Reds: 2 players who justified team’s faith and 1 who hasn’t

Tyler Mahle has rewarded the Reds’ faith as the team’s best starter.

Tyler Mahle has improved beyond measure over the past two seasons. The former fifth-round pick has finally turned the corner, and the Cincinnati Reds are being rewarded handsomely for sticking with Mahle through the tough stuff.

Last season, Mahle was not supposed to be a starting pitcher in the big leagues. Prior to the season, after the Reds had signed left-handed starter Wade Miley, it was assumed that Mahle would be optioned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season while Miley, Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Anthony DeSclafani pitched every fifth day in the majors.

As it turned out, the coronavirus pandemic, and some early-season injuries to both Miley and DeSclafani found Cincinnati in need of an additional starting pitcher. Mahle exceeded expectations, going 2-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 10 games, nine of which were starts. This season, however, Mahle has established himself as, perhaps, the Reds best starting pitcher.

Tyler Mahle is 5-2 in 12 starts this season and is currently carrying a 3.32 ERA. If you throw out two of Mahle’s worst starts (May 2nd versus the Cubs and May 20th versus the Giants), Mahle hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his other 10 starts.

Where Mahle has struggled this season is efficiency. The right-hander has struggled to get past the fifth inning on five occasions this season. If Mahle can continue to build on the progress he’s made thus far in 2021, he could looking at a contract extension this winter.