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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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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 22: Detail shot of a bat and glove on the field (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /

5. Packy Naughton, Left-handed pitcher

The last spot in the Louisville Bats starting rotation could go any number of ways, but I’m going to give the nod to Packy Naughton. Though not yet a part of the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster, Naughton put up some solid number for Double-A Chattanooga last season. If Naughton puts together some decent numbers at spring camp, perhaps the lefty will earn a spot in Pat Kelly’s rotation.

Naughton was a ninth-round pick of the Reds back in 2017 and put together a nice season for the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2019. Naughton went 6-10 with a 3.66 ERA and a 3.54 FIP. Being a left-handed pitcher is always an advantage in terms of staying power, but in a Cincinnati organization starved for a left-handed starter, Naughton may be given a lot of opportunities to grow.

The Reds also selected a lefty in the first-round of last year’s draft. However, despite the likely meteoric rise of Nick Lodolo through Cincinnati’s farm system, Naughton may be the next southpaw in line for a promotion to Triple-A Louisville.

There’s also the possibility that Cincinnati wants to see more of Naughton at the Double-A level. After all, he played only 19 games at Chattanooga last season and, according to FanGraphs, his strikeout-rate went down and his walk-rate went up. The Reds may want to see Naughton develop more at the Double-A level before bumping up to Triple-A Louisville.

Next. 3 Reds most likely to bat leadoff in 2020

Spring training will definitely offer some insight as to who’ll take the ball on Opening Day for the Louisville Bats. The Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds kicks off their 2020 season on the road at Columbus on Thursday, April 9th. The Bats home opener at Louisville Slugger Field will be Saturday, April 11th.

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