Pitching prospect Lyon Richardson is rewarding the Reds faith and patience

Lyon Richardson has been part of the Cincinnati Reds organization since 2018. A former second-round draft pick, Richardson has endured a number of speed bumps early in his professional career.

Richardson was limited to 30 innings in 2018, but had a productive season in 2019. After striking out 91 batters in 76 innings, it looked like the 2020 season was going to be the start of Richardson's breakout campaign.

But with the 2020 minor league season cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and an elbow injury in 2021 resulting in Tommy John surgery, toeing the rubber for Low-A Daytona on April 7th was the first time Richardson had seen the mound since August of 2021.

Pitching prospect Lyon Richardson is rewarding the Reds faith and patience.

The Cincinnati Reds added Lyon Richardson to the 40-man roster this past offseason; an indication that the club still valued what he could bring to the organization. Richardson was optioned to Low-A Daytona to begin the season in Florida's warm climate before moving up to Double-A Chattanooga.

After a three-game stint in Low-A, the Reds moved Richardson to Double-A. In 18 starts this season, the 23-year-old has compiled a 1.96 ERA across 55 innings with 76 strikeouts and 23 free passes.

Returning from Tommy John surgery, the Cincinnati Reds are likely to move forward very cautiously with Lyon Richardson. A promotion to Triple-A later this season could be on the table, but Richardson is likely on an innings restriction as well.

Connor Phillips and Chase Petty, along with newly drafted pitcher Rhett Lowder, are often mentioned as the next wave of pitching prospects coming up through the Reds farm system. But Lyon Richardson should be in that group as well. The right-hander has rewarded Cincinnati's patience with a terrific season.