Red Sox MiLB Notebook: Wikelman Gonzalez pitches out of bullpen, Coffey on a heater at the plate, Chase Shugart strikes out a season high
Red Sox pitching prospect Wikelman Gonzalez pitched out of the Portland Sea Dogs bullpen for the second time this season.
He tossed two scoreless frames and allowed three hits and no runs while walking nobody and striking out five in Portland’s 5-2 loss to Reading on Saturday.
Gonzalez has struggled this season, posting a 7.58 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP over 11 outings (nine starts). The right-hander has struggled with walks, averaging six walks per nine innings.
In two relief outings, Gonzalez has tossed five scoreless frames, allowed four hits, and walked one while striking out nine. Prior to his relief appearance on Saturday, his previous outings out of the bullpen came on April 21.
Boston has used their minor league starters out of the bullpen at times this season. WooSox starter Richard Fitts has pitched out of the bullpen this season. Worcester skipper Chad Tracy told reporters the Red Sox wanted to give Fitts exposure out of the bullpen in case he’s ever promoted, and his first time out of the bullpen isn’t in the big leagues.
Cutter Coffey’s heater at the plate continues
Red Sox infield prospect Cutter Coffey crushed a two-run homer to deep left-center field in the fifth inning of the Greenville Drive’s 8-4 win over Asheville on Saturday.
The 20-year-old has now homered in six straight games, setting a new team record. He’s 11-for-24 with seven homers, one double, and 17 RBI over his current heater at the plate.
Coffey was drafted in the second round (41st overall) during the 2022 MLB draft out of Liberty High in Bakersfield, Calif.
This season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound infielder is hitting .232/.313/.507 with 11 homers, six doubles, 33 RBI, 15 walks, and four stolen bases with a .820 OPS.
Chase Shugart strikes out a season high Saturday night
WooSox pitcher Chase Shugart was impressive out of the bullpen during Worcester’s 4-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons.
Shugart was electric, striking out a season-high seven over three innings of one-hit baseball. The hard-throwing right-hander has primarily been used out of the WooSox bullpen this season, making two starts.
The 27-year-old is enjoying a better 2024 season, where he’s posted a 2-1 record with a 4.45 ERA, converting one save while striking out 41 to 18 walks with a 1.45 WHIP over 32 1 /3 frames.
Shugart admitted he didn’t have the best season in 2023. Prior to the start of 2024, the Texas native spoke with Beyond the Monster and commented on how thankful he was that the Red Sox didn’t give up on him.
“I am bringing with me the confidence into 2024 that the organization had in me, especially after the season I had, that they still wanted me there in big league camp,” Shugart said. “It gave me the confidence and made me want to work harder. I put myself in the best position I could to help the WooSox win, or if I am called upon to help the Red Sox win. I feel like I have the ability to do that in whatever situation I am in and wherever I am pitching.”
Shugart has been a reliable option for Tracy out of the bullpen while also being a leader in the WooSox clubhouse.
