Cincinnati Reds: Stock up, stock down
One of the biggest surprises of the season, the Cincinnati Reds are currently leading the National League Central division with a record of 43-38. With an electric offense, the pitching staff is still trying to figure it out on the go with their starters posting a 5.91 ERA compared to the 3.91 allowed by relievers.
Here are a few players trending up and down so far in 2023.
Stock Up
Rookie hitters: With three rookie hitters all warranting Rookie of the Year consideration, the Reds are looking like a team that could be an offensive juggernaut before the season is over.
One of the most exciting players in baseball, infielder Elly De La Cruz, has filled the seats in Cincinnati since his arrival. After hitting for the cycle in just the 15th game of his career, De La Cruz has hit .301 with three home runs and 11 RBI while adding nine stolen bases in only 20 games played. Standing 6'5", the switch-hitting De La Cruz has a unique blend of speed and power which has led to some of the highest exit velocities and the fastest sprint speed in the league.
Slugging shortstop Matt McLain has been one of the toughest at-bats since being called up. In 40 games played, the 23-year-old has hit .316 with 22 XBH and 25 RBI while batting second for the revamped Reds lineup. He is also doing a good job with the glove, accounting for two defensive runs saved on the season.
Versatile first baseman Spencer Steer struggled in his 28 games with the Reds at the end of the 2022 season, but he has bounced back in a major way posting a .279 average with 12 home runs and 46 RBI while playing first base, third base and left field.
Alexis Diaz, pitcher: A perfect 22 for 22 on save attempts in 2023, Diaz has improved on a stellar rookie campaign last season. In his two seasons for the Reds, Diaz has a 10-4 record with a 1.82 ERA, 32 for 36 on save opportunities and has allowed opposing hitters to hit .130 against him.
With the rotation having its struggles, having Diaz close games out has given Reds fans a sense of relief when he takes the mound and is a major reason why the team has been hot in 2023.
Stock Down
Graham Ashcraft, pitcher: After an outstanding month of April that saw Ashcraft go 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts, his season has taken a disastrous turn. In his nine starts since April, Ashcraft has gone 3-6 with an 11.08 ERA, allowing opposing hitters to slash an eye-popping .367/.426/.633 during that span.
One of the bright spots to being the season, Ashcraft has not been able to get hitters out and has essentially lost his spot in the starting rotation. While still only 25, this season could be hard to recover from given his extended inability to make competitive pitches.
Nick Lodolo, pitcher: Like Ashcraft, Lodolo was off to a hot start, striking out 27 batters over his first three starts posting a 2-0 record and 2.12 ERA.
A 2019 first-round pick, Lodolo was expected to be a major piece of their rotation, but after seeing his numbers balloon over his next four starts there was cause for concern, and he was then shut down due to a stress reaction in his leg.
The Reds will hope that Lodolo's dip was due to injury and that he can return to the form he started 2023 with.
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