Reds: Tony Santillan should replace Jeff Hoffman in the rotation

Jeff Hoffman’s time in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation should soon be coming to an end. In fact, David Bell and Derek Johnson should have already pulled the plug. If Tony Santillan keeps dealing for the Louisville Bats, the front office won’t be able to keep him there for much longer.

Santillan failed to get the win in yesterday’s contest versus the Memphis Redbirds, but it was in no way related to the 24-year-old’s performance. Santillan was dealing, going six innings, allowing just three hits, ands striking out seven batters.

Tony Santillan should replace Jeff Hoffman in the Reds rotation.

Jeff Hoffman’s numbers are not good. While we here at Blog Red Machine have bemoaned Luis Castillo’s horrendous start to the season, Hoffman has been equally as bad and does not deserve the long leash that Castillo’s been allowed to have.

Hoffman is 2-3 with a 4.67 ERA. While those numbers aren’t terrible, Hoffman has failed to pitch more than four inning in his previous three starts. Over that time, he’s walked six batters, allowed 13 hits, and nine earned runs in just 10.1 innings of work. Hoffman’s ERA over his last three starts is 7.84 and he owns an .896 OPS-against.

Tony Santillan, on the other hand, has been nothing short of outstanding while pitching for Triple-A Louisville. During his three starts this season, Santillan has struck out 20 batters in 14 innings and walked only four. His ERA currently stands at a sterling 0.64. Only Drew Strotman (0.56) of the Durham Bulls has thrown as many innings and has a better ERA.

 It’s time for the Reds to move Jeff Hoffman to the bullpen.

Jeff Hoffman belongs in the bullpen, and there’s one glaringly obvious stat to prove it. The first time through the batting order, opposing hitters are slashing just .203/.292/.344. Hoffmann has only allowed two runs to score while pitching to his opponents the first time through the order. Both of those runs have come courtesy of the long ball.

However, when opposing teams get a second crack at Hoffman, the results are drastically different. Hoffman allows teams to light him up to the tune of .302/.424/.566 when they come to the plate for a second time.

Hoffman could play a solid role for the Reds in relief. The right-hander could go an inning or two, and probably handle himself quite well. But, as far as starting pitchers go, it’s time for David Bell to hand the reins over to Tony Santillan and see what the flame throwing right-hander can do.