Red Sox lefty Chris Sale on Bryan Mata: ‘You can tell, just how he operates, he really wants it’
Red Sox prospect Bryan Mata made his return back from Tommy John surgery last season. The promising right-hander underwent surgery back in 2021 but looked impressive in his return last season.
The No. 6 ranked Red Sox prospect according MLB Pipeline has a lot of people rooting for him to succeed, including ace Chris Sale.
At Red Sox Winter Weekend, Sale was asked which prospects he was excited to see the most and mentioned Mata.
“I'm biased, because I'm a pitcher, but I love watching Mata throw,” Sale said. “I was there with him [in Fort Myers, Fla.] during his rehab process during Tommy John. We rehabbed together, and I saw him really turn a corner. The power he possesses, the ease that it looks like he's throwing with. Not for nothing, man, that dude's smile can light up a room. He's a fun guy to be around. He's a good teammate. You can tell, just how he operates, he really wants it.”
The 23-year-old provides the Red Sox as another young option for the rotation in the future. As of right now, Mata is expected to begin the 2023 season with the Triple-A WooSox.
Last season the righty was 2-0 in five starts for the WooSox with a 3.47 ERA in 23 1/3 innings of work.
Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham speaks for the organization when he says the organization is excited for Mata.
“A guy with his size, the work he has put in, the stuff, it’s hard to beat that type of excitement for a starter,” said Abraham to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “Excited to see what he can do. Excited to see the work he’s put in this offseason coming to Spring Training healthy and ready to impact the upper levels.”
Mata is focused on closing the difficult chapter of Tommy John surgery and focus strictly on his journey to the majors. He was also very appreciate of the kind words by the veteran Sale.
“I'm really grateful for it to have spent that time with him,” said Mata. “You know, he attended some of my bullpens. I attended some of his. He had a lot of great advice, and to have a pitcher of his stature be there advising you is a big deal for me, and I don’t take it lightly.”
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
