Will be curious to see how Bell & Krall narrow the starting rotation down by opening day should everyone make it through ST healthy.
A healthy Frankie Montas is starting. No 2 ways about it.
Hunter Greene is paid to be ace of this Reds staff and that is just how they view him at this time. Fine with me.
Andrew Abbott - LHP. Did absolutely nothing to lose a starting spot.
Can't imagine a scenario in which Graham Ashcraft is not in the rotation.
Leaves the 5th and final spot with multiple options unless they use a 6-man rotation.
Every article I have read seems to point towards Nick Martinez being that veteran innings eater many of us have wanted the Reds to sign. Have to note that he benefited tremendously from the advantages of pitching in Petco Park (2.60 ERA) compared to somewhere like GABP now and his road numbers last year were definitely higher (4.50 ERA). He is a swingman pitcher who also could really benefit this Reds team in a setup role/middle relief as well. That is where I would like to see him in with so many options to start but my gut says he probably will make the rotation.
Nick Lodolo - LHP. Still think his long-term future is as a starter though he has missed more time than any of the Reds young pitchers. Will be interesting to watch what the Reds plans are for him. He has a lot to prove this spring to earn a rotation spot.
Brandon Williamson - LHP. He had his solid moments last year and never was quite the same after COVID late last year. Could be a rubber arm out of the bullpen and a spot starter should anything happen to the starters above in case of an injury or getting ran from a game early.
Connor Phillips - He has a bright future and may very well be a part of the rotation for years to come. I think he starts the season in AAA to get more seasoning.
Other options - Carson Spiers, Chase Petty, Christian Roa & Lyon Richardson. Anyone else within the organization that could possibly find their way into the equation it would be a worst-case scenario much like last year.
TIFWIW, Bell said that the plans are to use spot starts throughout the season in order to skip starts for rest rather than employing a 6-man rotation.
Not sure how Christian Roa is factoring into the picture until he proves himself at the AAA level first. His numbers are not that impressive. Lyon Richardson needs to pitch deeper into games if he plans to start at the MLB level. He missed the entire 2022 season so hopefully he takes the next step forward. Could fill the role as a long reliever out of the bullpen since he is good for 3-4 innings currently. His innings total was still 7 off from the point he was at in 2021 before the injury shut him down. Of course no MILB in 2020 and pitched 112 innings in 2019.
Julian Aguiar is one not on your list that if all hell breaks loose again with an injury-plagued season, he could come into the picture. Before then, you would have to imagine the Reds would turn to less exciting options like Connor Overton & Brett Kennedy with experience in Cincinnati before they reach for Aguiar or any of last year's promising young college pictures from the draft.
