Reds September Games Thread

[*bengalfan74*]

(10-02-2023, 01:35 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I think two guys with a 4.00 ERA that can go out there and throw >150 innings would be easier to get and get the job done. 

Pretty much nobody the Reds have are reliable to pitch a full season. They need some slightly above average stability in their rotation. Would also do wonders to keep the bullpen from getting so burnt out if there were multiple guys who could be relied upon to go over 5 innings every outing.

Not flashy, but you put the 2023 version of former Reds Michael Lorenzen (4.18 ERA, 153 IP, 105 ERA+) and Josiah Gray (3.91 ERA, 159 IP, 110 ERA+) on the roster at the start of the season and they easily walk into the postseason.

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Pitching aside, they also need to stop striking out so damn much (5th in MLB), and add a HR slugger.

Play half our games in GAPB and our home run leader had 23 and the 2nd place weighs 180lbs and had 18.

That's an embarrassing lack of HRs in a HR park. 40-year-old Votto coming off shoulder surgery having just 242 PA was 6th on our team in HRs. Bleh.

I agree with you mostly. I just feel we need pitching waayyy worse than a slugger.

Hunter Greene 24 so he's still young, however: Unless he can develop another offspeed pitch he can throw for strikes I think his peak is like a #3 starter. He's just to inconsistent to be much above a like 7-10 game winner, 4.00+ ERA and not very many innings.

Graham Ashcraft 25 so still in the considered young range, however: 7-9 with 4.76 ERA and a WHIP of 1.37 and 145 innings pitched doesn't fill me with confidence he can be a true #2 To be fair he pitched some excellent games this season. But he had some awful ones as well. And when the rubber meets the road it's about results, not the excuses.

Andrew Abbott 24 still a youngin, however: I worry A LOT about his endurance. Only 109 innings pitched this season and he was burnt out at like 75. His stat line is the best on the team basically speaking. 8-6 3.87 ERA 1.32 WHIP But I have serious doubts he's going to be anywhere near ready to pitch 180 - 200 innings next season as a true #2 winning 13 games or whatever?

Nick Lodolo 25 : has flashed being a real goodin ! First 3 or 4 games this season he was on fire. Then the injury. To me he's just to big a question mark to count on him being an upper level pitcher. I sure do hope though. It's great to have a top notch lefty.

Connor Phillips 22 : just still way to early to make anything of him

Brandon Williamson 25 : At best he's like a #5 starter 

In summary I just strongly feel we need a 200 inning proven vet ACE type pitcher and another 180 inning proven #2. We can't afford to waste another season hoping these guys develop