Reds: 3 under-performers who are key to sub-.500 record

3. Luis Castillo, Reds right-handed starter

There hasn’t been a bigger disappointment for the Cincinnati Reds this season than Luis Castillo. The Reds Opening Day starter is 1-8 with a 7.22 ERA. Castillo has allowed 70 hits this season and only struck out 48 batters. Sonny Gray has 60 punch outs in two fewer starts. Castillo has a .321 batting average against. What in the world is wrong with Luis Castillo?

Castillo’s poor outings have cost the Reds dearly. If the right-hander had been on his game in just half his starts this season, I could make the argument that the Reds would currently be at least a .500 ball club.

Whatever is ailing Castillo, Derek Johnson and the Reds coaching staff need to correct it quickly. Only two pitchers (Kyle Hendricks and Zach Eflin) have allowed more hits than Luis Castillo this season, and both have logged at least 10 more innings of work. Castillo is supposed to be a strikeout pitcher, but his strikeout-rate this season is a dismal 19.3% according to FanGraphs.

How much longer will the Cincinnati Reds roll out Luis Castillo every fifth day? The team’s supposed ace has two minor league options remaining, and while some would think the idea is ludicrous, allowing him to “work it out” hasn’t seemed to yield any real success of yet.

The Cincinnati Reds were counting on Luis Castillo to be their best starter, Amir Garrett to be their best reliever, and Eugenio Suarez to be their best position player. All three have fallen woefully short of expectations to this point.