The Cincinnati Reds are going to have a solid rotation in 2012
The Cincinnati Reds have a very young and solid starting rotation heading into the 2012 season. It is also a pretty deep rotation. Here is a look at the Reds’ rotation as of right now:
#1: Johnny Cueto: 25-year old righty starting pitcher Johnny Cueto has graduated to being the ace of the staff in 2012. Cueto pitched in 24 games (all starts) for the Reds last year and he was 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has now pitched in 116 games (all starts) in his first four years for the Reds and he is 41-37 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Cueto has the stuff to keep pitching like he did last year, the Reds are hoping that he can just stay healthy all year long.
#2: Mat Latos: The Reds dealt for 24-year old righty Mat Latos and he didn’t come cheap. That means the Reds have high hopes for him both in 2012 and down the road. Latos pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Padres last year and he was 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has now pitched in 72 games (all starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 27-29 with a 3.37 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Latos has the same kind of upside that Cueto does, so the Reds are going to be happy with the top of the rotation in 2012 and beyond.
#3: Bronson Arroyo: 34-year old righty Bronson Arroyo is going to drop to #3 in the rotation for 2012 and that’s a good thing for both him and the Reds. Arroyo pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Reds last year and he was 9-12 with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 201 games (all starts) in his first six years with the Reds and he is 79-72 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Arroyo has now pitched in 327 games (291 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 112-105 with 1 save, a 4.28 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Arroyo is an innings eater, which every rotation needs, but the Reds need him to rebound in 2012.
#4: Mike Leake: 24-year old righty Mike Leake really pitched well for the Reds last year. He pitched in 29 games (26 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 12-9 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Leake has now pitched in 53 games (48 starts) in his first two years with the Reds and he is 20-13 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. The Reds hope that Leake continues to improve as his career goes on.
#5: Homer Bailey: 25-year old righty Homer Bailey pitched his best baseball of his major league career so far in 2011. He pitched in 22 games (all starts) for the Reds last year and he was 9-7 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Bailey has now pitched in 78 games (all starts) in his first five years with the Reds and he is 25-23 with a 4.89 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Bailey will have to step up to hold off the competition for the #5 spot in the starting rotation this spring.
Aroldis Chapman: 23-year old lefty Aroldis Chapman is going to get a shot to win a job in the rotation this spring. Chapman pitched in 54 games (0 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 4-1 with 1 save, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has now pitched in 69 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 6-3 with 1 save, a 3.27 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. If Chapman ever refines his control, he will be truly nasty, but he has walked 46 batters in his first 63 1/3 innings in the majors. On the positive side of things, Chapman has only given up 33 hits while whiffing 90 batters in those same 63 1/3 innings…..showing just how wicked he can be. If he doesn’t improve his control this spring, he will be in the bullpen again in 2012.
Jeff Francis: 30-year old lefty Jeff Francis will also be in the mix this spring for the #5 job in the Reds’ starting rotation. Francis pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Royals last year and he was 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He has now pitched in 181 games (180 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 61-66 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Francis will be a longshot to win a job in the Reds’ rotation when the 2012 season starts.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: B+