Frank German has been dominant for the WooSox
'I think I’ve definitely gotten into more of a reliever mindset, but I like to think of myself just as just any pitcher'
The Red Sox have been searching for bullpen answers all season. It wasn’t until recently that the Red Sox finally had enough of the subpar performances from Austin Davis and Hirokazu Sawamura. Both were DFA’d and Davis landed with the Twins as a result.
Boston recently added Zack Kelly to their bullpen and he’s been an upgrade. Understandably, the sample size is small for Kelly, but through five games he’s pitched to a 3.18 ERA, surrendering five hits, two runs (both earned) and has five strikeouts.
As the Red Sox begin to infuse more youth into the roster another arm in Worcester has been having a great season and deserves a shot.
Frank German has been dominant in 41 games for the WooSox. The New York native has posted a 2.83 ERA with seven saves, 62 strikeouts, 0.92 WHIP in 47 2/3 innings pitched.
The right-hander has been one of the team’s more consistent and best relievers since May. Most importantly, German has looked comfortable in his role in the WooSox bullpen.
“I think I’ve definitely gotten into more of a reliever mindset, but I like to think of myself just as just any pitcher, just a nameless, faceless pitcher on the mound who’s just helping the team,” German said last week. “Don’t try to like give yourself certain responsibilities that you don’t have any authority to give, but also just still just stay like within the game. Don’t don’t try to do more than you can.”
German came to the Red Sox organization last season with Adam Ottavino trade with the Yankees. The 25-year-old reliever is a hard thrower who features a fastball in the upper 90’s. He also has a slider and a splitter, which is his best secondary pitch in his arsenal.
“I think I’ve always been a guy who can spin the ball better than I can sink it,” German said. “Right now the splitter I’ve been working on has been a real help, because that’s a pitch that plays right off your fastball and my fastball’s my most used pitch. So a pitch like that, you need that.”
The Red Sox could easily elevate German to the major league roster and jettison Ryan Brasier. The 35-year-old Brasier has been hot and cold all season long. The Weatherford College alum has posted a 6.36 ERA and 1.433 WHIP in 57 games for the Red Sox.
With only weeks left in this disappointing Red Sox season, getting a look at German at the big league level makes more sense than trotting out Brasier.
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