Cincinnati Reds: Trevor Bauer brings outrageous upside to rotation

In Trevor Bauer, the Cincinnati Reds acquired a top of the rotation arm to help in 2019, while setting their sights on bigger prizes in 2020.

You have to admire the daring nature of the Cincinnati Reds front office. If you’re willing to deal a top 30 prospect in Taylor Trammell and a fan favorite in Yasiel Puig, you better be getting something special in return. That’s exactly what the team received when they acquired former Cleveland Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer.

The 28-year-old California native brings a wealth of success and postseason experience to a staff that is already one of the best in the National League. Bauer will make his Cincinnati debut Saturday night in Atlanta after leading the American League in innings pitched and ranking fourth in strikeouts.

Even though Bauer, who is 9-8 with a 3.79 ERA, is not having the type of year he did in 2018 when he went 12-6 with 2.21 ERA, there is still a ton to be excited about. Taking a closer look at the metrics it reveals a pitcher not far removed from the top of his game.

When he takes the mound at SunTrust Park on Saturday, Bauer will be sporting a 10.63 K/9 rate, while fanning 27.9% of the batters he faced. Both marks are the second-best of his career. Additionally, he’s limited opponents to a measly .216 batting average to along with an excellent 1.21 WHIP.

While it’s often overlooked, a huge advantage for Bauer will be pitching in the National League and avoiding having to face a designated hitter every time out to the mound. National League pitchers are slashing .133/.166/.171 compared to American League DH’s who have accumulated a .252/.336/.462 slash line. It’s safe to say Bauer will look forward to facing Yu Darvish at the plate as opposed to Nelson Cruz.

Regardless of how successful a pitcher has been in the past, there’s always trepidation about a hurler making his home at Great American Ball Park. Trevor Bauer has made three career starts in the Queen City and his first two did not go well. Granted those starts were in 2012 and 2015 respectively, so I wouldn’t put much significance in those results.

However, I would suggest you take a close look at his most recent start at GABP and you don’t have to go back very far at all to find it. Facing the Cincinnati Reds on July 7th, Bauer allowed just 1 run on 4 hits over 7 innings while fanning 9 in an 11-1 Indians victory.

Reaching the playoffs in 2019 will be a tall task, however, the Reds front office has clearly signaled they’re going all-in next season with the trade for Bauer. If past history is any indication, that’s a smart move.

In 10 playoff games, including 6 starts, Bauer Outage has compiled a 3.81 ERA and fanned 32 in only 26 innings of work. Trevor Bauer was at his best in the 2017 ALCS when he didn’t allow an earned run in 8.1 innings and whiffed 11 New York Yankees.

Kudos to Dick Williams and Nick Krall for seizing the opportunity to trade for a pitcher who has ace potential. A rotation of Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Alex Wood, and Bauer instantly gives the Reds the best set of starters in the NL Central. As a result of the decision to be bold at the trade deadline, the Cincinnati Reds will be the beneficiaries with an eye on the prize.