Lodolo 'crisp' in spring's 1st rotation audition

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- After two big league camps, Reds starting pitching prospect Nick Lodolo is vying for a rotation spot for the first time. Lodolo’s quest to make the team began well on Friday vs. the Guardians.

During a 3-2 Reds loss at Goodyear Ballpark, Lodolo looked crisp as he struck out four batters over two perfect innings -- including whiffing the side in the bottom of the second.

“I felt like I was moving down the mound really well today, and 'crisp' is the perfect way to put it,” said Lodolo, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati’s No. 2 prospect and No. 42 overall. “It felt good to be back out there. I felt healthy, I felt strong, so it was good.”

Lodolo, 24, was part of the Reds’ early Minor League camp and has been in Arizona for a month. It showed as he faced Cleveland’s hitters. His other outs were a pair of routine ground balls in the first inning. In the second inning, he struck out Franmil Reyes, Bobby Bradley and Bradley Zimmer.

“It was really good to see,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Big stuff, good fastball, cutter, slider, he got a strikeout with a changeup I think. Just he looks confident, he looks strong. He’s in really good shape, and it looks like he’s matured in a lot of ways. Definitely a good first day.”

“It definitely helps, especially not having to get in that rhythm so quick and slowly build into it and not have to jump right into it,” Lodolo said. “I think I'm more comfortable [this year], my stuff's better, it's gotten better every year. Just from that aspect, I'm more comfortable going after guys.”

Lodolo was 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 13 starts combined last season for Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. His season was marred by a blister issue on his pitching hand, and he was limited to three starts at Louisville because of a left shoulder sprain. However, he was healthy throughout the offseason and came to camp without limitations.

Besides Lodolo, the battle for the Reds’ rotation vacancy includes top prospect Hunter Greene, No. 4 prospect Brandon Williamson, No. 8 prospect Graham Ashcraft, lefty Reiver Sanmartin and right-handers Tony Santillan and Riley O’Brien.

Cincinnati acquired Williamson on Monday from the Mariners in the trade for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez. While disappointed to see two popular teammates depart, Lodolo was thrilled to have Williamson join the team. They played together in college at TCU.

“It still doesn't feel real. It's cool to see each other,” Lodolo said. “Every offseason we live together. It's my best friend. It's weird. People think we're just college teammates, but three offseasons now we've lived together every offseason.”

Camp moving quick
Only four days after Spring Training opened, the Reds were playing their first game, with Opening Day just around the corner on April 7 at Atlanta. For all teams, including Cincinnati, it allows little chance to ease into things.

The Reds have cut back on some of their fundamental drills that often consume the first few days of a camp, including during pitchers fielding practice (PFPs).

“Typically before Game 1, you’ve run through all the fundamentals of the bunt plays, the cutoffs and relays, first-to-third plays, the rundowns,” Bell said. “We had no chance to get all of those in and I didn’t want to cram them in. Guys have been playing this game long enough to where we can go out and play a game and know what to do. We got through most of them. PFPs, for example, we did them every day, but there wasn’t a lot of throwing involved. We know that going in. Pitchers know that. Even though we don’t know what to expect, our expectations in some areas are going to be lower today.”