The Reds have released right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, Kegan Lowe of Baseball America relays.
The reunion between the Reds and Boxberger didn’t last long, as they just signed the 31-year-old to a minor league contract Aug. 6. It was the second stint with the Reds for Boxberger, whom the club spent the 43rd overall pick on back in 2009. The Reds ultimately traded Boxberger to the Padres two years later in a blockbuster that included several players who either were or have become household names.
To his credit, Boxberger has turned into a well-known commodity in his own right over the past several years. He made the American League All-Star team as a member of the Rays in 2015, the same year he led the AL in saves (41). But Boxberger’s effectiveness has waned since his final season with the Rays in 2017. He struggled a year ago as a member of the Diamondbacks, and after signing a $2.2MM contract with the Royals over the winter, Boxberger opened 2019 with a 5.40 ERA/4.67 FIP and 9.11 K/9 against 5.74 BB/9 over 26 2/3 innings.
The Royals released Boxberger in early July, after which he inked a minors pact with the Nationals’ Double-A club. The Nats quickly cut Boxberger loose, leading him to rejoni the Cincy organization. However, Boxberger had immense difficulty in 5 1/3 frames with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, yielding seven earned runs on 10 hits and five walks (with eight strikeouts).
Welcome to the Sugarland Skeeters Brad!
Boxberger… is that like Assbergers?
no
Yes but the other hole.
To look back… The Reds swung and missed on that trade, and basically the Padres valued Alonso and Cashner over Rizzo and Latos…. while they did get Boxberger (whom was a decent reliever) and Grandal (whom they dealt for Kemp) it’s just funny/crazy to see how hard it actually is to project and develop talent.
Boxberger walks way too many people, period. You cant walk 5+/9 and be effective.