Brandon Finnegan Looking Like Starter For Reds

Brandon Finnegan, who nearly no-hit the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, is looking more and more like a long-term starter for the Cincinnati Reds.

Finnegan was an important part of the haul the Reds received from the Kansas City Royals in the Johnny Cueto trade. At the time, there were questions about whether the left-hander would start or relieve as a Major Leaguer.

According to Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs, Finnegan is throwing his slider harder in 2016 than he did late in 2015 as a starter for Cincinnati. He is also throwing a new, rising four-seam fastball. That isn't all.

"Finnegan is throwing his changeup with a ton of confidence," Sullivan writes, "In four starts last season, Finnegan threw 13% changeups. Through two starts this season, he's just shy of 25%."

His percentage of fastballs has dropped from 75% to 57% this season, giving hitters more of a variety to handle.