Cincinnati Reds: Five players likely to make their big league debut in 2020

3. Nick Lodolo, Left-handed pitcher

It may be odd to see last year’s No. 7 overall pick as a possible candidate to make his major league debut in 2020, but it’s very possible. Nick Lodolo is an experienced pitcher who profiles as a player who ‘ll quickly ascend through the minor leagues. While he’s unlikely to follow Mike Leake‘s path to the majors and break camp with the team, he could make his debut in September.

If any other pitcher, aside from those projected to be among the Reds starters, is likely to break camp as part of the 2020 rotation, it’ll be Tyler Mahle. That said, the most likely scenario in which Mahle begins the season with the big league club is if one of the starters suffers an injury during spring training. Otherwise, the 2020 starting rotation is set.

Lodolo the first pitcher taken in last year’s MLB Draft. Six position players were drafted before him and Lodolo fell into the Reds lap. The lanky lefty started just eight games last season, going 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 18.1 innings.

Nick Lodolo will likely begin the 2020 season at Advanced-A Daytona. If he showcases the type of game everyone suspects, he could be in Triple-A Louisville by the end of the season. September call-ups are likely to be handled a bit differently this season, but there’s still a fair chance that fans will see Lodolo make his big league debut later this summer.

Lodolo is not going to supplant one of the Cincinnati Reds starters in 2020. Now, come the 2021 season, the likelihood of Lodolo joining the starting rotation is much more realistic. However, once the roster expands in September, Lodolo could find his way to the big leagues and be an imposing left-handed reliever out fo the Reds bullpen.