Lyon Richardson Bio
Lyon Richardson (born January 18, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds. A right-handed starting pitcher developed within the Reds organization, Richardson was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and reached the majors in 2023. He most recently signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization in June 2026.
Known for his tall frame and strikeout ability, Richardson spent several years moving through the Cincinnati minor league system before his major league debut. He is a Florida native who attended Jensen Beach High School, where he starred as both a pitcher and a hitter during his senior season.
Early Life and Background
Lyon Richardson was born on January 18, 2000, and grew up in Jensen Beach, Florida, a small community on the state’s Atlantic coast. He attended Jensen Beach High School, where he developed into one of the top pitching prospects in the region.
As a senior in 2018, Richardson went 7–0 with a 0.58 earned run average (ERA) and ninety strikeouts over 48 innings pitched, while also batting .369 at the plate. His two-way performance drew national attention and he was named the Treasure Coast Newspapers Player of the Year.
Following his high school career, Richardson committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida. Instead of enrolling, however, he chose to begin his professional career when he was selected in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Path to Baseball
Richardson was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Reds and made his professional debut that same year with the Greeneville Reds of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. Over 29 innings, he posted a 0–5 record and a 7.14 ERA in his first taste of pro ball.
In 2019, his first full minor league season, Richardson joined the Dayton Dragons of the Single-A Midwest League. Over 26 starts, he went 3–9 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP, gaining valuable experience against more advanced hitters. After the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he trained at Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and participated in simulated games with other minor leaguers before joining Cincinnati’s instructional league in September.
Richardson returned to Dayton, now a member of the High-A Central, for the 2021 season. He appeared in 19 games and 18 starts, going 2–5 with a 5.09 ERA, 91 strikeouts, and 38 walks over 76 innings. After the season, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the entire 2022 season.
Lyon Richardson Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Richardson began his professional career in the Cincinnati Reds organization after being drafted in 2018. His early years were a mix of strong individual strikeout totals and challenging results, as he adjusted to life as a full-time pitcher. He pitched at the Rookie, Single-A, and High-A levels, learning under the Reds’ player development staff.
The 2020 cancellation and the 2021 Tommy John surgery tested his development path, but Richardson returned healthy and was added to the Reds’ 40-man roster on November 15, 2022, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He split 2023 between the Daytona Tortugas, Chattanooga Lookouts, and Louisville Bats, sharpening his arsenal for an eventual major league call-up.
Cincinnati Reds (2023–2026)
Richardson made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on August 6, 2023, fulfilling the promise that had followed him since draft night. In four starts that season, he struggled to an 8.64 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 16⅔ innings, a learning experience against big-league hitters.
In 2024, Richardson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season. He appeared in one game for Cincinnati, allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning against the Chicago Cubs, before returning to the minors for more regular work. He was again optioned to Louisville to open 2025, but returned to the Reds during the year and made 34 appearances, posting an 0–3 record and a 4.54 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 37⅔ innings.
On December 27, 2025, Richardson was designated for assignment after the Reds acquired Dane Myers. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on January 7, 2026. On May 30, 2026, the Reds selected his contract and added him to the active roster, but after two appearances in which he posted an 0–1 record and 27.00 ERA, he was designated for assignment on June 2, 2026. He elected free agency two days later.
Milwaukee Brewers (2026–Present)
On June 10, 2026, Richardson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move offered him an opportunity to reset in a different organization and work his way back toward the major leagues.
Driving Style and Strengths
Richardson is recognized for his tall frame, which creates a steep downhill angle that is difficult for opposing hitters to square up. His standout tool has been his strikeout ability, as he consistently produced high punchout totals at every minor league stop. He relies on a power-pitching approach designed to generate swings and misses rather than soft contact.
Notable Events and Milestones
Richardson’s most significant milestone came on August 6, 2023, when he made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming a major league pitcher after years of development. He also navigated the adversity of Tommy John surgery in 2021 and returned to throw 34 big-league appearances in 2025, a personal best in major league service time.
Lyon Richardson Career Wins
Richardson has yet to record a major league victory across his time with the Cincinnati Reds, posting an 0–10 combined record in his MLB appearances through early June 2026. His win total remains a work in progress as he continues to develop at the highest level.
Cincinnati Reds Highlights
During his time in the Reds organization, Richardson’s biggest MLB moment was his August 6, 2023 debut. He went on to make 34 appearances for Cincinnati in 2025, his most extensive major league workload, and logged 30 strikeouts across 37⅔ innings. He was recalled one final time in May 2026 before being designated for assignment in early June.
Other Wins and Performances
Richardson’s amateur peak came in his senior year at Jensen Beach High School, when he went 7–0 with a 0.58 ERA and ninety strikeouts over 48 innings, earning Treasure Coast Newspapers Player of the Year honors. He also had productive minor league stretches, including 91 strikeouts in 76 innings at High-A Dayton in 2021.
Lyon Richardson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No public details about Richardson’s parents or family background have been verified from available sources.
Personal Life
No public information regarding Richardson’s marital status, spouse, or children is available from verified sources. He grew up in Jensen Beach, Florida, and has been based in the Cincinnati and Florida regions throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Richardson began 2025 with Triple-A Louisville after being optioned by the Reds. He returned to the major league club during the season and made 34 regular-season appearances, posting an 0–3 record and a 4.54 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 37⅔ innings. The workload represented his largest major league sample size to that point.
His 2025 campaign was a developmental step forward, showing he could handle a full season of major league hitters even as the win column did not reflect his performance. Following the season, the Reds designated him for assignment on December 27, 2025, in a roster move tied to the acquisition of Dane Myers. Richardson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on January 7, 2026.
Looking ahead, Richardson’s path back to the majors required a fresh opportunity. That came on June 10, 2026, when he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, giving him a chance to rebuild within a new organization and chase his first major league win.
