Reds' most controversial offseason move is starting to pay huge dividends

Nick Martinez’s qualifying offer made him the highest paid pitcher in Cincinnati Reds history, and fans have understandably held him to high standards ever since. Nothing would burn Reds fans more than watching their $21 million guy relegated to a middle relief role. The righty’s first five starts of the season seemed to be leading him to the bullpen, but a recent run of success has Martinez back in form and in Cincinnati fans’ good graces.

After a tough-luck loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 20, Martinez has logged five straight quality starts. Over that span, he has a 1.74 ERA and 20 strikeouts against just four walks. This improved control is the surest sign that Martinez is getting back to his 2024 form. He walked nine batters — half of his total for all of last season — in his first five starts this year.

Nick Martinez is finally looking like the rotation piece the Reds need

The timing couldn’t be better for the Reds. The club has had to lean on the bullpen due to injuries to starters, and Martinez has gobbled up innings for the past month. He has completed at least six innings in each of his past five starts, which has helped preserve the bullpen arms.

Martinez has also kept the ball on the ground more consistently. In his past two starts, he has a ground-ball rate above 50%. Unlike the past two seasons, Martinez has struggled to get opposing batters to chase his pitches outside the zone, so he needs to ensure weak contact in the absence of whiffs.

With Ian Gibaut and Hunter Greene back from injury and Wade Miley surprising in the minors, Martinez is forcing the club to keep him in the rotation. This inning-eating success all but guarantees Martinez another month or so in a starting role.

Whether Martinez can continue this hot streak, though, is up for debate. Just a month and a half into the season, he’s already a third of the way toward breaking his career high for innings pitched. He hasn’t played a full season as a starter since 2021, and the Reds have several prospects knocking on the door of the rotation. If the team’s highest-paid player starts to slump, he just might find himself packing his bags for a trip to another club rather than to the bullpen.

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