Second player from the Red Sox and Angels Luis García swap promoted to the big leagues
The Angels are promoting right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday night. He is the second player from the Red Sox and Angels swap that has reached the big leagues. Niko Kavadas made his major league debut on Aug. 16 and belted his first homer on Thursday night.
Zeferjahn posted a 2.35 ERA for Salt Lake since the swap on July 30, with eight strikeouts to one walk in 7 2/3 innings.
While splitting time with the Sea Dogs and the WooSox this season, Zeferjahn owned a 3.52 ERA (15 ER/38.1 IP) in 25 games (one start) this season with Portland (seven games) and Worcester (18 games).
Zeferjahn was once considered a top pitching prospect in the Sox’ system after they selected him in the third round of the 2019 MLB draft out of the University of Kansas.
The hard-throwing righty was once a starter, but after struggling with his command, which led to walks and a declining strikeout rate, Boston moved him into the bullpen. Since the transition to the bullpen, he’s transformed himself into a different kind of pitcher.
This season, everything seemed to work out for Zeferjahn, earning him a promotion to Triple-A Worcester.
“It was a combination of everything,” Zeferjahn said to Beyond the Monster about what clicked this season back in May. “I got the body in better shape and my mechanics in a better spot. It finally just clicked. I have a delivery that is hard to repeat. Just being able to repeat it very close every time and being in the zone.”
Zeferjahn added: “I think I was giving hitters too much credit the last few years. I am just trying to throw everything in the zone and let the guys get themselves out. I have the stuff to be able to get away with some mistakes. Being in the zone is the main thing. When I get in two strike counts, that is when it is time to kick in and throw that nasty strikeout pitch. Understanding that I need to throw strikes to be successful and not just have nasty stuff.”
Zeferjahn was one of the few relievers on the WooSox roster at the time of the trade that was big league-ready, outside of any veterans in Worcester. He will also be Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season, and with his addition to the Angels’ 40-man roster, he is currently protected from the draft.
