Red Sox Notes: Garrett Crochet downplays hitting triple digits, two starters vying for a spot in the rotation, WooSox' Grant Gambrell’s ‘velocity has ticked up’
New Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet had an impressive outing on Wednesday, striking out seven batters over three scoreless innings versus the Rays.
Crochet’s fastballs were eye-popping on the scoreboard down at Fenway South, clocking in at 101 mph, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. Boston uses its own TrackMan device instead of Statcast to measure the pitcher's velocity.
The southpaw doubted the triple digits shown on the scoreboard at JetBlue Park.
“I think that was a misread,” Crochet told reporters following his start. “I was feeling good, and I know it was coming out well, but I don’t think it was that well.”
The lefty looked the part of the ace the Sox acquired from the White Sox for four prospects back in December. He allowed just two hits while walking one with his seven punch outs over his 44-pitch performance.
Brayan Bello is still working his way back from right shoulder inflammation he suffered at the start of camp. Bello’s uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster is in question; Boston has two internal candidates that could fill his spot in the rotation once camp breaks in a few weeks.
Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts have both had strong springs, both making the case to serve as the Red Sox No. 5 starter.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora plans to have both right-handed pitchers throw on the same day, one in Major League camp and the other on the back fields, according to Ian Browne.
The ball has looked good coming out of Fitts’ hand this spring, hitting 100 mph last week. The right-hander who made four starts at the end of last season has turned heads this spring. His velocity has improved; his breaking ball has been playing well off his heater, including his new curveball that the club had him work on over the winter.
“I used to just attack guys with fastballs, and I loved it, but it may not have been the best idea,” said Fitts. “I’m moving up in the ranks, and I’m at the point now where I feel like I can have multiple plus pitches instead of just one. It’s really encouraging.”
Priester has been efficient; however, his strikeout totals haven’t been there. Prior to his last start against his old team, the Pirates, he had one strikeout in two spring outings.
Priester tossed 2 2/3 innings against Pittsburgh, allowing one run off four hits while striking out four and walking one batter. He wants to focus on putting batters away once he gets them down to two strikes.
"There are still many steps to go, obviously," said Priester. "I think the thing I can focus on is getting better with every single start, and then whatever happens is going to happen. And just put myself in the best position possible to help the team, whenever that is.”
WooSox pitcher Grant Gambrell has been a starter his entire professional career. He made 16 starts (18 games) last season with a 4-6 record while posting a 4.09 ERA with 65 strikeouts to 34 walks in 83 2/3 innings.
He saw limited action last season due to right forearm inflammation, landing him twice on the WooSox injured list.
The likelihood that Gambrell joins the WooSox’ rotation is slim with the likes of Cooper Criswell, Michael Fulmer, Priester, Fitts, and Shane Drohan. One of Priester and Fitts could open the year with Boston but will be back once Bello is healthy.
Gambrell should be utilized out of the WooSox bullpen similar to how Brian Van Belle was last season.
“I've gotten close to (Grant) Gambrell over the past couple of years,” said WooSox pitching coach Dan DeLucia. “When I was in the rehab role, he started there. And unfortunately, the last two years, he's had to be shut down just because of some minor elbow and forearm stuff.
“He’s also put himself in a pretty good position. Again, just like we've talked about with all of these guys, the velocity has ticked up quite a bit. If you guys watched the big league outing, he got to back up in JetBlue. He was 95 and 96 mph with his fastball. He's got the ability to shape pitches and do what he wants with the baseball. A lot of this is going to depend on where that trickle-down effect is and where guys fit. Again, Gambrel could easily be a starter.”
Gambrell gives the Sox more depth in the WooSox rotation as others are promoted to help the Red Sox this coming season. A strong campaign could position the righty into the conversation for the big leagues or, at the very least, a trade option this coming summer to improve the club.
Red Sox Notes: Liam Hendriks roughed up, Spring Breakout roster announced, 3 players fighting for a roster spot
Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks is fighting in camp to be the closer for this coming season. He didn’t help his cause on Wednesday when he was roughed up for one run off four hits in the fifth inning versus the Rays.