Ricky

Karcher

Karcher made one relief appearance last year for the Reds and has struggled this season at the Triple-A level. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty has the raw stuff to pitch in the majors, but his command remains a work in progress. He’s an interesting low-risk lottery ticket for the Royals.

Karcher will presumably also receive an invitation to spring training. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty made one relief appearance this past season for the Reds and finished with a pedestrian 4.77 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 70/72 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville. He possesses the raw stuff required to pitch in the big leagues, but needs to harness his control issues if he’s going to become a mainstay in Arizona’s bullpen.

The 25-year-old right-hander had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra depth for the Reds at the Triple-A level.

With Tony Santillan returning from the 60-day injured list on Thursday, the Reds needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster and Karcher was the unfortunate odd-man out. The 25-year-old has posted a 7.18 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and troublesome 36/44 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings at Triple-A Louisville this season. He’ll likely pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as pitching depth for the Reds.

Karcher made his big league debut -- and recorded a save by working a scoreless 10th inning against the Royals on Monday night -- and all he has to show for it is a return trip to Louisville. He should get another opportunity with the Reds before the summer is through.

Congratulations to Karcher, who was recalled Friday in spite of a 9.27 ERA and a 31/34 K/BB ratio in 22 1/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville. He walked a batter tonight, but he retired the other three he faced to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning.

Karcher has been called up to the majors for the first time with Graham Ashcraft (calf) landing on the injured list. The 25-year-old righty has big-time stuff, but has compiled a disastrous 9.27 ERA, 2.55 WHIP and 31/34 K/BB ratio across 22 1/3 innings (22 appearances) this season for Triple-A Louisville. He gives the Reds some extra bullpen depth heading into Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals.

Karcher struggled with his control this spring, allowing two runs on four hits with a 5/7 K/BB ratio across six innings (six appearances) in Cactus League action. The 25-year-old righty was added to Cincinnati’s 40-man roster last November.

The 25-year-old hurler was a 13th round selection by the Reds from the 2017 draft class and has slowly rose his way up the minor league ranks. He split his 2022 campaign between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville -- turning in a 3.65 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 88/40 K/BB ratio across 56 2/3 innings. There seems like a strong likelihood that he’ll finally make his big league debut during the upcoming 2023 season.