Red Sox claim 26-year-old right-handed pitcher off waivers from Astros
The Red Sox claimed right-handed reliever Alex Speas off waivers from the Astros and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, the team announced.
Speas, 26, is a hard-throwing righty who has topped out at 100.4 mph with his fastball. He has reached 99.7 mph with his fastball in his only major league outing for the Astros this season.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has spent time with three organizations this season (Athletics, White Sox, and Astros). Speas has struggled with his command, walking 22 batters in 21 2/3 frames. In total, he’s posted a 3-3 record with a 10.38 ERA in 21 games with three holds, 31 strikeouts, and 22 walks with a 2.26 WHIP.
His tremendous velocity has helped him post a 32.73% strikeout rate across his time in the minors. Boston will attempt to see if they can solve Speas control issues on the mound.
Speas is a former second-round pick for the Rangers in the 2016 MLB draft. His best season came during the 2023 season, when he posted a 2.86 ERA over 56 2/3 innings, split between Triple-A and Double-A.
The former McEachern High School alum saw his 2018 season cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery. He spent the majority of the 2019 season rehabbing his right elbow. Due to the cancellation of Minor League Baseball in 2019, Speas did not pitch. He returned to action in 2021 in the Rangers organization and spent the 2022 season on the restricted list, stepping away from the game to work as a coach and instructor at Combine Academy in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Speas returned to baseball in 2023.
