Reds claim former Red Sox reliever off waivers
Franklin German joins his third organization this season
The Cincinnati Reds have claimed right-handed reliever Franklin German off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Monday afternoon.
The White Sox designated German for assingment last week, the Reds will add him to their 40-man roster.
The 25-year-old struggled with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate the Charlotte Knights this season. He pitched in nine games posting a 7.15 ERA with 16 strikeouts and a 2.47 WHIP over 11 1/3 innings pitched.
German’s time with the White Sox organization was short-lived after struggling at the Triple-A level. His strikeout rate was solid, striking out 26.7% of batters faced but walked 15% of batters, which provided to be troublesome for the right-hander. The former Sox minor leaguer struggled with his control which will need to be improved if he expects to stick with the Reds.
Boston traded German to the White Sox following Matt Barnes being designated for assignment back in January. The New York native split time between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester last season. He pitched well posting a 2.72 ERA in 49 2/3 innings and striking out 32.5% of his batters faced.
German earned a spot on the Red Sox roster as a mid-September call up pitching in five games. He struggled facing major league batters posting a 18.00 ERA.
The former Yankees prospect will head to the Reds and look to stick with that organization. The University of North Florida product offers a three-pitch mix of a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Opponents hit .500 off his fastball at the big league level with a .601 XSLG percentage. His four-seam fastball topped out at 98.1 mph and he threw it 39 times, according to MLB Statcast.
There is no risk for the Reds if German struggles, the club can let him go and free up another 40-man roster spot.