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Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the starting rotation for Triple-A Louisville Bats

By Drew Koch

CINCINNATI,OH - AUGUST 27: Buddy Bat of the Louisville Bats connects with a pitch during the annual Mascot Tee Ball game prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals on August 27, 2011 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Nationals 6-3. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI,OH - AUGUST 27: Buddy Bat of the Louisville Bats connects with a pitch during the annual Mascot Tee Ball game prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals on August 27, 2011 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Nationals 6-3. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 9: Louisville Slugger bat Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

For all intents and purposes, the 2020 Cincinnati Reds starting rotation is set. But what might the Triple-A rotation look like for the Louisville Bats?

The 2020 Cincinnati Reds starting rotation, barring injury, is all but set. The addition of Wade Miley gives David Bell a left-hander that he can roll out every fifth day. It also would seem to bump Tyler Mahle, who started 25 games for the Reds last season, out of the rotation. So, who might the Louisville Bats, Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate, send to the hill on a nightly basis?

The Reds starters may be the best in the National League Central. Cy Young candidates Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray sit atop the rotation, while former Cleveland Indians starter Trevor Bauer will suit up for his first full-season in the Queen City. Miley signed a two-year deal this past winter and Anthony DeSclafani is coming off an impressive season in 2019.

Beyond Mahle, the Reds do not have a lot of depth at the Triple-A level. The majority of starting pitchers joining Cincinnati in spring camp have only pitched in the minor leagues, and most have not played above Double-A. Developing starting pitching will be a key to this season for Pat Kelly and the Louisville, especially with DeSclafani and Bauer entering free agency after this season.

The Louisville Bats home opener this season is on April 11th inside the beautiful stadium in downtown Louisville known as Slugger Field. Who’s going to get the nod when the Bats play host the Columbus Clippers? What might we expect from the next tier of Cincinnati starters this season at Triple-A Louisville?

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