Reds Pitching Prospect Tony Cingrani Should Be Used as a Starter

One of 2012's biggest breakout prospects, left-hander Tony Cingrani was recalled by the Cincinnati Reds before Tuesday's game after beginning the season at High-A Bakersfield.

Selected in the third round of the 2011 draft, Cingrani was Rice's closer before the Reds converted him to a starter.

The left-hander was immediately inserted into the starting rotation of the team's Pioneer League, rookie-level affiliate. Logging 51 innings in his professional debut, Cingrani posted a 1.75 ERA with 80 strikeouts and six walks.

At 6'4" and 200 pounds, the Illinois native's best pitch is easily his fastball, which is most effective in the 88-93 mph range. In his senior season closing for Rice, Cingrani routinely scraped 95-96 mph.

His best off-speed pitch is his changeup, which also serves as his out pitch. It's actually just an average pitch, from a scouting standpoint, but when he's working his fastball effectively to both sides of the plate, his fading changeup plays up a grade.

Cingrani also possesses a slider, although it lags behind his other two pitches. However, he's become more comfortable throwing it as something more than a "show-me" offering.

Beginning the season at High-A Bakerfield, Cingrani posted a 1.11 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 innings (10 starts) before a quick promotion to Double-A Pensacola.

Between two levels this season, he has posted a 10-4 record with a 1.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 10.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9.

However, the looming question is whether Cingrani is best-suited to be a reliever or spot starter over the remainder of the season.

While I have no doubt that he'd be an effective late-inning reliever, I believe Cingrani's true value is as a starter—just as the Reds have developed him.

With an all-right-handed rotation comprised of Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake, Cingrani could serve as a legitimate left-handed option to replace any of the aforementioned starters—whether that's merely to rest them, or a result of ineffectiveness is obviously yet to be determined.

It seems as though it'd be a waste to stash the left-hander in the bullpen. The Reds already have two top-notch southpaws in Sean Marshall and the always-spectacular Aroldis Chapman, and it's doubtful that he's been recalled as a candidate for long relief.

Cingrani should continue to be developed as a starting pitcher, which entails making sure he's used in the appropriate role. But as a 23-year-old with minimal experience in the minor leagues and Dusty Baker—who's notorious for playing favorites with veteran players—at the helm of the ship, there's no guarantee that will be the case.