Projecting the 2022 Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster 1.0

Cincinnati Reds starting rotation (5)

Luis Castillo (RHP), Tyler Mahle (RHP), Vladimir Gutierrez (RHP), Reiver Sanmartin (LHP), Riley O'Brien (RHP)

With Wade Miley off to the Chicago Cubs and Sonny Gray off to the Minnesota Twins, the Cincinnati Reds are left with only 60% of their starting rotation from a year ago. While Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft will certainly be in the mix, until we see how the young trio performs, I'm hesitant to put them on the Opening Day roster.

Of the three, I think Greene has the best chance to make a run at the Opening Day roster. The former first-round pick dismantled hitters at Double-A last season and got several starts at Triple-A Louisville as well. Greene is, without question, a more talented pitcher than Riley O'Brien, the question is whether or not the Reds want to see more of Greene in the minors before calling him up to the bigs.

As for the other four spots, I feel very confident including the trio of Tyler Mahle, Luis Castillo, and Vladimir Gutierrez. Barring another trade, these three should be atop the Cincinnati starting rotation in 2022.

Reiver Sanmartin finally made his major league debut in 2021 and performed very well, albeit agains the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. If Sanmartin pitches well in spring training, I think it's safe to pencil in the left-hander as the No. 4 starting pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation.