Cincinnati Reds: Three players most likely to have a breakout season

Last year, Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo had a breakout season. Which three Reds players are most likely to have a breakout season in 2020?

What really defines a breakout season? We all know one when we see. It usually involves a younger player, brimming with unrealized potential who finally figures it out and puts together a memorable season. Luis Castillo had, what many would call, a breakout season in 2019. Which three players on the Cincinnati Reds roster are most likely to follow in Castillo’s footsteps?

In 2018, Castillo showed flashes of the player we’d all come to know and love. That year, La Peidra went 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA in 31 starts. Castillo struck out 165 batters and recorded an ERA+ of 97. Last year, Castillo went to his first All-Star Game and put up a 15-8 record with a 3.40 ERA in 32 starts. The right-hander struck out 226 batters and his ERA+ jumped up to 133.

In 2018, it could be argued that Eugenio Suárez had his breakout season. At 26-years old, Suárez saw a big jump in power numbers from the year prior, as his slugging percentage went from .461 to .526. Geno also bumped his home run total from 26 in 2017 to 34 in 2018. The Reds third baseman also set a career-high in RBIs (104).

So, which player on the Reds may experience a similar season to what fans saw from Suárez in 2018 and Castillo in 2019? Will it be a pitcher? Is there a position player on this year’s team ready to make that leap? Let’s examine the three most likely candidates on the Cincinnati Reds roster who’s ready to jump from starter to star.