The Cincinnati Reds are entering the 2027 season relying heavily on rookie All-Star Chase Burns following a disastrous 2026 pitching campaign. While Burns excelled, the rest of the rotation struggled with injuries and poor performance.
Chase Burns' 15-3 Season and the .145 Slider
Rookie right-hander Chase Burns emerged as the sole bright spot for the Cincinnati Reds in 2026. According to the report, the pitcher posted a 15-3 record with a 2.86 ERA over 154 1/3 innings, earning National League All-Star honors in the process.
The dominance of Chase Burns was driven largely by a devastting slider that held opposing hitters to a .145 average. Because Burns surpassed the 150-inning mark in 2026, the Cincinnati Reds expect him to serve as the staff ace in 2027 without the constraints of an innings limit.
The 102 Earned Runs of Brady Singer
The 2026 season was otherwise a systemic failure for the Cincinnati Reds' pitching staff, which had been expected to be a primary strrength. Brady Singer epitomized this collapse, leading the league with 102 earned runs allowed, according to the source.
Despite this poor performance, the Cincinnati Reds may bring Brady Singer back on a low-cost contract rather than issuing a $23 million qualifying offer. This move would place Singer in direct competition with Brandon Williamson for the fifth starter spot, suggesting a front-office preference for continuity over a total rebuild.
Nick Lodolo's Blisters and Andrew Abbott's .465 Slugging
Health and consistency plagued the middle of the rotation throughout 2026. Nick Lodolo dealt with blisters on two separate occasions, leading him to alter the grip on his breaking ball. While Nick Lodolo will become a free agent after 2027, his diminished trade value makes it more likely that the Cincinnati Reds will retain him through the next season.
Andrew Abbott suffereed the worst professsional season of his career in 2026, finishing with a 6-11 record and a 4.61 ERA. The report highlights a significant decline in Abbott's fastball effectiveness, noting that opponents slugged .465 against the pitch in 2026 compared to .365 in 2025. Furthermore , reports indicate that Andrew Abbott needs to improve his physical conditioning heading into the new year.
Rhett Lowder's 5.74 ERA and the Search for a Put-away Pitch
The development of 24-year-old Rhett Lowder has stalled, as he struggled through 29 games in 2026 to post a 5.74 ERA. Lowder currently lacks a true swing-and-miss offering, with opponents hitting .429 against his curveball and .295 against his slider.
The central uncertainty for the Cincinnati Reds is whether Rhett Lowder can develop a dominant pitch in time for 2027. With Hunter Greene recovering from Tommy John surgery and few external alternatives available, the Reds are betting that internal adjustments will prevent another rotation-wide collapse.
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