The Cincinnati Reds have signed right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger and assigned him to Triple-A Louisville. The righty had spent his 2019 season with both the Kansas City Royals organization, as well as the Washington Nationals organization.
Boxberger began the year in the Major Leagues with the Royals. The first few weeks of the season were rough for him, posting a 9.64 ERA with 7 walks and 10 strikeouts in 9.1 innings through April 19th. But he settled in from there. Sort of. Over the next two months he threw 17.1 innings for Kansas City and posted a 3.12 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks. He didn’t allow a home run and held opposing hitters to a .175/.293/.206 line. But he was released by the Royals on July 1st despite that performance.
Less than two weeks later he signed with the Nationals on a minor league deal and they sent him all the way back to Double-A. He dominated there, in limited action, from mid-July through the start of August. He threw 8.2 innings over eight appearances and allowed just one run while striking out 11 batters with three walks. But just like the Royals, Washington released him on August 4th.
The 31-year-old signed with the Cincinnati Reds earlier today and has now been assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats where he will join their bullpen. Earlier this season with the Royals in the big leagues he was averaging 90-91 MPH on his fastball depending on which month you wanted to look at. He also mixed in a slider in the mid-80’s and a change up around 78-79 MPH.
Alfredo Rodriguez promoted to Triple-A
With the Reds designating Blake Trahan for assignment yesterday to make room for Kevin Gausman on the 40-man roster, another infielder was needed for Triple-A Louisville. The Bats will be getting a call up from Double-A to fill the need, getting Alfredo Rodriguez from Chattanooga. The 25-year-old from Cuba is having his best season as a professional, by far. In 104 games for the Lookouts he’s hit .286/.325/.347 with 22 walks, 62 strikeouts, 18 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run.
If Trahan clears waivers do you think Rodriguez stays in Louisville? Is Trahan being released and Rodriguez staying more likely?
I’d consider the Collins & Gausman signings more important to the Reds future than Boxberger, but it can’t hurt. Maybe they can clone Kevin Johnson?
Dude was fire with the Suns! Should have been on the Dream Team if you ask me.
No fastball command for the Suns, though.
Also quite the mayor..
Loved me some KJ!
Appears KJ has lived a full life.
Is it a money saving move that the Reds didn’t sign him to MLB? Seems like he’s an instant upgrade over either Hughes or Hernandez.
Seems a roster saving move, rather than money saving.
I like what the Reds are doing. They continue to try to strengthen their team both for this year and years ahead. Boxberger, being a former Red’s farmhand and having had some success in the majors is another low-risk pick up.
Louisville really thin with only 10 position players. Daal and Stephenson should also be promoted. Manzanero, Flete, Lopez and Hannah or Sugilio to Chattanooga, Rey, Schuyler, Bautista and Ventura to Daytona and Free, Yang, Hopkins and Yon to Dayton.
Alfredo has earned this promo… despite all the projections to the contrary, the guy has put together a solid offensive season… and he can pick it! Welcome to Lou! Boxberger is a nice sign! Could help this year — maybe
Remember when the Negative Nancy’s were angry about trading him?
Nice photo choice for this piece, Doug. Heh.
I believe one of the reasons we are rated so low by some analysts is because the “wrong” guys are performing well. The guys that were high picks and expected to play well are down. The guys that were not highly thought of are taking off. It must be a fluke in the evaluators eyes. We will see in a couple years who was right.