Reds pitching prospect Brandon Williamson promoted to Triple-A

When the Cincinnati Reds acquired pitching prospect Brandon Williamson this spring, there was optimism he’d contribute at the Major League level this season.

Williamson is moving in the right direction.

The 24-year-old left-hander was promoted to Triple-A Louisville after Sunday’s minor league games. Williamson, listed at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, had a 4.14 ERA through 14 starts at Double-A Chattanooga with 74 strikeouts and 40 walks across 67 1/3 innings.

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Williamson was the centerpiece of the Reds’ return for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez in their six-player trade with the Seattle Mariners. He was considered a borderline top-100 prospect before the start of the season by several prospect publications. Jerry Dipoto, Seattle's president of baseball operations, said the inclusion of Williamson is what helped complete the trade after negotiations.

The Reds opted to send Williamson to Double-A to begin the season, a level where he made 13 starts last year. He struggled in his first month, posting a 6.61 ERA in four April starts. Since the start of May, he’s shown improvement with a 3.35 ERA in 10 starts.

Williamson is rated as the No. 5 prospect in the Reds’ organization by Baseball America and No. 4 by MLB.com.

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Walks have been an issue for Williamson, already walking more hitters this year than he did in 98 1/3 innings last season, and his strikeout rate has dipped. He led the Mariners’ organization in 2021 with 153 strikeouts.

When his mechanics are in sync, he overpowers hitters with a four-pitch mix, which includes a sweeping curveball and a slider.

Williamson was a college teammate of Reds rookie left-hander Nick Lodolo at TCU. Lodolo is expected to make his final rehab start with Louisville on Wednesday before rejoining the Reds’ starting rotation next week.

Along with Williamson, the Reds promoted reliever Ricky Karcher and outfielder Isaiah Gilliam to Louisville. Karcher is the No. 30-ranked prospect in the farm system by MLB.com. Karcher, a 24-year-old righty, had a 3.24 ERA and six saves at Chattanooga with 42 strikeouts and 21 walks in 25 innings.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds top prospects: Brandon Williamson promoted to Triple-A