New Red Sox prospect described as 'Clay Homes-type mold' pitcher
The Red Sox and White Sox completed their second trade of the offseason on Dec. 21, this one a little more under-the-radar than the massive Garrett Crochet blockbuster completed during the Winter Meetings.
Boston traded left-handed reliever Cam Booser to Chicago for teenage right-handed pitching prospect Yhoiker Fajardo.
The 18-year-old made his professional debut for the White Dominion Summer League team and went 1-4, 3.91 ERA, with 64 strikeouts to just eight walks over 50.2 innings. He also earned a midseason DSL All-Star nomination.
The right-hander joined the White Sox organization out of Venezuela, signing for $400,000. The 6-foot-3, 181-pounder is a lottery ticket, but a good gamble to make when acquiring him for a 32-year-old left-handed reliever.
Fajardo is an interesting arm; his fastball sits at 92 mph while topping out at 95 mph this past season. He offers a slider that sits in the low 80s that pairs well with his heater.
Baseball America lists Fajardo as a “good athlete without much effort to his operation; he has good arm action, and the ball comes out of his hand cleanly. There should be more velocity in the tank. His repeatable delivery helps him throw strikes with a willingness to pitch inside more than most his age. His low-80s slider has late bite when it’s on to help him miss bats. He shows some feel for a firm changeup as well.”
While pitching in the DSL, he threw a three-pitch mix, a fastball, slider, and changeup. His fastball has “run and sink and shows advanced feel for control of it for someone of his age,” according to his new SoxProspects scouting report.
According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, a baseball evaluator described Fajardo as being in “a Clay Holmes-type mold.”
The Mets signed Holmes this offseason and are planning to turn him into a starter. Holmes has been a reliable reliever throughout his career, especially with his time playing for the Yankees.
It’s very early on in his development, and Fajardo is truly a lottery ticket, but with the new Red Sox pitching pipeline and focus, the team could help turn him into an effective hurler that’ll impact the lower levels of the system in the coming years. The righty is light-years away from Fenway Park, but the Red Sox trading a veteran reliever for a potential flamethrower is good business, and Boston should do more of this as they build out their pitching pipeline.
The Pesky Report MiLB podcast name dropped Yhoiker Fajardo before he was acquired by the Red Sox
Before the Red Sox acquired 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Yhoiker Fajardo as part of the Cam Booser trade to the White Sox, the guys from the Pesky Report MiLB podcast named dropped him as someone who should have been in the Garrett Crochet trade.
3 Red Sox players that should be extended not named Garrett Crochet
Who are three Red Sox players or prospects that should be extended this offseason not named Garrett Crochet. Ed and Hogdale give their three choices for Craig Breslow and the front office to extend similar to what the Braves have done the last couple of years.
Justin Slaten talks about dealing with social media during his rookie season
Red Sox pitcher Justin Slaten talks about whether it was hard to disassociate himself from social media during the season especially after bad outings.
Quinn Priester following trade to the Red Sox: 'There's a lot to be excited about'
Quinn Priester was overwhelmed by the media contingent at Polar Park following his trade to the Red Sox for prospect Nick Yorke over the summer. Quinn shares his initial reactions to the trade and his excitement to join the Red Sox organization.
