The Associated Press

It took just over a month for Ryan Wagner to make the jump from college to the big leagues.

Ryan Wagner pitches against the Astros today. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

The hard-throwing right-hander, the Reds' No. 1 pick out of the University of Houston in last month's draft, arrived in Cincinnati today and retired all five batters in his major league debut.

Wagner got pinch-hitter Brian Hunter swinging for his first major league strikeout. Thirteen of his 16 pitches were strikes. Many in the sellout crowd of 41,772 booed when manager Bob Boone replaced Wagner with left-hander Felix Heredia with two outs in the seventh.

"I'm ecstatic," Wagner said. "I'm just glad (general manager) Jim Bowden gave me the opportunity to go out and show what I can do."

Wagner will fill the bullpen spot of right-hander Scott Sullivan, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Wagner, the 14th overall pick, threw just nine minor league innings before the Reds purchased his contract from Triple-A Louisville.

"They told me I might get up there quickly, but after just nine innings in the minors, you're not expecting that," Wagner said today before facing the Astros - the team he followed while growing up in Texas.

The Reds cleared a spot on their 40-man roster for him by placing center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. on the 60-day disabled list.

Wagner is the first player from this year's draft to reach the majors. After signing for a $1.4 million bonus, he made five one-inning appearances for Double-A Chattanooga and four more with Louisville. He was a combined 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA.

Wagner, who turned 21 on Tuesday, used a fastball that hits 94 mph and a wicked sinker to become one of college baseball's most prolific strikeout artists. He set a Division I record last season by averaging 16.8 strikeouts per nine innings and broke the Cougars mark with 15 saves last season as a sophomore.

Wagner nearly maintained that pace in his brief stint in the minors, striking out 10 while walking just two in nine innings.

"He was throwing extremely well," said Boone, who plans to limit Wagner to appearances of one inning or less. "We're not going to use him in closing situations."

Wagner is the first player in team history to reach the majors in the same season he was drafted. He will be the youngest Reds pitcher to make his debut since left-hander Rosario Rodriguez at 20 years and 55 days in 1989. He will be the youngest Reds right-hander since Manny Sarmiento made his debut at 20 years and 79 days in 1976.