Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day starter Scott Feldman continues to struggle

The Cincinnati Reds were hoping that Scott Feldman could be a versatile inning eater when they signed him.

When they signed Feldman, the Cincinnati Reds thought they had a reliever who could pitch one inning for every two games or a starter who would average six innings.  Feldman hasn’t been either of those things yet.  Right now he is barely averaging five innings per start.

That isn’t Feldman.  In a weird way Feldman has been one of the most consistent pitchers in all of MLB for the past ten years.  As a starter Feldman has averaged nearly spot on six innings per start.  So impressed with the him were the Astros that he appeared a large part of their rebuild.

As a reliever Feldman has a shorter track record and appears destined to be a middle reliever when he can no longer go six innings every time out.  When he first signed with the Reds, that became the plan.  Then Feldman backed into a starting spot and then the Opening Day assignment.

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From 2008 through 2014 Feldman made at least 21 starts and pitched at least 123 innings every season.  The low point on both counts was 2012 when he pitched more relief than usual for the Texas Rangers.  His best season as a starting pitcher was 2013 when he made a total of 30 starts, split evenly between the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, with a combined ERA of 3.86.

The consistency that Scott Feldman has shown at other stops has been lacking in his time with the Cincinnati Reds.

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This season for the Reds Feldman has averaged 5 1/3 innings.  His 4.83 ERA is almost a half of a run higher than his career average.  More alarming, though, is the fact that his walk rate has gone up.

In 1306 innings Feldman has given up 419 walks over his career for 2.89 walks per nine innings pitched.  This season Feldman has surrendered 15 walks over 31 innings or nearly 4.5 walks per nine innings.  That is more than a 50% increase over his previous norm.

The additional walks have made Feldman’s WHIP go up.  His career WHIP is 1.36 compared to 1.42 this season.  His season ending WHIP hasn’t been that high since 2010.

On the positive note his home run rate is down.  He has only allowed 4 home runs this season or one per eight innings.  His career norm is one home run per 5 2/3 innings.

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Overall, Feldman not staying in games is costing the Reds’ bullpen and team overall.  His best two abilities as a major league have been reliability and availability.  Right now Feldman isn’t doing a great job of either.