The Cincinnati Reds traded the best starting pitcher from their 2016 team in Dan Straily to get Austin Brice in the hopes that he might be an MLB closer someday. Brice wasn’t a reliever prior to the 2016 season. Based on spring training results this year and regular season results last year, it is hoped that he can become a closer for the Reds eventually.
Brice started in Double-A last season before getting the call up to Triple-A and then the majors. As a reliever in the minors, Brice had an ERA below 3.