(Gary, IN) The 2027 hot stove has been ignited for the Gary SouthShore RailCats by signing former Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and Cleburne Railroaders pitcher Conner Richardson. 

Richardson will be turning 27 in April of this upcoming year and is listed at 6-4, 215 pounds. The righty is from Grand Forks, North Dakota, and played college baseball at Minnesota-Crookston. As a Golden Eagle, he appeared in 58 games, posted a 4.44 ERA, and struck out 132 batters. 

Richardson began his professional baseball career in 2023, splitting time between the RedHawks and the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League. The following two years saw the reliever become a key piece for the Oakland Ballers in the Pioneer League. In 2025—the year the Ballers won the league championship—Richardson posted a 2.54 ERA across 39 appearances. 

On November 25, 2025, Richardson signed a contract to return to Fargo-Moorhead, but on March 13, the RedHawks traded Richardson and future considerations to the Railroaders for outfielder Jesus Lujano. With Cleburne, the right-hander logged a 2.12 ERA in 35 games while striking out 54 batters over 59.1 innings. 

“Our bullpen really struggled in the back half of the season last year,” RailCats Manager Jeff Isom said. “Adding Conner, who put up great numbers last year in a hitter-friendly park like Cleburne, is a great start to building our roster.” 

The RailCats’ 2027 schedule has been released, with the ‘Cats playing their home opener on May 11 against the Milwaukee Milkmen. Group tickets and the $50 Fall Pack—which includes four flex passes, a hat, and a water bottle—are on sale now. Visit https://railcatsbaseball.com/ to secure your tickets for the 2027 season!