Reds August 2023 thread

[*bengalfan74*]

(08-23-2023, 11:36 AM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: His grandmother passed away right before his April 26th start against the Rangers. He dedicated that game to her, as they had a very special relationship (I think she had a big hand in raising him, but I forget the exact details). He pitched well that game, and then he pitched well on May 2nd against the Padres, but then his slide began. I've heard people talk about it as if to imply he was struggling with her death and that may be one of the causes of his poor performance in May and June. 

He went on the IL after his June 8th start, came back on June 24th, got roughed up by the Braves in his first start back, but after that game is when he seemed to be back. From that point, he has had 10 starts. He went at least 6 innings in 9 of those starts, all 9 of which were quality starts (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER). The one game that was not 6 IP was 5.1 IP and he only allowed 2 runs in that game. He was probably taken out strictly for pitch count purposes (he had walked 4 batters and was at 110 pitches).

That's the consistency of an Ace, and that's who I believe he is. I would prefer he be the day 1 starter next season, as he has proven over these last 10 starts that he is, by far, the most consistent and productive starter on this team. 

In 43 career starts, Ashcraft has 23 quality starts (53.5%). In 39 career starts, Hunter Greene has 14 (35.9%). I hope the Reds realize that Ashcraft is their best starting pitcher (other than Abbott, perhaps, but he's a rookie so we'll see how he continues to develop).

Agree,

In my mind both Ashcraft and Abbott have leap frogged over Greene in #1 and #2 pitchers. 

Lets face it Greene still has a lot to prove, in my opinion anyways. I'll be honest and say I was pretty shocked when they gave him Votto's old contract with so small a resume, ALREADY.

I mean if you throw out all the fanfare of the draft (100 MPH fastball flame thrower) from 3 years ago. When we all were begging for some good news.

He hasn't really done much! Other than have a good bit of K's. 

I think Larkin hit the nail on the head the other night. It's not Greene's velocity, it's his placement of both fastballs and his offspeed stuff. He's grooving fastballs belt high and middle of the plate/out. ML hitters can paste that pitch even at 100. He has to get it a bit further out and/or a bit further up.

And he has to get better placement and break on his offspeed stuff. I'm not trying to bash the guy. I still think he can turn into a dominant starter. He is just 24. I'm hoping anyways.