Cincinnati Reds: 3 key players who’ve underperformed thus far in 2021

It’s hard to be overly critical at this point of the 2021 season. After all, we’re barely three weeks into a 162-game season and the Cincinnati Reds are in first place. Furthermore, the biggest question mark heading into the season, the team’s hitting, has been outstanding to begin the 2021 campaign. So, what’s the problem?

As fans, we’re always looking for our team to be perfect. While perfection is unattainable, it doesn’t mean that Reds Country doesn’t want to see their best players playing up to their potential. Three of Cincinnati’s key players have really struggled out during the first 15 games of the season.

1. Luis Castillo, Reds starting pitcher

Luis Castillo didn’t have it last night. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first such game in which Castillo struggled to perform. La Piedra is the supposed ace of the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff, but to this point, he’s been the weak link of the starting rotation.

Those may seem like harsh words, but they’re accurate. Among all the starting pitchers, Castillo’s 6.05 ERA sticks out like a sore thumb. Of all the Reds pitchers who’ve gone at least 10 innings this season, only Jose De Leon has a higher ERA. Even Sal Romano is sitting at 5.11 through seven relief appearances.

Early-season struggles are nothing new for Luis Castillo, as last season he posted a 4.76 ERA through his first three starts. But, the biggest concern thus far is Castillo’s ability to strikeout the opposing batter. Through the first four games, accounting for 19.1 innings of work, Castillo has only racked up 16 Ks. La Piedra had 26 punch outs through his first 17 innings of work in 2020.

Last season, Luis Castillo’s strikeout-rate was 30.5% and the right-hander had an impressive 11.44 K/9 according to FanGraphs. This season, Castillo’s strikeout-rate is sitting at 17.8% and his K/9 is only 7.45. Something is not right with Castillo, but hopefully Reds’ pitching coach Derek Johnson can get his ace straightened out in the coming weeks.

2. Nick Senzel, Reds outfielder

Nick Senzel has not missed a game this season; so there’s that. But, while health has been the biggest concern during the early part of Senzel’s career, the former first-round pick has hit a snag and he’s currently being platooned with the red-hot Tyler Naquin. Senzel needs to start making contact if he wants to be the team’s everyday centerfielder.

I’m a firm believer that Nick Senzel will figure it out, but the early results haven’t been very promising. While the 25-year-old has shown flashes so far this season, Senzel has been unable to string together consistent at-bats.

Senzel’s current OPS of .526 is lower than any Cincinnati Reds player who has more than 10 at-bats. When Senzel is on base, given his speed and base running ability, he oftentimes scores. However, a .283 on-base percentage is less than ideal.

Nick Senzel has yet to go deep this season. While the former No. 2 overall pick isn’t known as a slugger, I had expected the third-year pro to have at least a couple long balls by now and hopefully finish the season with 20-plus.

It feels as though Senzel is due, but he’s yet to break out in big way this season. He is third on the team in runs scored. In fact, Senzel has scored nearly 77% of the time that he’s reached base. The key for Senzel will be letting the game come to him and not pressing. The most natural thing to do when you’re struggling is to try harder, but Senzel is talented enough that the hits will come.