Richardson returned from Tommy John elbow surgery in 2023 and spent time at four levels of ball, including a stint with the pitching-starved Reds. No Cincinnati starter threw more than 145.2 innings, and the right-hander was one of several prospects to fill rotation holes at various times. The plan coming off TJ surgery was limited innings and pitch counts, but Richardson's stuff - mid-90s fastball, slider, curve and changeup - was so impressive in 19 starts at Low-A Daytona (three), Double-A Chattanooga (15) and Triple-A Louisville (one) - 1.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 81 strikeouts over 58 innings - the Reds felt he could handle a spot start in the majors. What followed was historic in a bad way, as the righty gave up home runs on his first two pitches. Richardson made a few more limited appearances for Cincinnati, but what he needs now is to build innings. Those will likely come at Louisville in 2024. Read Past Outlooks