Blake Wehunt shines once again for Salem Red Sox on Thursday
It’s going to be tough to find a pitcher more locked in on the mound in the Red Sox organization right now than Blake Wehunt.
The 23-year-old got the start on Thursday for Salem and picked up his second win of the year after throwing five solid innings against Fayetteville.
Wehunt threw 5 innings where he gave up 1 run and 3 hits. He allowed 2 walks and struck out 7 batters. The outing has been just another reminder of the exceptional year the right-hander has had.
The Georgia native has started 7 games this season and carries a 2.22 ERA over 28.1 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .167 off of him this season and he is carrying an outstanding 13.0 K/9. In his first two starts in May, he had a combined 18 strikeouts and 34 swings and misses. He is even better against right-handed hitters, as righties only hit .127 off of him.
At 23-years-old, it might be time the Red Sox move him up to High-A Greenville given the success he has had at the Low-A level. In some cases, pitchers start to look like they need better challenges and this case falls into that bucket. He would be a logical replacement for recently departed starter Luis Perales, who earned a promotion to Double-A Portland.
Coming in at 6-7, 240 pounds, Wehunt presents an intimidating presence when on the mound. The biggest question mark is going to be whether the fit long term is in a starting role or a bullpen role. As of right now, Wehunt belongs in the starting rotation and should be getting the chance in Greenville sooner than later.
Will the Red Sox be buyers at the MLB trade deadline? Craig Breslow weighs in on his latest radio appearance
There’s a lot of baseball left to be played between Friday night’s series opener against the Brewers at Fenway Park and the trade deadline at the end of July. Boston sits in fourth place and eight games behind the Yankees for first place in the American League East, and they sit just a half game for a Wild Card spot.