Innings limits for Reds pitchers

[HammerTime]

BAR: Innings limits for Reds pitchers

 

The Blog Above Replacement is a daily look at the Reds, their minor leagues and whatever else is on the mind of Enquirer Reds beat writers, C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan.

 

Left-hander Brandon Finnegan tossed six quality innings for the Cincinnati Reds last night against the St. Louis Cardinals, bringing his total for the season to 129 1/3 innings. The Reds haven't specified what his innings limit will be, but he'll likely move to the bullpen sometime this month in order to keep him pitching through the end of the season.

 

Finnegan won't be the only Reds pitcher approaching an innings threshold. The rule of thumb is an increase of more than 30 innings per year is dangerous -- although that's less than scientific -- so let's take a look at when various pitchers could hit that mark.

 

Brandon Finnegan: The 23-year-old currently sits at 129 1/3 innings. He threw 105 1/3 last year between the majors and the minors -- and between the Kansas City Royals and the Reds -- which means he could hit that 30-inning increase his next start. But his case is a little different. Finnegan threw 145 innings in 2014 between college, the minors and the majors, including six frames in the postseason. That sets his mark a little higher and explains why the Reds aren't talking about shutting him down but moving him to the bullpen instead.

 

Cody Reed: Reed has thrown 111 1/3 innings between the majors and minors this year. He previously topped out at 145 2/3 innings last season, all of which he spent in the minors. That gives him some room to play with, and it's conceivable that he finishes the season without shooting past that 30-inning increase.

 

Robert Stephenson: Stephenson threw 134 innings last year, which was actually slightly less than he managed the year before. He'll reach that mark pretty soon in 2016, as he's at 127 2/3 innings between the minors and two spot starts in the majors. There might be room for a start or two in September, but innings will be an issue for the former first-round pick.

 

Amir Garrett: Garrett logged 140 1/3 innings last year, so he's in better position than Stephenson to get a sniff in September. Right now, he's at 120 innings, so he'll reach last year's mark by the end of the month. But that gives him 30 innings to play with in September. We'll see if the team deems him ready, though. He could perhaps be a Fall League candidate instead.

[NKY Bandit]

I know several I'd like to limit to zero.

 

Yes, I'd be in favor of innings limits for the young guys. You've got lots of arms, let's see how they perform as we wrap up the season.

[Jim Schue]

I know several I'd like to limit to zero.

 

Yes, I'd be in favor of innings limits for the young guys. You've got lots of arms, let's see how they perform as we wrap up the season.

 

This. No sense in blowing out arms in a chase for 4th place.