Brain Van Belle promoted to Triple-A Worcester
After 81 strong innings, Brian Van Belle has been promoted to the Worcester Red Sox. Featuring a 3.00 ERA for the Portland Sea Dogs, he has put together the most impressive season of his professional career. At 26 years old Van Belle is certainly an older prospect. Despite having a different path than most, it’s not one completely unfamiliar to others currently in the minor leagues.
A senior at the University of Miami in 2020, he lost out on the chance to really impress. Even though the season was canceled early on due to the pandemic, he still did post solid numbers. In 26.1 innings pitched he recorded 38 punchouts with just 4 walks. Come June of that same year, Van Belle’s chances at a professional career were hampered by the MLB Draft being cut down to just 5 rounds. Combined with the precedent of college seniors not being drafted high, Van Belle’s chances of being drafted essentially went from slim to none.
Thankfully for the then 23-year-old, the Red Sox came calling and he was a member of the organization just 6 days after the draft. Like the college season (and just about most things in general) the minor league season was canceled in 2020, delaying his professional debut to 2021. In the 2021 season, it was a mediocre beginning for the former Miami Hurricane, sporting a 4.10 ERA in 79 innings pitched for the High-A Greenville Drive.
Opening the next season at the same level with a midseason promotion, his numbers were again uninspiring in 2022. Now in what could’ve been a make-or-break season, he has earned a mid-season promotion. This time the promotion comes under different circumstances, strong performance, and not just roster necessity.
Just because he’s performed well though, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a hint of roster necessity. Currently at AAA, the only true starter is former Sea Dog teammate Shane Drohan. The WooSox will be welcoming Van Belle with open arms, given their lack of true starting.
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