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Cincinnati Reds Gifting Anthony DeSclafani 2016 Opening Day Start

Cincinnati Reds Opneing Day Starting Pitcher Anthony DeSclafani

David Kohl – USA Today Sports

Let’s be honest here. This is a gift. By not making any moves to add a veteran starter or two, the Cincinnati Reds have gifted Anthony DeSclafani with the start on Opening Day 2016. Unless Brandon Finnegan makes the start based purely on talent, there is no competition for the second-year pitcher.

This is reminiscent of the pre-Aaron Harang situation for the Reds, when they rolled out such luminaries in a four-year period as Joey Hamilton, Jimmy Haynes, Corey Lidle and Paul Wilson. I would say DeSclafani would rank among those. They went a combined 14-37 for the Reds those seasons, not including Lidle’s 5-2 stretch after he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The other three each saw the end of the their careers shortly after their Opening Day start. Let’s hope that is not the case with DeSclafani.

Looking at the team now, the Reds are probably looking at 60-65 wins. How many wins and losses should DeSclafani be expected to take? The best case scenario for him is probably a record of 12-19 if he earns decisions for all of his starts throughout the season. If the Reds decide to protect his arm, a 4-12 record could be looking DeSclafani right in the face.

If this doesn’t end his career, the experience from pitching against the top pitcher from the other teams will be invaluable for DeSclafani. It will also give him an edge when he becomes arbitration-eligible.

Nick Vorholt is writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds.

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