![]() 2021 first-round pick SS Matt McClain was among the final cuts last year and could very well start next year with the Reds as well. The Reds have future star SS Elly De La Cruz tearing up the minors and he could very well supplant Jose Barrero as the starting shortstop next year. Pitching is not the only area where they will get help either. Greene and Lodolo are currently on rehab assignments and are set to rejoin the big club soon. What will give the Reds fans the most to look forward to in 2023 is their three-headed rookie monster starting rotation, led by young fireballer Hunter Greene (5.26 ERA and 127 strikeouts), crafty lefty Nick Lodolo (3.95 ERA and 91 strikeouts), and the surprise of the group Graham Ashcraft (3.97 ERA and only 23 walks). Jake Fraley has hit well since coming back from the IL. Rookie Alexis Diaz, younger brother of New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, has dominated hitters this season and may just have stolen the closer job from Antone. Their top bullpen arms have spent time on the IL including Tejay Antone, who underwent Tommy John surgery, and Lucas Sims who has been sidelined most of the year with back injuries. They have started seven different catchers. Their star catcher Tyler Stephenson also had multiple stints on the IL and he, like Votto, is out for the season with a broken clavicle. Jonathan India, Nick Senzel, Mike Moustakas, and future Hall of Famer Joey Votto have had multiple stints on the IL, with Votto being lost for the year with a torn rotator cuff injury. The Reds have been decimated with injuries this year, having every position player in their starting nine spend time on the Injured List. At one point the Reds were on a historic pace for the worst all-time record in MLB history but they have clawed their way to fourth place in the National League Central, just two games behind the Chicago Cubs. While, in the end, the Yankees will be in the playoffs and are legitimate contenders for the World Series title, the Reds have found a way to fight their way out of the cellar, in a reflection of the “never say die” attitude of their manager David Bell. The trend has also continued to start the month of September, entering play tonight the Reds are 4-2 and the Yankees 4-3. Also, what might be even more impressive is the fact that the Reds have put up better records than the New York Yankees in July (14-12 to the Yankees 13-13) and August (11-17 to the Yankees 10-18). The Reds have an almost identical record as their division rivals the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers were 18-8 and in first place. The Cincinnati Reds started the season 3-22. There may be hope for Reds fans in the future. ![]() While their current record, 55-80, all but eliminates them from playoff contention. ![]() Prior to the game Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini, in response to a question about fan loyalty uttered his famous lines, “Where you gonna go?” The Reds then proceeded to tie the 2003 Detroit Tigers for the worst start to a season going 3-22 (.120) for the whole month of April. Seemingly, this is where the wheels started to fall off for the Reds. Then the Reds returned home to open the season at Great American Ballpark to face in-state rivals the Cleveland Guardians in a battle for the Ohio Cup (awarded to the series winner each year). The Reds took games one and four in a series split with the champs. They had to open against the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, at Truist Park in Atlanta. ![]() The Reds, Major League Baseball’s oldest franchise, started the season on the road for just the second time since their last World Series title in 1990 when they swept the overwhelming favorite Oakland Athletics. ![]() Finally, closer Amir Garrett was sent to the Royals for Mike Minor. In March, Sonny Gray was dealt to the Twins for 19-year-old pitcher Chase Petty and fan favorites Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez were dealt to the Seattle Mariners for a haul that included pitcher RHP Justin Dunn who was on the injured list, and OF Jake Fraley, and Baseball America’s #5 ranked and top 100 prospect LHP Brandon Williamson and a player to be named later, which turned out to be the Mariners Baseball America’s #15 prospect RHP Connor Phillips. In November 2021, the Reds traded long-time catcher Tucker Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers for a minor leaguer and lost pitcher Wade Miley on waivers to the Cubs. In response to that press conference, the Reds made many moves in the offseason. ![]()
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