WooSox Notebook: How Richard Fitts Fared In Latest Rehab Outing; Top Prospect Homers

It’s been quite an educational experience for Boston Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts since earning a starting rotation spot for the club on Opening Day.

After recently returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain, the rookie right-hander was torched for six runs (five earned) and allowed three home runs in one inning of work against the Los Angeles Angels on June 2.

Optioned to Triple-A Worcester, Fitts’ struggles continued in his first start with the Woo Sox on June 7 when he allowed four earned runs on six hits in three innings of work against Rochester.

Taking the mound on Thursday, the former sixth-round draft selection of the New York Yankees was looking to get back on track in his start against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Despite looking sharp in his first two innings of work, problems emerged for Fitts in the bottom of the fourth inning that began innocently with a walk of Garrett Stubbs, followed by a catcher interference ruling that led to another base runner, and finally a passed ball that moved runners into scoring position.

The traffic on the base paths preceded a two-run double off the bat of Óscar Mercado that plated Lehigh Valley’s first runs of the game. Fitts would allow two more runs in the inning and would later be pulled by manager Chad Tracy to begin the bottom of the fifth.

Overall, Fitts pitched four innings, allowing five hits, two walks and three earned runs, while striking out four batters in the contest.

Vaughn Grissom collects four hits in breakout performance

There was a time not long ago when Vaughn Grissom was considered a major part of the Red Sox’s future plans. Acquired for Chris Sale in a one-for-one deal with the Atlanta Braves in 2023, various injuries and poor performance have cast doubt on his future in Boston.

That being said, Grissom had a breakout performance in the WooSox’s 13-3 win over Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night.

Earning the start at shortstop, the 24-year-old let his bat do the talking, notching four hits in five at-bats, scoring three runs, and contributing an RBI in a dominant Worcester victory.

With Grissom’s path to regular playing time blocked by Boston’s crowded infield mix, it would not be a surprise to see rival ball clubs take interest in the former Braves top prospect later this summer.

Currently batting .269 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 219 at-bats, Grissom has certainly kept his name in the mix for a promotion to Boston if his bat continues to stay hot. That said, injuries would have to mount.

The ‘Password’ Goes Deep For The Second Time This Week

Following the recent promotion of Boston’s top prospects, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, Jhostynxon Garcia has made a solid case to become the team’s next big thing.

That’s because the talented 22-year-old outfielder has made a seamless transition to Worcester’s starting lineup since earning a promotion last month.

That was evident again on Thursday when Garcia launched a first-inning two-run blast that traveled 409 feet with an exit velocity of 108 mph off IronPigs’ starter Gabe Mosser.

The native of Venezuela also went deep in the third inning on Wednesday, delivering a solo shot off Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangal that traveled 372 feet with an exit velocity of 104.3 of the bat.

In 18 games since being promoted from Double-A Portland, ‘The Password’ has more than handled Triple-A pitching, and is currently batting .342 with 30 hits, six home runs, and 11 RBIs in his first 76 at-bats.