Next season, the Cincinnati Reds will take a risk that everyone in baseball wants to see Aroldis Chapman as a starter.
The southpaw has already shown that he can do just about everything from the bullpen. He can be a situational pitcher, a setup man or a closer. He can go more than one inning and can go back-to-back-to-back days. He can pitch in key situations or in the postseason.
There have been few roadblocks to him having success in the big leagues. Now that he is converting into a starter, he will face the biggest challenge of his career.
Chapman is the most exciting pitcher in baseball, and there is no question about it. The 2013 season will allow him to show fans what he was signed to do.
Although there is still a chance that he will end up back in the bullpen next season, it is almost a guarantee that he will be in the rotation at some point next season.
Joey Votto won the National League Most Valuable Player in 2010, but the Reds are hoping for an award that has never been captured by the organization: the NL Cy Young.
Next season will be the team’s best chance in years to bring it to Cincinnati. Chapman, Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and Homer Bailey all had sensational years in 2012. At least one of them should be in the mix for the award in 2013.
So, why exactly does Chapman stand out in this rotation as the front-runner for the NL Cy Young?