February 15, 2026

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo had a career season in 2025 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings pitched. The 156 2/3 innings pitched marked a career high at the Major League level for Lodolo, after he had been fairly injury-plagued throughout his four MLB seasons with the Reds. Lodolo changed his approach in 2025, pounding the zone more consistently and lowering his walk rate to 4.8 percent (95th percentile), well below his career mark of 6.7 percent. Lodolo is a former first-round pick out of TCU and has a career 4.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP for the Reds, so his 2025 season was a step in the right direction. Lodolo produced an elite chase rate of 32.8 percent (91st percentile), and while most of the underlying numbers showcase a bit of regression (3.51 xERA, 3.57 SIERA, and 3.66xFIP), Lodolo should find himself in a good position to succeed because he had a career low in strikeout rate (24.3 percent) while his career average is 26.2 percent, showcasing potential for positive regression. If he can get back to his 2022 and 2023 strikeout rates (29.7 and 28.3 percent, respectively), combined with the better control he showcased in 2025, we could be looking at a top 25 pitcher in 2026. RotoBaller currently ranks Lodolo as SP36, and NFBC ADP has him as the 136.0 player taken off the board.--Nicho Roessler
Source: RotoBaller