Cody Reed isn’t living up to the lofty expectations that the Cincinnati Reds have for him.
The 23-year-old left-handed power pitcher gave up seven earned runs in just four innings in his most recent start. He now sports a 9.00 ERA after three big league starts.
Part of Reed’s problem is the Reds’ problem. He’s surrounded by players who have quickly grown accustomed to losing. The losing culture in the clubhouse doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
Reds’ manager Bryan Price is the second-worst manager in Reds’ history among managers who have managed at least as many games as Price. Only Dan Howley (1930-1932) has turned out to be a bigger loser than Price.
Reds’ pitching coach Mark Riggins is apparently helpless to do anything to improve the pitching staff. The Reds rank dead last in all of baseball with a 5.38 ERA.
Reed is better served playing for the Triple-A Louisville Bats as long as Price and Riggins remain with the Reds. Louisville pitching coach Ted Power helped Reed and many other pitchers succeed at that level. Reed will be better off spending more time with Power in Louisville than with the Reds.
Reed is an integral part of the Reds’ future. He has learned some valuable lessons during his disappointing 2016 stint. The Reds can always return Reed to the team later without concerns about Super Two salary arbitration status.
Reds’ ownership needs to thoroughly hose out the dugout before Reed returns. That includes Price and Riggins. Plus players on the trading block. Several other players on the Reds’ roster won’t return in 2017. The Reds should release them as soon as possible.
The Reds are on a pace to lose more games than any other team in franchise history. The 1982 team lost 101 games. The 2016 team is on a pace to drop 103 with a .367 winning percentage.
That losing culture is palpable. Reed is better off if he is spared it.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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