Reds Push Zach Maxwell One Step Closer To Cincinnati
When the Reds drafted righthander Zach Maxwell out of Georgia Tech in the sixth round in 2022, they knew they were getting a big-time arm.
But they likely knew they were taking a pitcher who needed to continue his development.
Working primarily as a reliever in three collegiate seasons, Maxwell walked 98 batters in 97.2 innings while also striking out 160.
“There were some things our pitching group identified early on and helped Zach in his development,” Reds senior director of player development Jeremy Farrell said.
“But it’s also the confidence that he’s gained as he’s progressed through his professional career—going out and proving to himself that he can have success in all of the levels he’s been at.”
The 23-year-old Maxwell still carries a high walk rate, but it is trending downward.
In 14 relief appearances for Double-A Chattanooga this season, he struck out 27 and walked nine in 14.2 innings. The Reds promoted him to Triple-A Louisville on May 22.
Entering the year, the Reds had not yet pitched the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Maxwell on back-to-back days. That is no longer the case after he did it twice in the early part of this season.
“One of the development goals for Zach this year was to get him into back-to-back opportunities early in the season, and we’ve been able to do that,” Farrell said.
“He’s responded well and now he’s set up to be able to be used in Triple-A, the big leagues—wherever—in a role that allows him to go back-to-back.”
With a fastball that has topped out at 103 mph this season and a plus slider, Maxwell’s improved control has led to a dominant start and has him one step away from Cincinnati.
