Reds: 5 prospects who could open 2022 in the starting rotation

The Cincinnati Reds starting rotation is in shambles. After being the team’s biggest strength last season, the Reds’ starting staff has emerged as Cincinnati’s biggest weakness in 2021. But there is hope, as these three young arms are likely to find their way into the rotation by Opening Day in 2022.

Based on what we’ve seen this season, I think it’s safe to say that the Reds starting rotation heading into 2022 will look quite different from the quintet of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Wade Miley, José De León, and Jeff Hoffman. In fact, the Reds could see an entirely different starting rotation next season.

Gray and Castillo were rumored to be on the trade block this past winter, and both could be on their way out of town before next spring. Miley has a $10M team-option heading into the offseason. Hoffman has looked atrocious of late and is arbitration eligible following the 2021 season. And De León is currently licking his wounds in Triple-A.

So, if the Cincinnati Reds do indeed part with all five of this year’s starting pitchers, who among the team’s farm system is most likely to supplant the aforementioned pitchers? Let’s take a look at the five most likely candidates.

1. Nick Lodolo, Reds left-handed pitcher

Nick Lodolo is one of the Cincinnati Reds best young pitching prospects. He’s ranked No. 1 by MLB Pipeline, and is considered the 47th best prospect in all of baseball. Lodolo could be that dominant left-handed pitcher that the Cincinnati faithful have been waiting for.

Lodolo has a good three-pitch mix and sits in the low-to-mid 90s. An advanced arm coming out of Texas Christian University, Lodolo is known for his command of the strike zone. The southpaw was the No. 7 overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Lodolo is currently dominating Double-A, taking home Player of the Week honors for his seven-inning performance last week. Lodolo is likely to make his way to Triple-A Louisville by midseason and may even see September call-up if he continues to mow down opposing batters. Nick Lodolo will almost certainly be part of the Reds rotation in 2022.