Cincinnati Reds: 3 players who could be gone by the trade deadline

David Hernández, Pitcher

David Hernández had a fabulous season in 2018, but so far this year the right-hander has struggled. Hernández labored through the final at-bat against Corey Dickerson on Opening Day and it’s all been down hill since then.

Hernández is in the final year of his deal. He’s a quality arm out of the bullpen, but Hernández seems like he’s struggling to adjust to the way in which David Bell is trying to utilize him this season.

Last year, it was very rare to see Hernández come into a game with runners on base or in the middle of an inning. In 53 of his 57 appearances last season, David Hernández began the inning with no outs and no runners on base.

David Bell has shown a different approach than Jim Riggleman. We’ve seen Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett, who’ve both shown the ability to go multiple innings, come in for just one or two batters.

Hernández, through 6 innings of work, has a 4.50 ERA. Hernández has allowed 10 hits in those 6 innings, which is the same as Wandy Peralta, Robert Stephenson, and Amir Garrett combined. Only starters Anthony DeSclafani and Tanner Roark have allowed more hits and both have pitched in more than double the number of innings.

Luis Castillo has pitched in 24.2 innings to this point and has fewer hits allowed than Hernández. David Hernández also has allowed the highest batting average (.370) among all pitchers on the Cincinnati Reds staff.

Hopefully David Hernández returns to form. In 57 appearances last season, Hernández owned a 2.57 ERA. It’s doubtful the Reds would outright release Hernández, but it is conceivable that he could be traded if he shows a return to his 2018 self as the season progresses.

It’s still very early and hopefully the majority of Reds fans have yet to give up on their team. However, if things don’t improve in the coming weeks, the front office could view this season a lot differently than they did before Opening Day.