Don't sleep on Reiver Sanmartin joining the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation in 2022

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Reiver Sanmartin surprised many fans with his performance at the tail end of the 2021 season.

Sanmartin got the call after spending the majority of the season with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate.

Sanmartin appeared in 21 games for the Louisville Bats, including 14 starts, and posted a 3.94 ERA with 89 punch outs over 82.1 innings of work.

Don't sleep on Reiver Sanmartin joining the Reds rotation in 2022.

Reiver Sanmartin gained two starts for the Reds in 2021, both against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The southpaw went 11.2 innings, struck out 11 Buccos, and allowed just two earned runs.

Depending on which starters are still part of the Cincinnati Reds rotation heading into next season, Sanmartin is a very viable option to get the ball every fifth day.

I think a lot of fans are excited to see both Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo debut in 2022.

While I count myself among them, let's not sleep on Reiver Sanmartin. The lefty is currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League and putting up phenomenal stats.

Sanmartin has started seven games and posted a 1.74 ERA over 31 innings in the DOWL.

The left-hander has just 19 strikeouts, but his WHIP is sitting at 0.871, and no one has taken Sanmartin deep.

It's not often that Reiver Sanmartin is victimized by the long ball. The 25-year-old gave up just six dingers at Triple-A Louisville last season in 82.1 innings.

During his five minor league seasons, Sanmartin's HR/9 is sitting at just 0.5. To put it in perspective, last season at Triple-A, Hunter Greene posted a 1.52 HR/9.

There's little doubt that the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation is in flux.

Wade Miley is now part of the Chicago Cubs rotation, and the trio of Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Luis Castillo are all rumored to be possible trade targets of other organizations.

Vladimir Gutierrez might be the only pitcher guaranteed to be part of the Reds 2022 starting rotation, but his performance over the final two months of 2021 has to give the front office cause to pause.

Don't sleep on Reiver Sanmartin opening the 2022 season as part of the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation.