Red Sox’ Blake Wehunt named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week
Red Sox pitching prospect Blake Wehunt has been named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the wee of April 29-May 5, Minor League Baseball announced.
Wehunt earned his first win of his professional career for Low-A Salem in their 3-1 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Carilion Clinic Field on Sunday.
The 23-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and zero walks and a season-high eight strikeouts over five scoreless innings of work. The only hit came off the bat of Christian Hernandez in the first inning with two outs. He also hit a batter with two outs in the fifth inning.
In four starts for Salem, the righty has posted a 1.15 ERA and 2.84 FIP with 20 strikeouts to eight walks over 15 2/3 innings. He’s held opposing hitters to a .148 batting average against during that span.
Wehunt was drafted in the ninth round in last year’s MLB draft out of Kennesaw State. He signed with the Red Sox for $100,000 and made his debut in the Florida Complex League, there he made one appearance, tossing a scoreless frame.
At 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, Wehunt throws from a three-quarters arm slot and offers a three-pitch mix that consists of a 93-94 mph power fastball that tops out at 96 mph. It’s considered an above-average pitch. The imposing tall righty also has a 82-85 mph sweeping slider, and an 84-85 mph splitter, per his SoxProspects.com scouting report.
The Red Sox like Wehunt’s fastball and his delivery and the organization thins they can work with him from a player development standpoint.
