30 Teams In 30 Days: The Cincinnati Reds Are On The Come Up

For a large majority of last season, the Cincinnati Reds seemed like a miracle group. They were one of those teams that was getting it done, and we couldn’t quite figure out how. They’re pitching, as Chris Klemmer predicted, completely fell apart down the stretch, but I think last season would be viewed as a success by most Reds fans. I don’t really know how this happened. It seemed like the year before, they were the dumpster fire of all dumpster fires. They must know what they’re doing in terms of player development because I do like some of the young players on this roster. Elly de la Cruz has been the most talked about, but Spencer Steer and Matt McLain were phenomenal for them a season ago, and they’re only going to get better. I like the addition of Jeimer Candelario as well. 

The lineup doesn’t concern me. What does concern me is the rotation. I do feel like there’s a high ceiling to the rotation. If Frankie Montas can return to form, Andrew Abbott and Hunter Greene can come into their own, I think that this could be a sound rotation that is part of a team that’s good enough to win the National League Central, but I have my doubts about that. Cincinnati is a difficult park to pitch in, and I do have my questions about the durability of some of these pitchers. Guys like Greene and Montas have injury histories. 

Overall, I think that the Reds are in a great place to compete this year. Their ownership is much-maligned and rightfully so. I have doubts about whether they will spend big when the time is right, but there are enough young pieces here to be excited about.