Only the Braves' Spencer Strider is having a better rookie season than Reds' starter Nick Lodolo

The Cincinnati Reds have three rookie starters who've gone to hill 15 or more times during the 2022 season. The future is bright for the Reds starting staff, but Nick Lodolo may well be the best rookie pitcher in the National League aside from Atlanta Braves' starter Spencer Strider.

Lodolo pitched a gem on Friday night in Milwaukee. The left-hander set a career-high in innings pitched (8) and strikeouts (11) while only allowing two runs to dent the plate.

The performance against the Brewers was Lodolo's best of the season and should at least get him into the conversation for NL Rookie of the Year.

Reds' rookie Nick Lodolo has put together a terrific 2022 campaign.

Nick Lodolo was out of the Cincinnati Reds rotation and on the injured list for about two months. Had it not been for that IL stint, the southpaw may be getting even more recognition for his tremendous performance as a rookie in 2022.

That said, had Lodolo not gone to the IL, he may very well not be pitching into September due to innings restrictions. As it stands, Lodolo will probably avoid being shut down and should be able to toe the rubber every fifth day through the end of the season.

When you compare the stats of Nick Lodolo and Spencer Strider, you won't see too many differences. Strider, who began the season as a reliever, has a 2.80 ERA in 18 starts for the Braves his season. According to FanGraphs, he 23-year-old has a 37.9% strikeout-rate with 146 punch outs in 96.1 innings of work.

Lodolo owns a 29.3% strikeout-rate in 81 innings pitched. But in his last five starts, the left-hander has seemed to find his stride. Lodolo has posted a 30.6% strikeout-rate and, even more impressive, a walk-rate of just 4.8% in his last 33.1 innings of work. Lodolo has 25 strikeouts in his last three outings and only two walks.

Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft, both of whom are expected to return from the IL sometime later this month, have stolen the headlines this season. But Nick Lodolo may well be the Cincinnati Reds best rookie pitcher.