Cincinnati Reds: Three biggest stories through first week of spring games

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Jose Garcia #83 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Josh VanMeter #17 (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Jose Garcia #83 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Josh VanMeter #17 (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Anthony DeSclafani #28 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

2. The rotation is off to a good start

Luis Castillo didn’t get off to a hot start, but three of the Reds other starters already appeared to be in midseason form. While La Piedra struggled out of the gate, Anthony DeSclafani, Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray all showed why Cincinnati may have the best rotation in the National League.

While it’s true that Luis Castillo didn’t even go a full inning in his first start this spring, the other core of the Cincinnati starting rotation has shown up in a big way this week. Wade Miley have yet to pitch this spring.

Gray went two innings on Wednesday, striking out three and keeping runs off the board. The right-hander allowed two hits. The following day saw two perfect innings from Bauer, going six up and six down while striking out two. Finally, Disco wrapped things up on Friday with an outstanding two innings, punching out two batters and not allowing a base runner.

We’re likely to see a few more starts from those three pitchers, plus another few starts from Castillo. Mahle and Miley will surely get some work in the coming weeks, and Vladimir Gutierrez, who’s likely to start in Triple-A, has seen action in three games thus far. Gutierrez has a 2.25 ERA through four innings of work.

Castillo will get a shot at redemption today when the right-hander takes the hill versus the San Diego Padres in Cactus League action. By the way, don’t get too caught up in Castillo’s spring numbers. La Piedra had an ERA 12.46 in four games last spring before putting on a show during the first month of the 2019 season.

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