Red Sox pitcher Luis Guerrero 'trying to stay grounded' as he attempts to make it back to Boston
Flame-throwing pitching prospect Luis Guerrero worked this spring to make the Opening Day roster, attempting to earn a spot in the Red Sox bullpen.
Guerrero appeared to be in good shape at the start of the spring, as he breezed through his appearances, striking out six in three scoreless frames while allowing only one hit and one walk.
Then control became an issue, and the wheels came off quickly for the hard-throwing righty. He walked eight batters while giving up six runs over his final four Grapefruit League outings (2 2/3 innings). Boston optioned him to Triple-A Worcester on March 19.
“Feel it was a good spring training,” Guerrero said on Friday ahead of the WooSox’ home opener. “Kind of part of the process knowing there’s going to be bumps on the road. Trying out a new pitch. So I'm trying to get comfortable with that."
Guerrero didn’t get upset or take his demotion personally; he’s motivated to get back to the big leagues. The 24-year-old was promoted to the bigs in September and recorded nine strikeouts to two walks, allowing one run over 10 innings (nine games).
“It’s part of the process,” Guerrero said. “At the end of the day, they make the decisions. It’s just something that’s out of my control. Keep working is something I’m going to take advantage of down here. Do the necessary adjustments to get back to the big leagues.”
This was Guerrero’s second big league camp but his first where he was competing for a spot in the Red Sox Opening Day bullpen. While in camp, he added a cutter to his pitching arsenal to help complement his four-seam fastball and changeup. Like most Red Sox pitchers, he also throws a sweeper.
“Something to throw lefties, kind of throw them off the changeup,” Guerrero said through translator/defensive coach Iggy Suarez.
Cora noted in camp that young players sometimes let their nerves get in the way of them making an Opening Day roster.
“That comes into play, too,” Cora said. “Sometimes they try to do too much. And our job as an organization is kind of like, ‘Slow it down. You will be fine.‘”
Guerrero knows he will get another opportunity in Boston. He just needs to control what he can control to help get him there.
“But it’s all part of the process — just trying to stay as grounded as you can to be able to (stay) present ... to get through that."
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