So many questions have surrounded the Reds this spring. Questions surrounding players such as Sonny Gray (SP), Yasiel Puig (OF), and Nick Senzel (who knows), some of which are still unknown.
Two things, however, will be certain this spring in Cincinnati: Taxes, and Luis Castillo starting on Opening Day 2019.
The pitching staff this year could be a hit or a miss this season depending on many factors. Sonny Gray was terrible after being traded to the Yankees in 2017. The former Oakland Athletic was solid for multiple years in Oakland but fell apart in 2016 suffering multiple injuries. Many predict being in a smaller market team could improve him greatly while others believe his best days are behind him.
The 2019 Reds starting rotation ?⚾ #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/RZkaxveUx7
— Cincinnati ? (@CincyProblems) March 20, 2019
Luis Castillo has officially been named the Opening Day 2019 starter for the Reds. With just one week until the fun starts in Cincinnati, we now know who will start game 1 out of 162. Despite this only being his third season on the Major League team, Castillo will be the only of the four guaranteed consistent starters to have played on the Reds before this season.
Despite low win percentages over the last few years, Castillo has been able to light up the radar gun with decent all-around stats. This year could be a breakout year for Castillo as he looks to take over the rotation and become a household name.
Starter Tanner Roark was acquired in December of 2018 from the Washington Nationals in exchange for Tanner Rainey. Roark has had some phenomenal seasons including a 16-10 record in 2016 and a 7-1 rookie season. Roark was dealt by the Nats last year after a career high 15 losses. Tanner Roark is looking to repeat his former success from 2013-17 where he had a winning record 4 of 5 seasons. The star studded lineup of the Reds should be a great help for a bounce-back season for Roark.
Alex Wood will begin the season on the 10 day injured list, and should be back soon enough. He should be a good fourth man and left-hander in the rotation after being acquired as a sleeper in the Yasiel Puig trade. As for the fifth spot, only time will tell as Tyler Mahle battles with Anthony Desclafani for the spot.
We will see over time what will happen for this Reds rotation, but if there is one certain thing, they should be the most exciting Reds team to watch in years.
