Red Sox promote Zach Penrod to Triple-A Worcester (source)
Left-handed starting pitcher Zach Penrod has been promoted to Triple-A Worcester, according to a source. The 26-year-old is coming off a string of strong starts. In his last three outings, Penrod has thrown 17.1 innings, allowing just 11 hits, 4 walks, and recording 29 strikeouts.
Penrod has been one of the most consistent performers so far for the Portland Sea Dogs, and one of the best at the Double-A level altogether. Entering play on Friday, among all pitchers at the Double-A level who have thrown as many innings as Penrod, he ranks third in K/9, 12th in ERA, and 11th in WHIP.
On Wednesday night, it was reported that starting pitching prospect Luis Perales was promoted from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland. Along with Portland needing to make space in the starting rotation for Perales, there are multiple factors like performance and age that led to the decision for Penrod to be the corresponding move.
Joining the Red Sox organization last year from the Pioneer League as a 26-year-old, Penrod made his first appearance in affiliated baseball since 2018. In the 2023 season, pitching for the High-A Greenville Drive, he posted a 2.18 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched in the regular season. The left-hander was the winning pitcher in the title clinching game for the Drive last season, pitching five innings in the deciding game.
“It’s about individual development a lot, but at the same time you get to the end of the season, you’re like man, might as well win that thing,” Penrod said. “Pitching in a championship is one of the coolest things I’ve done in my career.”
Penrod will join the WooSox rotation upon his arrival. After spending just 7 starts in Double-A, the left-handed start is now on the doorstep of the big leagues, less than a year after joining the Red Sox organization.
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