The Cincinnati Reds’ future is now with Nick Lodolo
By David Hill
It would certainly appear as though the Cincinnati Reds are rebuilding. They parted ways with several players due to their salary and are relying upon two of their top prospects to fill out the rotation. Hunter Greene already made his major league debut and impressed with his high velocity fastball. On Wednesday, it will be Nick Lodolo’s turn as he is set to make his debut.
Not only is Lodolo one of the top prospects in the Reds’ system, but he is also considered one of the top arms in the game. MLB.com ranks Lodolo as the Reds’ second best prospect and the 42nd best prospect in the game.
What to expect from Nick Lodolo in his Cincinnati Reds debut
It is easy to see why Lodolo is so highly regarded. His sinking fastball sits in the low 90s, but has gotten as high as 97 MPH at times. That is backed up by a low 80s slider that has added movement across the plate since he was drafted and a solid fading changeup. Add in his plus command, and Lodolo has the potential to be a top of the rotation arm.
That potential was apparent in his performance in 2021. Lodolo posted a 2.31 ERA and a 0.971 WHiP in his 50.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, striking out 78 batters with 11 walks while allowing just three homers. However, he also missed time due to blister issues and a strained shoulder last season.
Chances are, the Reds are going to be cautious with Lodolo’s workload this season. Although he is healthy, it is better to keep an eye out for the future. He is likely to have a few shorter outings, especially at the beginning of his major league career, and could get extra rest between starts as they manage his innings.
That will likely be the case in his debut. Lodolo is not likely to pitch deep into the game, but he should still be able to showcase his immense potential in that debut. Hopefully, it will be a sign of things to come for the Reds.
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Nick Lodolo is set to make his major league debut on Wednesday. If everything goes according to plan, the Cincinnati Reds will get a look at the future.