Red Sox pitching prospect 'optimistic & confident' in sitting 97mph+ this season
Christopher Troye has some of the most raw intriguing stuff in the Red Sox system.
The right-hander carries a fastball that would sit 93-95 MPH and would top out at 98 MPH. His fastball was among the highest IVB in the system and shows plus carry up in the zone. As Troye has progressed through the organization, his fastball was key to maintaining his high strikeout rates.
Entering the 2024 season, Troye was jolting up the prospect rankings after a successful stint in Double-A during the 2023 season. His second time around was met with a bit of adversity and a bit of a decline from the previous season in Portland. Right out of the gate, the 26-year-old struggled for Portland.
His struggles led to a month long Development List stint down in Fort Myers where he had to work through some things. His velocity had dipped and the walk rates went up even higher than they were before. While finishing out the year still putting up respectable strike out numbers, Troye just didn’t look himself.
The official report dates for pitchers around baseball isn’t until the second week of February, but the California native spent most of his offseason already at the complex in Fort Myers. During his first live BP of the spring, Troye was sitting 94-95 MPH and struck out three batters. He had also topped out at 96 MPH during the BP.
“It went well,” Troye said of his first live BP. “I am feeling good and healthy. I anticipate my velocity will continue to climb. I am confident and optimistic that I can sit 97mph+ this season.”
If his velocity really does sit at 97mph+ this season, Troye will look much different than seen before while in the Red Sox system. While he might be returning back to Portland to begin the season, a call up to Worcester won’t be too far off with added velocity and a lower walk rate.
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