Cincinnati Reds Cody Reed is on the outside looking in for rotation spot

Cody Reed wants to join the Cincinnati Reds rotation for 2018, but the competition is stiff.

Cody Reed showed his value to the Cincinnati Reds as a reliever in 2017, but wants to join the rotation in 2018.  While Robert Stephenson blew up when he was in the bullpen, Reed showed that he was good for short bursts.  Unfortunately, Reed had trouble in his lone MLB start this season.

In the eight relief innings before his lone start for Cincinnati in 2017, Reed did not surrender a single run.  In his first start he allowed seven runs in two innings.  He walked five, but only gave up four hits.

In his single MLB start in 2016 Reed was awful.  He allowed seven runs including two home runs over just two inning, which was shorter than several of his relief appearances.  He also walked two while striking out four.

After his September call-up, Reed was even more impressive.  He pitched five games covering 3 ⅔ innings allowing three hits.  Reed didn’t allow a single earned run or home run in September.

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In Louisville this season Reed made 21 appearances, including 20 starts.  He only went 4-9, but he also only allowed seven homes over 106 ⅔ innings in Triple-A.  He walked 61 while striking out 102.

Despite good development as a starter at Louisville, Cody Reed will have a tough time making the rotation for the Cincinnati Reds in 2018.

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The Reds have three starters penciled into their rotation in 2017 rookies Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Sal Romano.  Homer Bailey also has an inside edge for a roster spot.  That leaves Reed battling veterans Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan, as well as fellow prospect Stephenson for  the last spot.

Reed may have lost this battle in 2016.  He made ten starts losing all seven decisions.  He also had an ERA of 7.36.

If Finnegan is healthy and the Reds want him to start, he will make the rotation.  

In 2016 he was the only Reds starter to make every start during his turn in the rotation.  The Reds have missed that sort of reliability.

Stephenson and a rotation entirely composed of prospects may be intriguing for the Reds.  There are are plenty of young pitchers that the Reds could insert into the rotation.  Whoever is hot can get a chance.

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Reed wants to start for the Reds.  The Reds want him to be good enough to start.  If not, he has shown that he can be a good multi-inning reliever.