3 backend starters the Reds could sign to a minor-league contract

2. Chad Kuhl could sign a minor-league contract with the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds fans should be quite familiar with Chad Kuhl. A ninth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013, Kuhl spent five years with the Buccos before joining the Colorado Rockies in 2022.

Last season, Kuhl made 27 starts that covered 137 innings. The right-hander went 6-11 with a 5.72 ERA, which was over 1.00 higher than he'd poste during his time in the Steel City. Of course, the thin air in Denver is never friendly to pitchers.

However, his home/ road splits reveal that Kuhl was actually better in the hitter-friendly Coors Field than he was on the road. At home, Kuhl posted a 5.04 ERA and opposing hitter slashed just .275/.330/.459. But on the road, Kuhl allowed the opposition to light him up to the tune of .292/.376/.536.

Kuhl was quite susceptible to the long ball, but 15 of his 25 home runs allowed came while he was on the road. Kuhl struck out a total of 110 batters and owned a 1.555 WHIP. However, his BB/9 of 3.8 was the lowest the right-hander had seen since 2018.

Chad Kuhl hasn't had the best track record at Great American Ball Park with a 5.49 ERA in four starts. But if the Cincinnati Reds are looking for a backend starter who could gobble up innings, Kuhl might not be such a bad choice.