The Reds announced this morning that they had recalled right-hander Lyon Richardson from Triple-A. Richardson, 23, is slated to make his big league debut when he takes the ball this afternoon for a start against the Nationals. To make room for Richardson on the active roster, right-hander Daniel Duarte was optioned to Triple-A.
Richardson, 23, entered the 2023 campaign as the Reds 13th best prospect according to Fangraphs, though five of the prospects ranked ahead of him have graduated to the big leagues since then. Richardson missed the entire 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery but has broken back onto the scene in a big way this season, advancing from Single-A to Triple-A throughout the year. Overall, Richardson boasts a phenomenal 1.86 ERA in 58 innings of work across 19 starts with a staggering 35.2% strikeout rate against a 10% walk rate.
That limited innings total despite regular starts throughout the 2023 campaign comes as a result of the Reds seemingly being careful not to overwork Richardson as he returns from surgery; his pitch count in each start has typically been capped around 50 pitches, with his peak this season standing at just 76. Should Richardson stick on the roster beyond today’s start, those pitch count limitations would seem to indicate he’s more likely to be limited to multi-inning relief appearances rather than continue as a member of the starting rotation going forward.
Making room for Richardson on the active roster is right-hander Daniel Duarte, who has posted a 4.08 ERA (116 ERA+) in 17 2/3 innings of work with the Reds this season, albeit with a less inspiring 5.48 FIP. Duarte heads back to the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Louisville for the time being, where he owns a 3.38 ERA in 27 appearances this season, but figures to contribute in Cincinnati down the stretch as a young, optionable bullpen piece.
Richardson gets to be the ‘lucky” 13th pitcher to start a game for the Reds this year. Probably sooner than the Reds braintrust would have liked. Good luck Lyon.
Man he’s been in the minors for a long time. Good luck in the big league, Lyon!
Not really. 2020 was canceled and 2022 he was injured. If anything, he flew through the minors.
The fact thR he is the 13th atarting pircher to appear shows the lack of organizational planning. Everyone knows pitching injuries are up, and the injury history of the expected statters, yet it was not addressed. There was not even an attempt during the season to course correct.
That pitch count means an overworked bullpen that has been blowing up lately will be leaned on again. Not a good scene.
Good luck Lyon. You’ll need it, starting in A ball this year. Hope you get to the stadium early and look around, get the nervousness out of your system before go time.
Your Reds front office didn’t even try to make deals for pitching, even with being in first place in the division at the deadline. I would expect the offseason to be way more active hopefully.
On a side note, Lyon Richardson sounds like he’s part of King Arthur’s knights of the round table.
They haven’t added major league experienced players to the major league roster for two seasons now. I don’t know why anyone expects that to change in the offseason. It is not the kid GM’s MO.
Lyon should have been a politician
Still curious as to why Reds management failed to make any significant deals to improve their team at the trade deadline?
$$$
They’re very, very cheap. Of course, their excuse will be the young pitchers coming back – Greene and Lodolo – which will be great if they can contribute. But it doesn’t help now, and they need more SP than just those two.
The success of the kids brought up this season has made them even more in love with their prospects. Too afraid to trade anyone in case they will be good.
You have to give to get.
Obviously Richardson not ready. Nats had no problem seeing the ball out of his hand. His nerves were on full display and his breaking pitches broke too early. No command at all. Didn’t earn a second look in my mind
Homer Simpson would like to weigh in with some analysis on Lyon’s appearance today:
Doh!
How many times do you need to tell us that he’s 23?