The Reds have a number of pitchers that have impacted the team's successful 2013 campaign thus far. The starting rotation is among the best in baseball, and the staff as a whole is 4th in team ERA in the majors at 3.34. The Reds are behind both the Cardinals and Pirates, NL Central foes, in that category. The team ERA would be much lower without the likes of Manny Parra, Jonathan Broxton, and Logan Ondrusek having inflated ERA's this season. There are a number of pitchers on the Reds who warrant All Star consideration. Aroldis Chapman was the only Reds pitcher to make the NL team last year. There could be a few more pitchers representing Cincinnati than just Chapman this time around. Here are the players that Reds fans could see in an NL uniform in July:
Mat Latos: Latos is still unbeaten on the year at 5-0, and when he has pitched over the last 2 years, the Reds seem to find a way to win. Latos has great stuff. He features a 95 miles per hour fastball and a nasty slider. Latos is second in the team's current rotation with a 2.90 ERA, and he would surely welcome his first All Star appearance.
Mike Leake: Surprisingly, the Reds' fifth starter has had the best year of any starter on the team. Leake is a crafty pitcher who models his game after his peer, Bronson Arroyo. He gets hitters out by outwitting them, not by overpowering them. Leake is 5-2 with a 2.75 ERA, and if he continues to earn wins, he will certainly warrant votes.
Aroldis Chapman: Chapman is a virtual lock to make his second straight All Star appearance. Fans would love to see the 100 miles per hour fastball on display against the league's best hitters, and Chapman has the numbers to back up his unbelievable pitches. Chapman stands at 3-2 on the year as the Reds' closer with a 2.42 ERA. He also has 15 saves in 17 opportunities, and has struck out 46 batters, which is fourth on the team.
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