The rise of Brandon Finnegan from reliever to starter for the Cincinnati Reds began last year. Now it looks like Finnegan is set to stay in the Reds’ rotation to open 2016.
The 22-year-old left-hander started four games for the Reds in 2015. He was unconvincing as a starter overall last year with a 4.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 innings. Still, Finnegan showed enough promise last year to warrant consideration for a rotation spot this year.
Finnegan hasn’t been overpowering as a starter in spring training this year. He has a 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 10 innings.
In his last outing against his former team the Kansas City Royals, Finnegan went 4.1 innings for his longest outing of the spring. He is likely to throw more than five innings his next time out.
The Reds acquired Finnegan as part of the Johnny Cueto deal last year before the trade deadline. Finnegan was one of three left-handed starting pitchers to come to the Reds in the deal. Those three including John Lamb and especially Cody Reed could be part of the Reds’ rotation for the next few years.
Finnegan deserves his opportunity to remain in the Reds’ rotation this year, but he has benefited from the attrition that has reduced the number of starters competing for spots.
Lamb won’t start the season with the Reds due to offseason back surgery.
Second-year starter Michael Lorenzen suffered a setback with elbow soreness that has halted his spring training for now.
Raisel Iglesias just recently made his spring training debut and will need to stretch out quickly to be ready for his first turn in the rotation in the regular season.
When these starters and ace Homer Bailey all return to full speed, Finnegan may have to work hard to keep his rotation spot. But for now, the Reds are lucky to him healthy and effective.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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