide valuable context on the team's offseason moves and training priorities.

The details

During the interview, Johnson discussed the Reds' focus on improving their pitching depth and developing young arms. He highlighted the team's efforts to integrate new analytical tools and training methods to help pitchers maximize their potential.

  • The podcast episode was recorded on February 20, 2026 during Reds Spring Training in Cincinnati.

The players

Derek Johnson

The Reds' Director of Pitching, responsible for overseeing the development and performance of the team's pitching staff.

Gordon Wittenmyer

A veteran Cincinnati Reds beat reporter for the Cincinnati.com sports section.

Pat Brennan

A sports reporter covering the Cincinnati Reds for Cincinnati.com.

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What they’re saying

“We're really focused on building up our pitching depth this offseason. That's going to be key to our success in 2026.”

— Derek Johnson, Reds Director of Pitching (Cincinnati.com)

“The new analytics tools we've implemented are already helping our pitchers refine their mechanics and repertoire.”

— Derek Johnson, Reds Director of Pitching (Cincinnati.com)

What’s next

Fans can expect more updates from Reds Spring Training as the team continues to prepare for the 2026 MLB season.

The takeaway

The Reds are making pitching development a top priority this offseason, leveraging new technologies and training methods to build a stronger, more versatile pitching staff capable of leading the team back to the playoffs.