The Cincinnati Reds received a much-needed spark in their National League Wild Card chase on Friday with the promotion of right-handed flamethrower Zach Maxwell, better known to fans as “Big Sugar.”
Maxwell, the Reds’ No. 24 prospect, has been turning heads since last season when he struck out 58 batters in just 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A Louisville. His reputation soared in March during the Spring Breakout game against the Brewers, when he touched 101 mph on the radar gun and punctuated the save with a Roman emperor-style thumbs down — a moment that instantly went viral among Reds fans.
Since then, “Big Sugar” has become a cult favorite on social media, with memes and clips circulating across platforms. Maxwell has leaned into the attention, admitting that he and his family enjoy following the fan-made content.
On the field, though, he’s been more business than show. In August alone, Maxwell dominated at Louisville with a 0.96 ERA across nine appearances, fanning 13 in just over nine innings. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds, the 24-year-old’s fastball averages 99 mph with one of the lowest vertical drops in baseball, placing him among elite company alongside Mason Miller and Ryan Helsley.
Manager Terry Francona praised Maxwell’s focus, emphasizing that success at the major league level will come from pounding the strike zone with consistency. “If young pitchers keep the mindset of attacking hitters, they’re probably going to be OK,” Francona said. “Consistency is everything.”
Maxwell, the first Reds player from the 2022 Draft class to reach the majors, is embracing the challenge. “I gotta pitch well first, right? Nothing changes — it’s still baseball, just in a bigger stadium,” he said.
Though Maxwell didn’t make his debut in Friday’s extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks, he soaked in the moment surrounded by family, including his father, Tom Maxwell, a former Idaho State basketball standout who traveled to Phoenix to watch his son achieve his lifelong dream.
And as for the nickname? That stuck years ago when a Georgia Tech broadcaster dubbed him “a big hunk of sugar.” Fans shortened it, and now, Reds Nation is buzzing with excitement for the arrival of Big Sugar in the big leagues.
With Cincinnati sitting just 1 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot, the Reds are hoping Maxwell’s electric arm can help push them over the line in the closing stretch.
About the Author
