Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani ready for off-season

The Cincinnati Reds hope that Anthony DeSclafani will have a healthy 2018.

Anthony DeSclafani didn’t pitch a single game in 2017 for the Cincinnati Reds. This is one year after only making twenty starts do to injury in 2016. That’s not a great outcome, especially for a pitcher as young as DeSclafani.

Usually, a pitcher with that sort of pair of seasons wouldn’t want the season to end. DeSclafani is different for an important reason. He had success in the Instructional League to act as his entire 2017 season.

Prior to the Instructional League, DeSclafani did make three starts in the minors for the Reds. He made a single start in the Arizona Rookie League. There he went 2 1/3 innings allowing two earned runs, striking out three.

He also made a pair of starts for the Dayton Dragons. DeSclafani pitched a total of 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs. He also struck out six, but gave up three home runs.

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DeSclafani made five starts in the Instructional League. His most successful start was his last one. He went seven innings, throwing 90 pitches.

This was the second season in a row that saw DeSclafani go through a major rehab in the minors. He missed the first half of 2016 rehabbing. Hopefully, he will be ready for spring training in 2018.

Prior to his injuries, Anthony DeSclafani appeared destined to become the ace of the Cincinnati Reds.

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In 56 career starts DeSclafani has gone .500 at 20-20. He has one complete game, shutout to his name, but he only averages a little over five innings per start in his MLB career.

His best season as a professional was his first with the Reds. In 2015 DeSclafani pitched 184 2/3 innings over 31 starts going 9-13. His ERA and WHIP were respectable at 4.05 and 1.35, respectively.

In 2016 DeSclafani was only able to answer the call on 20 occasions.

However, he did go 9-5 with an ERA of 3.28. He also struck out 105 in 123 1/3 innings.

Now, he has an entire off-season healthy for the first time in two years to get ready for the 2018 season. If he approaches what he did in 2015, the Reds will have a great middle of the rotation starter. If he can do what he did over the second half of 2016 for a while season, he may re-position himself as the team ace again. Luis Castillo is the current favorite for the Opening Day start for now.

Next: Tim Adleman leaves the Reds

Whatever DeSclafani does in 2017 should be viewed as a bonus. With his recent injury issues the Reds are fortunate that his career is not over. However, right now, they just have to hope and wait.

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