The Reds Are Running Out of Pitchers

 

So here's the good news about this Reds team: The bulk of the rotation this year consists of four rookies who are fully ready for the show. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo took some time but they've warmed up to things and are performing very well. Graham Ashcraft and Connor Overton took to the majors instantly and have had great starts without being too flashy.

Now, here's the bad news: all of them except for Lodolo are currently injured.

So this means that without Greene and Ashcraft, with Vladimir Gutierrez injured, and without Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle, the Reds, who are already one of the worst teams in baseball, have turned their rotation into a game of 'let's see who we can throw in there for 5 innings'. Some of these choices I do understand- Mike Minor was a flyby from the offseason who they're making good on, and while he's completely lost his second wind with a 2-10 record, at least he can eat innings. Justin Dunn I also understand, he was a key piece of the Eugenio Suarez/Jesse Winker deal, and he's finally healthy enough to start. Unfortunately, through 3 starts he has a 6.08 ERA. Is it the wear and tear, or is it just having to pitch for the Reds? I suppose we'll find out.

The other 2 spots are being filled by so many out-there pitchers who are just hanging around the Reds' roster. Luis Cessa has been starting games, he's doing a serviceable job. Former Blue Jays prospect T.J. Zeuch has started two games, and just had to go against a surging Phillies lineup. Reiver Sanmartin is also hanging around, but I'm not sure if the Reds want to risk starting him anytime soon considering how badly he did before. 

The lineup isn't fairing much better. Yes, people like Aristedes Aquino and Donovan Solano have stepped up, and Jake Fraley, Alejo Lopez and Nick Senzel seem to be ramping up, but with so many pieces gone, and with Joey Votto out for the rest of the year, this seems like a Reds team without a purpose. Who's the central lineup figure? Jonathan India? Senzel? There's so many young people that there's really no leadership here, and it's coming from people like Mike Moustakas and Mike Minor who aren't playing well. 

With really only one truly safe starting option right now, the Reds are just patiently waiting for either people to get healthy or for the season to end. I wish it wasn't as cruel.

Coming Tonight: A former depth piece for a competitor who's now struggling with a larger role.