The 2022 season has mercifully come to an end for the Cincinnati Reds. While the team avoided posting the worst record in franchise history, David Bell's group came dangerously close. To be fair, the best manager in Major League Baseball would struggle to squeeze just 70 wins out of the team that general manager Nick Krall and the Castellini family put on the field this season.

But now that the offseason has begun for the Reds, it's time to pass out grades. The starting rotation was an absolute mess this season, with 14 different pitchers taking the ball to start a game. That doesn't include the four games in which Fernando Cruz, Dauri Moreta, and Jeff Hoffman acted as the opener.

With Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle having been traded at the deadline, they will not be part of this year's grades. But the three rookies will be. So let's see how the Reds starters fared in 2022.

Let's begin with Graham Ashcraft. The right-hander got the call to join the Cincinnati Reds rotation in May after Connor Overton hit the IL. While Ashcraft endured a brief stint on the IL himself due to a biceps injury, the former sixth-round pick started 19 games for the Reds in 2022.

Ashcraft did not end well. After posting a 3.27 ERA in his first seven starts, his final 12 appearances saw the Alabama native put up an ERA just south of 6.00. While Ashcraft isn't necessarily a strikeout pitcher, his 15.3% strikeout-rate is definitely an area he can improve on going forward.

Coming up through the Cincinnati Reds farm system, there are many who assumed that Graham Ashcraft would eventually transition into the bullpen. While that still may be a possibility, heading into next season, Ashcraft would seem to occupy a spot in the middle of the Reds rotation.

Ashcraft has a ton of potential, but still needs to refine his secondary pitches. But it's hard to be overly critical of a rookie starter who took the ball every fifth day and gave his team an opportunity to win.

© 2022 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.