Is Antone the Best Pitcher On the Staff?

[RedTeamGo!]

My brother just texted me he believes Antone will win a Cy young in his career. He thinks he is a DeGrom or Bieber and the reds need to put him in the rotation immediately.

I am beginning to think he is the best on staff, has the best stuff. The only pitcher I might put ahead of him is Gray. I think he’s better than Castillo right now.

Either way, he need me to be a starter.

Thoughts?

[Tom Servo]

Quite possibly, but I’m not convinced we should prioritize having him as a starter over being an elite reliever. I really like him as our version of Josh Hader.

[RiverfrontRed]

Wow! That’s some high praise for a guy that hasn’t done anything yet.

[HammerTime]

He might have the best “stuff” currently, but I wanna see it for 30-40 innings before I give him that title.

I also agree he needs to be in the rotation immediately.

Castillo
Gray
Mahle
Antone

Would be a really really good top 4 if he’s anything close to what he’s shown us so far and can transition into a starter.

[herbdizzle]

Antone needs to be in the rotation by Memorial Day. It's cool that he's handling this multi-inning role as it's enabling the Reds to win the games he pitches. By going every 3rd game he gets to piggyback different starters on the days he pitches. I think Doolittle showed a really strong step forward today. I think the Reds have a really good pen but are lacking that shutdown closer type. I'm hoping that might be Lorenzen; when he comes back I'd try him at closer.

[0-2 Count]

Yes. He is the best pitcher, with the best stuff, based on the role he is playing. He would NOT, however, be the best starter if he was put in the rotation. In fact, as long as Hoffman and Miley pitch well, there is no reason at all to rush him to the rotation. That's a knee jerk reaction when the situation does not warrant it. He is so valuable in the role he is playing. And, it's a role that neither Hoffman or Miley would do as well as Antone.

[0-2 Count]

If he starts, he helps us win 1 out of every 5 games. If he continues in the role he has now he can help us win 2 out of every 5 games. Think about that for a moment.

[marcshoe]

Several years ago the Reds started pushing a guy in the low minors as a breakout prospect, even though most were skeptical. His name was Sal Romano. Because of that, when they started pushing Antone, I was again skeptical.

I was wrong.

[Wonderful Monds]

If he starts, he helps us win 1 out of every 5 games. If he continues in the role he has now he can help us win 2 out of every 5 games. Think about that for a moment.

But if he starts, he can probably contribute to twice as many innings of winning baseball which also counts for something

[0-2 Count]

But if he starts, he can probably contribute to twice as many innings of winning baseball which also counts for something

But, if Hoffman and Miley can continue doing that as starters, there is no need. Neither of those guys would succeed in the bullpen the way Antone does.

[Wonderful Monds]

But, if Hoffman and Miley can continue doing that as starters, there is no need. Neither of those guys would succeed in the bullpen the way Antone does.

The reverse could also be true of those guys starting compared to Antone starting.

[TexasRedsFan]

It's a tough call. This bullpen as currently constructed really needs him. But he definitely has the stuff of at least a #3 starter. For now, I'd keep him as a multi-inning reliever option.

[MoneyInTheBank]

The real question is... Is Antone the best pitcher in the world?

[RiverfrontRed]

This is who he reminds me of.

[Joey Blotto]

Opponents have hit .155 against him in 42.0 career innings