Red Sox Pitcher Off To ‘Eye-Opening’ Spring Training Start

The Red Sox have plenty of fresh faces to be excited about down in Fort Myers, Fla.

Garrett Crochet has some truly impressive stuff, and his first spring with the club will showcase how important it can be to have a legitimate ace. Alex Bregman will soon show up, marking the end of a months-long saga over whether he’d join them or not. Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell are some of the most respected prospects in baseball, and should each have a chance to break camp with the big club.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has his eyes on someone in particular, though.

“(Garrett) Whitlock,” Cora said on Thursday, as seen on NESN. “I could say something else, but the other day when he threw the ball, it was similar to who he was in ’21 but with more velocity. Physically, you see him and he’s a lot different — leaner, stronger. The stuff, two or three days ago, that was eye-opening. I know he’s been in the big leagues, he’s been hurt, but I truly believe we have to keep an eye on him. If he keeps going this way, he’s going to have a great season.”

Cora was specifically asked which member of the current roster has him excited, so it shouldn’t be overlooked that he chose the same person he had four seasons prior.

Whitlock just hasn’t been able to come close to that production since.

Whitlock was one of the best relievers in baseball during his rookie season, but that success led him down a difficult path in which he was constantly moved between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Boston wanted to capitalize on the fact that he had some of the best stuff in the entire organization, which would have been a decent idea if hip, elbow and oblique injuries didn’t limit him to 23 starts and 57 total appearances over the last three seasons.

The Red Sox decided to send him back to the bullpen, which already has shown to be a smart one given his increased velocity and the role he’ll be able to fill surrounding newcomers Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman.

Cora is clearly excited about what that means moving forward.