"Who the hell is that guy?": a guide to Red Sox pitching depth in spring training

[The Gray Eagle]

You know our 3 starters: Eovaldi, Ed-Ro, and Martin Perez. And the relievers we still have from last year: Barnes, Brasier, Kolten Brewer, Hembree, Josh Taylor, Workman, Darwinzon Hernandez. And there are the familiar swingmen, Brian Johnson and Velazquez.

But if you've watched any preseason games, you've probably been frequently wondering who the hell that guy is out there pitching for the Red Sox.

Here's a quick guide to most of them.

(Get ready to read lots of words like "emergency", "back end", "organizational depth", "middle relief", "lacks command", and "below average.")


R.J. Alvarez: 28, RHP. Minor league free agent. UPDATE: Reassigned to minor league camp
https://soxprospects.com/players/alvarez-rj.htm

Sturdy-framed right-hander. Very low 3/4 arm slot, slinging max-effort delivery. Arsenal includes a 94-97 mph sinker, an 87-90 mph slider, a 95-97 mph four-seam fastball, and a rarely-used 89-90 mph changeup. Slider works well against right-handers. Below-average control. Career reliever with closer mentality. Profiles as an up-and-down bullpen arm with some potential to stick in middle relief.

Yoan Aybar: 22, LHP. 40-man roster. UPDATE: optioned to high A
Moved from outfielder to pitcher in 2018.
https://soxprospects.com/players/aybar-yoan.htm

Fastball 93-97 mph. Very raw at present, but an intriguing project. Already shows premium velocity from the left-side and athleticism that give him a chance. Needs a lot of work to become a pitcher, more of a thrower right now. Has big league potential if he can take to pitching.

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/02/yoan-aybar-boston-red-sox-reliever-with-mid-to-high-90s-fastball-motivated-by-dad-who-died-from-lung-issue-i-know-how-much-he-wanted-me-to-make-it.html

He throws his fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s. He averaged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and held opponents to a .176 batting average in 2019. He ran into trouble at times because of some control issues. He issued 41 walks in 56 ⅔ innings, leading to a 4.61 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 44 outings (56 ⅔ innings) for Low-A Greenville and High-A Salem combined. The Red Sox added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from Rule 5 Draft eligibility.
He needs to improve his command. He has averaged 5.8 walks and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 61 games (85 innings) in two years.

Eduard Bazardo: 24, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/bazardo-eduard.htm

Projects as an emergency up and down reliever. Ceiling of a solid middle reliever. Frame and lack of a third pitch point to a bullpen projection long-term. Progress has been slow and could be accelerated in a relief role.

Austin Brice: 27, RHP. Out of options. Born in Hong Kong.
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/02/austin-brice-new-boston-red-sox-pitcher-without-options-i-go-into-every-camp-thinking-i-dont-have-a-job.html

Brice put together a solid 2019 season. He posted a 3.43 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4.87 WHIP, .214 batting average against, seven holds and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 36 outings (44 ⅔ innings) for the Marlins.
It marked the best season of his major league career to date. He had posted a 5.68 ERA in 70 outings (84 innings) from 2016-18.
Brice features a four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker and changeup. He uses the changeup mainly vs. left-handed hitters.
His curveball usage increased from 28.1% in 2018 to 44.7% in 2019 while his four-seam fastball usage increased from 19.8% to 31.5%, per Statcast. Meanwhile, his sinker usage dropped from 48.5% to 19.5%.

Matt Hall: 26, LHP.
Was terrible in 31 IP for the Tigers in ‘18 and ‘19.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html

Joined the Red Sox in a minor trade with the Tigers in January. The spin rate darling has enjoyed some success in the minors, shown in part by a 4.25 ERA with 10.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 144 Triple-A innings, but has allowed almost 10 runs per nine with 5.17 BB/9 in a smaller sample of major league frames (31 1/3).

Kyle Hart: 27, LHP. 40-man roster. Optioned to AAA
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html
A 19th-round pick of the Red Sox in 2016, Hart has consistently prevented runs at a solid clip in the minors, where he has never posted an ERA above the threes at any level. The 27-year-old made his Triple-A debut in 2019 and logged a 3.86 ERA/4.32 FIP with 7.18 K/9 and 3.23 BB/9 over 100 1/3 innings.
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/01/kyle-hart-earned-boston-red-sox-40-man-roster-after-starting-out-as-a-19th-round-pick-with-small-signing-bonus-everyones-journey-in-this-game-is-different.html
His fastball sits in the upper-80s and low 90s. But the 6-foot-5 lefty consistently has been one of the most effective starters in Boston’s minor league system the past three years thanks to his array of secondary pitches.
He has posted a 3.13 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 77 minor league outings (71 starts). The Red Sox added him to the 40-man roster in November to keep him from being available to other clubs in the Rule 5 Draft.
“He’s gone heavier with two different shapes of cutters and sliders and made it a bigger part of his mix. So I think he’s a little more complete and well-rounded vs. both right-handed and left-handed hitters,” Bannister said last July. "He’s able to attack.” Hart averaged 8.1 strikeouts and 3.1 walks per nine innings during 2019. He allowed only 0.6 home runs per nine innings. He said analytics has benefitted him at times so far.

Hunter Haworth, 23 RHP.
Pitched in A-ball last year, really unlikely to make the team, just getting some work in as an extra arm. He hasn't had a ton of success in the minors yet, but he does seem to get the Ks. 103 IP at Greenville last year, 124 Ks and 40 walks.
https://soxprospects.com/players/haworth-hunter.htm

"Has a long way to go developmentally, including the refinement of his arsenal and improved control. The physical tools are there to develop into an intriguing arm, but will need to take a few big steps forward to show major league potential."

Trevor Hildenberger: 29, RHP. Non-roster invite. UPDATE: reassigned to minor league camp
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/twins-daily-bad-sliders-what-happened-to-trevor-hildenberger-last-season
From that Twins blog:

“Hildenberger was astounding in 2017. Rarely do you see a reliever with an elite groundball rate (58.8%) and great peripherals (2.92 xFIP). Hildenberger was in the top 15 for relievers with at least 40 innings pitched in 2017 for both of those stats respectively and it seemed like the Twins had a future elite reliever.
2018 started in a similar way for Hildenberger as he held a 2.06 ERA in late June and had only allowed more than one run in a single outing just once. That is, until the game from hell on June 30th.
The numbers are incredibly eye-opening as in 81 ⅓ major league innings before the outing his ERA/FIP/xFIP slash line was 2.66/3.44/3.26, and his groundball rate was 54.5%. Starting with that outing through his most recent appearance Sept. 21, 2019, his slash line becomes 9.72/5.12/4.41 with a groundball rate of just 40.9% over 50 innings.
I think I speak for most Twins fans when I ask: “What the hell happened?" His slider has never been that good by pVAL (pitch value) but his sinker/changeup combo was what allowed him to be dominant to start his career, which leads me to believe that that combo has gotten worse. His changeup pVAL was still elite in 2018 but his fastball quality went into the toilet despite gaining a small tick of velocity.”

Tanner Houck: 23, RHP. AAA, non-roster invite. UPDATE: Reassigned to minor league camp
https://soxprospects.com/players/houck-tanner.htm

Projects as a late-inning reliever, with a chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter if he can develop another secondary pitch to complement his slider and refine his fastball command. Has the size and demeanor you look for in a pitcher; able to bear down when necessary. Fastball and slider project as potential plus pitches. Changeup lags behind, but has shown potential against left-handed hitters, which will be vital given his low arm slot.

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/01/tanner-houck-should-help-2020-boston-red-sox-with-new-delivery-broader-pitch-mix-he-learned-since-being-24th-overall-pick-in-2017.html

Houck has overhauled his mechanics and added to his pitch mix since the Red Sox drafted him 24th overall out of Mizzou in 2017. The Red Sox want Houck to attack hitters in a similar way to how Porcello does: mostly using the two-seamer but also elevating with the four-seamer.
The 23-year-old posted an 8-6 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 33 outings (17 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2019. The Red Sox moved him from starting to relieving in early July with the idea he could help out Boston’s bullpen down the stretch last year. He pitched well in relief (2.05 ERA, 22 innings at Pawtucket) but he never received the call to the big leagues.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander is back to starting. He enters spring training 2020 as a non-roster invitee to big league camp. The Red Sox feel he has a lot of potential as a starter. He recorded a 3.65 ERA in his 15 starts last year.

Mike Kickham: 31, LHP. Non-roster invite. UPDATE: reassigned to minor league camp
Last pitched in the majors in 2014. His last game came against a Dodger lineup featuring Carl Crawford, Hanley Ramirez, and Adrian Gonzalez. His teammates included Pablo Sandoval. Kickham allowed 4 runs in 1.2 IP.

Adam Lau: 25, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/lau-adam.htm

Minor league reliever profile. Lacks above-average offering, but fastball/slider combination could carry him to the high minors and allow him to develop into a solid organizational arm.

Robinson Leyer: 27, RHP. Non-roster invite.
https://soxprospects.com/players/leyer-robinson.htm

Wiry-strong, athletic frame. High-effort mechanics from a 3/4 arm slot. Hitchy, off-balanced delivery lacks consistent release point. Looks away from the plate at release. Live arm, fastball sits 97-99 mph with some armside run. Poor command, below-average control. Induces weak contact. Also throws an average mid-80s slider that flashes plus and a below-average 84-85 mph split changeup. Changeup gets good separation from his fastball, but lacks location. Brother Euclides pitched in the White Sox system. Projects as upper minors depth unless he significantly improves control and command, which could require mechanical tweaks.

Chris Mazza: 30, RHP. Claimed off waivers from Mets.
https://soxprospects.com/players/mazza-chris.htm

Tall, lanky right-hander. Clean, quiet three-quarters delivery, but arm angle is not consistent for each pitch. Throws an above-average 91-92 mph sinker with really good spin, an 88-90 mph cutter, an 81-83 mph slider, and an 87 mph show-me changeup. Third cousin of Joe DiMaggio. Suffered a broken wrist in 2014. Has back-end-of-the-bullpen potential if he finds the right pitch mix.

https://theathletic.com/1651641/2020/03/03/chris-sale-red-sox-injury-starters/

Mazza made his major league debut with the Mets last season making nine appearances out of the bullpen, but spent most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse. In 14 games, 13 starts, in Syracuse he posted a 3.67 ERA. “A guy that can manipulate the ball well,” Walker said. “He’s got a sinker and throws a cutter off it. Can mix it up with sliders, got a changeup in there as well as times. A guy that’s got a different look, got different actions and can attack the zone and a guy that has been a starter in the past that can give you innings.”

Bryan Mata: 20, RHP. UPDATE: REASSIGNED
Looked good in A ball, not so good in Portland last year.
https://soxprospects.com/players/mata-bryan.htm

Projects as a back end starter, but could end up in the bullpen where his stuff would tick up and play in a late inning relief role. Has a much better chance to start now since he has taken to his new slider/cutter and cleaned up his delivery. Has a true four pitch mix with potentially two plus offerings. Still is very young and is a very intriguing arm who still has a lot of development left despite already reaching High-A. Even though he is repeating Carolina league in 2019, he still is the youngest player in the league. Has shown the ability to miss bats with all four pitches at various points in his career. With former key - physical development - now occurring, harnessing command of his arsenal will be key for his development. Will need to continue to watch conditioning as he physically matures.

Daniel McGrath: 25, LHP. Born in Australia. UPDATE: REASSIGNED
https://soxprospects.com/players/mcgrath-daniel.htm

Profiles as an organizational arm. Has both started and relieved in his career. Strong pitchability, solid deception. Very fringy four pitch mix. Lacks bat missing pitch for the major league level. Able to throw all four pitches for strikes.

Josh Osich: 31, LHP. Claimed off waivers in Oct.
https://soxprospects.com/players/osich-josh.htm

Relies on a 90-92 mph cutter, a 75-81 mph slider, a 94-96 mph sinker, an 84-87 mph changeup, and a mid-90s four-seamer. Arsenal has evolved drastically over the years, including the addition of the cutter in 2019, increased use of the slider, and decreased use of the four-seamer. Cutter is an above-average pitch with some sink and strong cut. Slider varies in speed and has some depth. Induces a lot of swings and misses. Four-seamer has sink. Inconsistent control.
Profiles as a low-leverage middle reliever, but could see high leverage innings if he's able to keep a consistent release point, hone his control for some time, and maintain the dominance of his cutter.

Denyi Reyes: 23, RHP UPDATE: REASSIGNED
https://soxprospects.com/players/reyes-denyi.htm

Profiles as an emergency up-and-down arm or a long reliever. Ceiling of a back-end starter. Stuff is fringy to profile as a major league starter, but command and control profile and advanced ability to sequence allow him to pitch above his raw stuff. This pitchability allows him to achieve greater results than you would expect given his arsenal.

Mike Shawaryn: 25, RHP. 40-man. UPDATE: optioned to AAA
Looked beyond hopeless in the majors last year.
https://soxprospects.com/players/shawaryn-mike.htm

Profiles best in a bullpen role. Could be valuable as a swingman, long relief-type capable of coming in the fifth or sixth inning and throwing two to three innings should he end up in the bullpen. Ceiling of a back-end starter if he can develop his changeup or another third offering. If his changeup takes a step forward, has the potential for three average-or-better pitches with fastball and slider showing the most potential. Strong makeup and work ethic. Combination of effort in delivery and arm slot point towards long-term bullpen role, but will be developed as a starter. Changeup development will be key to sticking as a starter as a pitch best suited to get out left-handed hitters.

Jeffrey Springs: LHP. Acquired for Sam Travis. 40-man roster.
https://www.masslive.com/sports/2020/02/jeffrey-springs-new-boston-red-sox-pitcher-went-from-minimum-1k-signing-bonus-to-big-leagues-its-less-than-that-after-taxes.html

Springs posted a 3.38 ERA in 32 innings his rookie year in 2018, but his ERA jumped to 6.40 in 32 ⅓ innings last year.
“For me, it’s moving my fastball around,” he said. “Changeup’s my bread and butter. But to be able to move the fastball down to both sides. Sink it when I need to. And I love to elevate it. For me, it’s kind of a speed-'em-up, slow-'em down game. The changeup like I said — if I can get guys on the front foot, I feel like I can throw fastballs by them and then vice versa. If they start cheating to the changeup, move the fastball. The breaking ball, the slider has gotten a lot better. I worked on it a lot this offseason. So I feel like it’s still going to be an out-pitch for me. But for me, it’s the front-to-back game, speed-'em-up, slow-'em-down."

Domingo Tapia: 28, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/tapia-domingo.htm

Tall right-hander with a filled-out lower half. Looks much heavier than his listed weight, likely more in the 210-220 pound range. Low 3/4 delivery. Gets good torque from his legs, mostly smooth delivery, although there can be whipping action in his follow-through when he reaches back. No unnecessary movements. Four-seam fastball sits in the high-90s and tops out at 100 mph. Two-seamer sits mid-90s with some run and sink. Has struggled with control over his career. Also mixes in a below-average changeup as a show-me pitch. Had Tommy John surgery in May 2015. Likely projects as a bullpen arm due to largely a 1-2 pitch mix. Could be a valuable major league bullpen arm if he gets his control worked out.

Phillips Valdez: 28, RHP. Claimed off waivers from Mariners. UPDATE: Optioned to AAA
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html

Valdez got his first taste of MLB action with the Rangers a season ago, and while he pitched to a 3.94 ERA, averaged better than 10 strikeouts per nine and induced grounders at a 53.3 percent clip, he walked more than five per nine at the same time. And Valdez wasn’t as good at Triple-A, where he recorded a 4.92 ERA/5.59 FIP with 7.44 K/9 and 4.12 BB/9 in 78 2/3 innings of work.

Ryan Weber: 29, RHP:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html

Weber has pitched in the majors for the Braves, Mariners, Rays and Red Sox since 2015, but he hasn’t experienced much success in the bigs. Weber’s fastball averaged under 89 mph last year as a member of the Red Sox, with whom he struggled to a 5.09 ERA (with a much better 4.20 FIP) and 6.42 K/9, 1.77 BB/9 and a 48.6 percent groundball rate across a career-high 40 2/3 innings. While Weber worked mostly as a reliever in 2019, the Red Sox are optimistic about his chances of turning into a capable starter or at least a bulk pitcher, thanks to increased reliance on a cutter.

Let me know if there's anyone left out who is worth adding to this list, I'll edit to add them and to keep them all in alphabetical order.

 

[jon abbey]

Nice job! Maybe you know about this, but Roster Resource just added a great feature where you can see who is still in camp and who’s been reassigned/sent down/etc.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/opening-day-tracker/red-sox

 

[chrisfont9]

I don't get why people are saying the Sox won't have enough pitching. That's 22 guys right there!

 

[donutogre]

Thanks for putting this together; it is truly helpful!

(Get ready to read lots of words like "emergency", "back end", "organizational depth", "middle relief", "lacks command", and "below average.")

Hilarious reality right there.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Nice job! Maybe you know about this, but Roster Resource just added a great feature where you can see who is still in camp and who’s been reassigned/sent down/etc.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/opening-day-tracker/red-sox

I did not know that, thanks! Will update now that Reyes, Mata, and McGrath have been reassigned.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

You left out Nuke Laloosh.

 

[Ale Xander]

Fantastic post, TGE

 

[shaggydog2000]

You left out Nuke Laloosh.

We wish.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Austin Brice is a friend of a friend, so at least I have a rooting interest in one guy here

 

[MartyBC]

Thank you!

 

[nighthob]

I had completely forgotten that Adam Lau was in the organization. Also, isn't Chris Mazza a sportswriter? Why's he throwing for the Sox?

 

[edoug]

I had completely forgotten that Adam Lau was in the organization. Also, isn't Chris Mazza a sportswriter? Why's he throwing for the Sox?

It's his turn?
Thanks The Gray Eagle awesome post. A huge example of why most of us want to be here.

 

[Barbara Charles]

Fantastic post, TGE

I'll second that.

 

[Plympton91]

Thanks for pulling that all together Grey Eagle, it’s a fantastic one stop shop for slop.

The write up on Walden seems out of date though. He had a very solid nearly full major league season last year. Either he pitched with a lot of luck or the Red Sox helped him focus on a few things that worked. I was a skeptic all season, but he went through some ups and downs and come out successful on the whole.

 

[Coachster]

Speaking of long-lost pitchers, what ever happened to Austin Maddox?

 

[Melrose Diner]

Speaking of long-lost pitchers, what ever happened to Austin Maddox?

Lost two seasons due to shoulder surgery. Working his way back and hopefully gets into some game action because It would be a neat story if he could overcome that

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

The write up on Walden seems out of date though. He had a very solid nearly full major league season last year. Either he pitched with a lot of luck or the Red Sox helped him focus on a few things that worked.

Could be a bit of both. One red flag that luck was likely a factor: he had a low BABIP allowed (.264) despite a quite high ground ball rate (53.2%) and low FB rate (27.2%). OTOH, his average exit velocity was quite low (19th percentile). His xwOBA is about 20 points higher than his real wOBA according to Statcast. Not a huge difference, but he's probably a fringier reliever than BABIP luck made him appear. Still, I would agree that last year's performance should give him a bit of an inside track on a middle relief slot compared to the other guys in TGE's post.

 

[jon abbey]

Lots of moves today:

“Here are Sunday’s moves.

· Catcher Roldani Baldwin, catcher/infielder Connor Wong, infielder Jeter Downs, first baseman Josh Ockimey, and pitchers R.J. Alvarez, Trevor Hildenberger, Tanner Houck, and Mike Kickham reassigned to minor league camp. All eight were non-roster invites to big league camp.

· Corner infielder Bobby Dalbec, middle infielder C.J. Chatham, and pitchers Kyle Hart, Mike Shawaryn, and Phillips Valdez optioned to Triple-A.

· Outfielder Marcus Wilson optioned to Double-A.

· Lefty Yoan Aybar was optioned to high Class-A”

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Thanks. Updated the jettisoning of the flotsam.

I also removed Walden, since he isn't really a "Who the hell is this" guy anymore and he's quite likely to make the team. Weber was on the team last year and seems pretty likely to make it this time, so maybe I should take him off too?

This looks like the end here for Hildenberger and Kickham, if not more.

Here are the ones who are left:

Eduard Bazardo: 24, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/bazardo-eduard.htm

Projects as an emergency up and down reliever. Ceiling of a solid middle reliever. Frame and lack of a third pitch point to a bullpen projection long-term. Progress has been slow and could be accelerated in a relief role.

Austin Brice: 27, RHP. Out of options. Born in Hong Kong.
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/02/austin-brice-new-boston-red-sox-pitcher-without-options-i-go-into-every-camp-thinking-i-dont-have-a-job.html

Brice put together a solid 2019 season. He posted a 3.43 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4.87 WHIP, .214 batting average against, seven holds and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 36 outings (44 ⅔ innings) for the Marlins.
It marked the best season of his major league career to date. He had posted a 5.68 ERA in 70 outings (84 innings) from 2016-18.
Brice features a four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker and changeup. He uses the changeup mainly vs. left-handed hitters.
His curveball usage increased from 28.1% in 2018 to 44.7% in 2019 while his four-seam fastball usage increased from 19.8% to 31.5%, per Statcast. Meanwhile, his sinker usage dropped from 48.5% to 19.5%.

Matt Hall: 26, LHP.
Was terrible in 31 IP for the Tigers in ‘18 and ‘19.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html

Joined the Red Sox in a minor trade with the Tigers in January. The spin rate darling has enjoyed some success in the minors, shown in part by a 4.25 ERA with 10.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 144 Triple-A innings, but has allowed almost 10 runs per nine with 5.17 BB/9 in a smaller sample of major league frames (31 1/3).

Hunter Haworth, 23 RHP.
Pitched in A-ball last year, really unlikely to make the team, just getting some work in as an extra arm. He hasn't had a ton of success in the minors yet, but he does seem to get the Ks. 103 IP at Greenville last year, 124 Ks and 40 walks.
Hunter Haworth | SoxProspects.com

soxprospects.com

"Has a long way to go developmentally, including the refinement of his arsenal and improved control. The physical tools are there to develop into an intriguing arm, but will need to take a few big steps forward to show major league potential."

Adam Lau: 25, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/lau-adam.htm

Minor league reliever profile. Lacks above-average offering, but fastball/slider combination could carry him to the high minors and allow him to develop into a solid organizational arm.

Robinson Leyer: 27, RHP. Non-roster invite.
https://soxprospects.com/players/leyer-robinson.htm

Wiry-strong, athletic frame. High-effort mechanics from a 3/4 arm slot. Hitchy, off-balanced delivery lacks consistent release point. Looks away from the plate at release. Live arm, fastball sits 97-99 mph with some armside run. Poor command, below-average control. Induces weak contact. Also throws an average mid-80s slider that flashes plus and a below-average 84-85 mph split changeup. Changeup gets good separation from his fastball, but lacks location. Brother Euclides pitched in the White Sox system. Projects as upper minors depth unless he significantly improves control and command, which could require mechanical tweaks.

Chris Mazza: 30, RHP. Claimed off waivers from Mets.
https://soxprospects.com/players/mazza-chris.htm

Tall, lanky right-hander. Clean, quiet three-quarters delivery, but arm angle is not consistent for each pitch. Throws an above-average 91-92 mph sinker with really good spin, an 88-90 mph cutter, an 81-83 mph slider, and an 87 mph show-me changeup. Third cousin of Joe DiMaggio. Suffered a broken wrist in 2014. Has back-end-of-the-bullpen potential if he finds the right pitch mix.

https://theathletic.com/1651641/2020/03/03/chris-sale-red-sox-injury-starters/

Mazza made his major league debut with the Mets last season making nine appearances out of the bullpen, but spent most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse. In 14 games, 13 starts, in Syracuse he posted a 3.67 ERA. “A guy that can manipulate the ball well,” Walker said. “He’s got a sinker and throws a cutter off it. Can mix it up with sliders, got a changeup in there as well as times. A guy that’s got a different look, got different actions and can attack the zone and a guy that has been a starter in the past that can give you innings.”

Josh Osich: 31, LHP. Claimed off waivers in Oct.
https://soxprospects.com/players/osich-josh.htm

Relies on a 90-92 mph cutter, a 75-81 mph slider, a 94-96 mph sinker, an 84-87 mph changeup, and a mid-90s four-seamer. Arsenal has evolved drastically over the years, including the addition of the cutter in 2019, increased use of the slider, and decreased use of the four-seamer. Cutter is an above-average pitch with some sink and strong cut. Slider varies in speed and has some depth. Induces a lot of swings and misses. Four-seamer has sink. Inconsistent control.
Profiles as a low-leverage middle reliever, but could see high leverage innings if he's able to keep a consistent release point, hone his control for some time, and maintain the dominance of his cutter.

Jeffrey Springs: LHP. Acquired for Sam Travis. 40-man roster.
https://www.masslive.com/sports/2020/02/jeffrey-springs-new-boston-red-sox-pitcher-went-from-minimum-1k-signing-bonus-to-big-leagues-its-less-than-that-after-taxes.html

Springs posted a 3.38 ERA in 32 innings his rookie year in 2018, but his ERA jumped to 6.40 in 32 ⅓ innings last year.
“For me, it’s moving my fastball around,” he said. “Changeup’s my bread and butter. But to be able to move the fastball down to both sides. Sink it when I need to. And I love to elevate it. For me, it’s kind of a speed-'em-up, slow-'em down game. The changeup like I said — if I can get guys on the front foot, I feel like I can throw fastballs by them and then vice versa. If they start cheating to the changeup, move the fastball. The breaking ball, the slider has gotten a lot better. I worked on it a lot this offseason. So I feel like it’s still going to be an out-pitch for me. But for me, it’s the front-to-back game, speed-'em-up, slow-'em-down."

Domingo Tapia: 28, RHP
https://soxprospects.com/players/tapia-domingo.htm

Tall right-hander with a filled-out lower half. Looks much heavier than his listed weight, likely more in the 210-220 pound range. Low 3/4 delivery. Gets good torque from his legs, mostly smooth delivery, although there can be whipping action in his follow-through when he reaches back. No unnecessary movements. Four-seam fastball sits in the high-90s and tops out at 100 mph. Two-seamer sits mid-90s with some run and sink. Has struggled with control over his career. Also mixes in a below-average changeup as a show-me pitch. Had Tommy John surgery in May 2015. Likely projects as a bullpen arm due to largely a 1-2 pitch mix. Could be a valuable major league bullpen arm if he gets his control worked out.

Ryan Weber: 29, RHP:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/03/camp-battles-bostons-rotation.html

Weber has pitched in the majors for the Braves, Mariners, Rays and Red Sox since 2015, but he hasn’t experienced much success in the bigs. Weber’s fastball averaged under 89 mph last year as a member of the Red Sox, with whom he struggled to a 5.09 ERA (with a much better 4.20 FIP) and 6.42 K/9, 1.77 BB/9 and a 48.6 percent groundball rate across a career-high 40 2/3 innings. While Weber worked mostly as a reliever in 2019, the Red Sox are optimistic about his chances of turning into a capable starter or at least a bulk pitcher, thanks to increased reliance on a cutter.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Mazza couldn’t get thru the 9th today with a 4 run lead. Needed Durbin Feltman to get the final out

 

[jon abbey]

Ryan Weber through 3 starts: 9 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, via Pete Abe.

 

[Mueller's Twin Grannies]

Mazza couldn’t get thru the 9th today with a 4 run lead. Needed Durbin Feltman to get the final out

And that's why he's the closer of the future!

 

[BaseballJones]

Ryan Weber through 3 starts: 9 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, via Pete Abe.

5-year career era of 5.04, era+ of 87.

Can't imagine how he's actually going to be successful as a starter, unless he's discovered something.

 

[JM3]

Bradford think he's the #4 starter & talks about adjustments he's made to be quicker to the plate.

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/meet-your-likely-red-sox-no-4-starter-ryan-weber

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

Austin Brice is a friend of a friend, so at least I have a rooting interest in one guy here

Austin Brice graduated from the high school my son goes to now. Gotta support the local kid, so he's got two rooters here.

 

[DominicJD]

I had a "who the hell is that guy" moment tonight watching Kevin Lenik "close-out" the 9th... https://soxprospects.com/players/lenik-kevin.htm

 

[channel 38]

Lost two seasons due to shoulder surgery. Working his way back and hopefully gets into some game action because It would be a neat story if he could overcome that

So this is a surprise; I was rooting for him too.