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

ByDrew 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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Cincinnati Reds
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: The game ball is left on the mound prior to Game One of the 2019 World Series (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

3. Vladimir Gutierrez, Right-handed pitcher

Vladimir Gutierrez spent the entire 2019 season with the Louisville Bats and is likely to begin the 2020 season back in the Derby City. Much like Tony Santillan, Gutierrez’s 2018 campaign was much better than his performance last season. Gutierrez went 6-11 with a 6.04 ERA in 27 for Triple-A Louisville.

Gutierrez is one of the top pitching prospects in Cincinnati’s farm system. After putting up solid numbers in Double-A Pensacola in 2018, there were some who thought Gutierrez was going to make his big league debut last season. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Gutierrez struggled across the board in 2019. According to FanGraphs, is walk-rate was up, his strikeout-rate was down and his home runs per 9 innings was almost double. Gutierrez, who was ranked No. 8 in the farm system according to MLB Pipeline last spring, fell to No. 11 as the season concluded and may find himself outside the Top 20 before this season begins.

On the bright side, Vladimir Gutierrez has put up solid stats during his time in the Dominican Winter League. Gutierrez went 1-4 in seven starts with a 3.21 ERA in 28.0 innings of work. Gutierrez still put up a high number of walks, issuing 12 free passes.

Vladimir Gutierrez was one of the top international signings when the Cincinnati Reds inked him to a deal in 2016. Gutierrez needs to return to form while likely drawing the start every fifth day at Triple-A Louisville. If Gutierrez produces at a high level this season for the Louisville Bats, don’t count him out of a spot in next year’s rotation at the major league level.

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