Cincinnati Reds add Luis Castillo to the list of possible starters with Anthony DeSclafani out to start season

The Cincinnati Reds added Luis Castillo into the mix for the number five starter role as everyone else moves a step forward.

With Anthony DeSclafani officially out of consideration to start opening day for the Cincinnati Reds, they have added more pitchers into the mix for possible rotation arms.  When he came over with Austin Brice and Isaiah White in the Dan Straily deal, Castillo was viewed as the furthest of the prospects from the majors.  Then the Reds’ starting pitching situation got more bleak.

Even with Homer Bailey undergoing a procedure to clean bone chips out of his elbow, there was little cause for concern.  Bailey is only out two months, only.  DeSclafani was healthy and they finally signed Bronson Arroyo as depth.

Now Arroyo is behind schedule to be ready to start because he was ill.  In the meantime DeSclafani got off to a slow start due to a sore elbow.  Now it is official that he will not be ready for the start of the season.

With DeSclafani out Brandon Finnegan and Tim Adleman are the most likely opening day starters.  Scott Feldman is now tentatively in the rotation with Robert Stephenson’s performance holding him back.  With all of these moving pieces, Amir Garrett is ahead of Stephenson for a rotation spot and Castillo is the conversation to replace him.

More from Reds News

• Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin adds another twist to offseason roster construction
• Reds: Signing Tyler Mahle to a contract extension should be a top priority
• Reds: Reiver Sanmartin should get first major league start vs Pirates
• Reds should unquestionably bring Wade Miley back in 2022

With all of the moving pieces for the Cincinnati Reds, Luis Castillo has a legitimate shot to be the number five starter this year.

Heading into spring training games, Castillo was the Reds’ eighth best prospect and the number four starting pitching prospect.  He was only behind Garrett, Stephenson, and Tyler Mahle among starting pitching prospects.  Vladimir Gutierrez is also above Castillo, but Gutierrez projects as a reliever.

So far this spring, Castillo has only pitched in two games going a total of three innings.  In his first game he went two and struck out two.  While he wasn’t as successful in his second game, he has yet to allow a walk or a home run.

With the Marlins Castillo averaged less than six innings per start.  His WHIP and batting average against, though, speak of someone who projects as a major league starter.  Early in his career, he as used was a closer, but not recently.

Next: The best case scenario for Arroyo and the Reds

With the trade of Straily and the mounting injuries, the Reds need to consider all of the possibilities.  Therefore,as a top pitching prospect, Castillo is a possibility.  With his minor league history and his solid stuff, maybe he is the best option the Reds have right now.