Angel Bastardo emerging as serious pitching prospect for the Boston Red Sox
When it came to pitching prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization to start the 2023 season, there were clear tiers.
You had the pitchers in Triple-A that were close to making an impact in the Majors. This tier was headlined by Chris Murphy, Bryan Mata, and Brandon Walter.
Then there were the guys in the lower levels that were seen as projects but had high ceilings. We're talking about names like Luis Perales, Wikelman Gonzalez, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, and Jedixson Paez.
Somewhere in the middle landed Angel Bastardo. He fits into that mold with the high-ceiling project players. For some reason, Bastardo didn't get lumped in with them as much.
Still 20 (he turns 21 on June 18), he's been pitching in High-A all season. The right-handed starter throws a mid-90s fastball that can show some good movement. His breaking and off-speed stuff have looked devastating at times too.
Bastardo features a mid-80s changeup with a strong late drop-off. He also has a mid-80s curveball that he can bury at times. Finally, a high-80s slider that shows sharp movement at times.
The fastball and changeup (which might be my bias because I have a torrid love affair with changeups) have been his best two pitches this season. However, everything has looked pretty advanced for a 20-year-old overall.
Bastardo's first five starts of the season led to some rough numbers. The Venezuela native had a 6.65 ERA, .233 BAA, and 1.39 WHIP. He did have 31 strikeouts in 23 innings, but also had 12 walks and surrendered four home runs.
Overall, a lot of the numbers were positive. The ERA, home runs, and walks were a little troubling, but it was evident from the beginning that Bastardo might have something special.
In six starts (30 2/3 innings) since then, we're seeing that "something special."
Over his last six starts, Angel Bastardo has allowed seven earned runs. He's walked 15 batters and struck out an eye-popping 40 batters.
In the first five starts, Bastardo had a 14.1% BB rate and a 31.3% K rate. Over his last six starts, the righty has a better 11.8% BB rate and 31.5% K rate.
Meanwhile, his home run percentage has dropped from 4% to 0.7%.
As of June 14, Bastardo has thrown 908 pitches this season. Of those 908 pitches, 570 of those have been for strikes (62.7%). And 170 of those strikes have been whiffs (29.8% of his strikes).
Angel Bastardo is passing all the tests. As a 20-year-old in High-A, he is throwing strikes and missing bats. His walk and strikeout rates are improving as the season goes on, and he's stopped surrendering the long ball.
On the season, Bastardo now has a 4.02 ERA, .207 BAA, and 1.27 WHIP. He's struck out 71 batters and walked 27 in 53 2/3 innings. The righty has managed to go six innings three times already and has limited the home runs to five.
His pitch mix is improving, with a live fastball and some intriguing and potentially deadly off-speed and breaking stuff. The Boston Red Sox pitching prospects have been under fire lately, but they might have an Angel on the mound (I'm sorry I had to do it) to silence the critics.
Follow Hunter on Twitter @Hunter_Noll.
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB, and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
Join our new Facebook group for all of our latest content, click the link here.