Garrett Crochet Reveals He ‘Looks Up’ To New Red Sox Teammate

Garrett Crochet is getting adjusted to a new spring training environment after he swapped teams in the offseason when the Chicago White Sox traded him to the Boston Red Sox.

The biggest change for Crochet in joining a new team?

“Getting to know names. That’s probably the toughest part,” Crochet told reporters Wednesday, per team-provided video. “Other than that, just playing ball.”

Crochet is taking the start of spring training to fine-tune things on the mound and get to know his new Red Sox teammates.

But Crochet doesn’t need any introduction to Boston’s fellow offseason acquisition Walker Buehler. Crochet is well-versed in Buehler’s credentials and is thrilled to be on the same pitching staff with the veteran right-hander this season.

“Personally speaking, that’s a guy that I’ve looked up to and admired since I was in high school,” Crochet said. “I followed his career at Vanderbilt and then into the big leagues. So it’s really cool to be able to share the locker room with him, watch his full (bullpen sessions) and kind of pick his brain afterward. That’s something I look forward to doing for the rest of the year.”

Crochet and Buehler, who signed a one-year, prove-it deal worth $21.05 million, were notable additions to the Red Sox starting rotation and they’ll be leaned on to lift up the unit in 2025.

Crochet, 25, still has to prove himself as a starter since he has only one year of experience in that role. But Buehler, who is five years older than Crochet, has already done that throughout his career. Buehler spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and made 122 starts over that span — Crochet has just 32 starts on his résumé.

Buehler’s best seasons came in 2019 and 2021 when he earned All-Star appearances. He dazzled four seasons ago when he went 16-4 in a career-high 33 starts, posted a 2.47 ERA, and struck out 212 batters in 207 2/3 innings.

But after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, Buehler struggled in his return last season. He made 16 starts, in which he went 1-6 with a bloated 5.38 ERA. Buehler found his form in the playoffs, though, closing his postseason run with 10 scoreless innings, including securing the final out of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.

All of Buehler’s experience will allow him to impart his wisdom on the rest of the Red Sox staff. And Crochet certainly will be closely listening.