Fantasy baseball: 2020 Cincinnati Reds fantasy preview

2020 Cincinnati Reds projected starting rotation

Luis Castillo, RHP (15-8, 3.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 226 K in 190.2 IP)
Sonny Gray, RHP (11-8, 2.87 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 205 K in 175.1 IP)
Trevor Bauer, RHP (11-13, 4.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 253 K in 213 IP with CLE/CIN)
Anthony DeSclafani, RHP (9-9, 3.89 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 167 K in 166.2 IP)
Wade Miley, LHP (14-6, 3.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 140 K in 167.1 IP with HOU)
Raisel Iglesias, RHP (3-12, 4.16 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 89 K in 67 IP, 34/40 saves)

This rotation is loaded. Castillo has turned into a bona fide ace. He’s not quite a first round pick yet, but I have no issues making him my number one pitcher in the mid second round. There’s reason to believe that Castillo could be even better. He allowed just 139 hits in 190.2 innings last year! If he cuts down the walks, his WHIP will be in Gray territory.

I was one of the guys that thought Gray might struggle in Great American Launching Pad, but I was wrong. Gray put together the best season of his career in nearly every category. He’s a strong second or third starter in your fantasy rotation.

Bauer’s high strikeout totals are likely going to have him going before Gray in some leagues, but it may be a trap. Bauer had a 3.79 ERA at the time of the trade with 185 K in 156.2 innings with the Indians. He was just 2-5 with a 6.39 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 68 K in 56.1 Cincinnati innings. For that reason, I’ll be perfectly happy with Gray. If Bauer falls to the right spot I’ll pounce, but he hasn’t in any mocks yet.

DeSclafani put up solid numbers. Solid enough to keep around at the end of your rotation. He’s a decent option in most leagues and a good streaming option in all leagues.

Miley caught lightning in a bottle last year. This park favors lefties a little more, but there’s no way Miley puts up the numbers he did last year. I don’t see him as an option in 12 team leagues or smaller. Maybe he’s a decent streamer on the road, but the 1.34 WHIP is about the only think that may carry over from last year.

It was a disappointing season for Iglesias last year, especially for those of us that drafted him just after the elite closers were gone. A lot of the damage to his ERA and WHIP were done in non-save situations. In a 100 game season, Iglesias should still get plenty of chances with this team.

If you don’t trust Iglesias, I’m a huge fan of Amir Garrett. Garrett has elite strikeout totals just like Iglesias and solid peripherals if he can cut down on the walks.

Prospects to watch:

Miley is likely just keeping the seat warm for Nick Lodolo, but he shouldn’t arrive until next season. The number 7 overall pick in the 2019 draft is good for dynasty leagues, but that’s about it right now. Same with Hunter Greene. They are the future for the Reds, but neither should debut this season.

The most likely to take Miley’s spot this year is probably Reiver Sanmartin. He had good numbers at AAA Louisville last year, but there are several other pitching prospects that could leap over him this year. As of now, none should be on your radar.

There are 20 more of these where this came from! Sports may be on hold, but we will have baseball sometime this season. We here at FanSided Fantasy are going to make sure you’re prepared!