Reds are betting on one Chris Paddack trait that could change his trajectory

Injuries have forced the Cincinnati Reds into making a desperate move, signing the uninspiring Chris Paddack following a litany of injuries that have knocked down their vaunted rotation a couple of pegs. The Reds will likely shift Paddack to the bullpen once Rhett Lowder returns from the IL, but if it's going to work, they'll need him to lean into his strengths.

That hasn't happened so far. The 30-year-old doesn't have overpowering stuff, but when he's had successful stretches throughout his career, it's been because he is leaning into his command. Unfortunately, the walks have been an issue for the right-hander, and that's just the start of the problems he encounters when he's not locating well.

The Reds believe that Chris Paddack can lean into his strength

When Paddack isn't locating, it's not only the walks that are a problem. The veteran is walking batters at a 7.9% clip, which, while above average, is a far cry from his stellar 5.4% career rate. When his command goes, in addition to the walks skyrocket, so do the homers and other sorts of damage contact.

His latest start on May 29 against the Atlanta Braves is a perfect example. Paddack gave up a leadoff homer to Ronald Acuña Jr. to begin the game and nearly gave up another to the very next batter, Michael Harris II, if it wasn't for a spectacular robbery by Blake Dunn in right field.

Paddack said following the game that he owes Dunn a steak dinner after the robbery and a great throw to cut down the very next batter, Matt Olson, trying to stretch a single into a double.

"I feel like it's been a trend, unfortunately. I'm just walking guys. I'm getting out of the zone on counts that I usually try to put away guys. That's the easiest way I can say it. It's just frustrating that both of those walks came around to score. You look at my last outing, same thing. Three walks tonight... I just gotta be better, man," Paddack said after expressing his appreciation for Dunn.

The May 29 start represented one of Paddack's "better" outings. He went five innings, allowed four earned runs, and walked three batters, while striking out none.

The 8-3 defeat dropped Paddack to 0-7 on the year, and he has a 6.90 ERA between his stints with the Miami Marlins and here in Cincinnati. Still, Terry Francona has confidence that Paddack can turn it around with the help of pitching coach Derek Johnson.

We've seen control artists pay huge dividends before, so Francona isn't wrong, even if most of Paddack's career has been underwhelming. The key will be unlocking him to the point that he gets back to where he was with his command, and then taking him to the next level.

If the Reds are successful in that endeavor, it will be a huge boost and can pay off with Paddack potentially shifting to long relief once the rotation is back at full strength. The key is shoring up the command, and then letting everything else fall into place as a result.

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