RedsXtra: How analytics are playing an important role for Cincinnati Reds pitchers

Luis Castillo gave up two hits and zero runs in six innings during the Reds' 7-0 win over the Giants, matching a career high with 11 strikeouts. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer

SAN FRANCISCO – At the end of last season, Reds relievers Jared Hughes and Michael Lorenzen pushed to make more analytical data available to pitchers in conversations with the club's front office staff.

The Reds were likely headed in that direction, but they made analytics a priority when they hired coaches that had experience in communicating them with players. Hughes, who previously pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers, knew what type of information that divisional rivals were using and…