Cincinnati Reds go through found and lost season with Amir Garrett

In a season that began as a surprise for success with the Cincinnati Reds, Amir Garrett’s season was lost in lack of development.

The Cincinnati Reds were so impressed with Amir Garrett in spring training that they put him in their opening day rotation.  Garrett was a high upside rough around the edges starting prospect.  Suddenly, the Reds accelerated him to majors.

In spring training, Garrett made six starts, covering 21 ⅓ innings.  All of the starts were made during the day and unlike most starters, Garrett did not make an relief appearances.  Garrett allowed 25 hits including two home runs.

Although it means less in spring training, half of his games were at home and half on the road.  Even though the innings balanced nearly evenly, he allowed ten earned runs on the road in eleven innings, but none at home.  He also walked five on the road, but just one at home.

Garrett dominated against left handers in spring.  He only allowed a batting average against of .227 to left-handers resulting in a WHIP of 1.20.  Right-handers batted .317 for a WHIP of 1.57 against Garrett in the spring.

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The most astounding stat for Garrett, though, was the difference between when he was ahead or behind in the count.  When he led the count, batters had an average of .095 and Garrett’s WHIP was 0.32.  When he trailed in the count, batters had an average of .625 and Garrett’s WHIP was 6.60.

With a spring of over achievement the Cincinnati Reds knew exactly what sort of development they needed to see from Amir Garrett.

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Garrett must retire right-handed batters at a higher rate.  The Reds also needed to see him keep his WHIP under control.  Those were Garrett’s weaknesses in spring training.

As far as Garrett’s success against right handers, he did make a touch of progress there.  They batted .262 and struck out 45 times against Garrett in 2017.  The WHIP against righties was still a bit high at 1.56.

Of course Garrett’s WHIP is where the Reds’ did not see any improvement.  During his minor league career, Garrett has a 1.27 WHIP.  

This season at Triple-A his WHIP was 1.52, after the Reds demoted him.

That is the development that the Reds did not see.  Once things began to unravel for Garrett this season, his WHIP began to rise.  With a high WHIP in the majors and minors this season it appeared that Garrett regressed in 2017.

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The Reds know that Garrett has the talent.  They know that he can go head-to-head against anyone in short bursts.  Now they need him to do that consistently and figure out how to use him.