Tanner Houck in unfamiliar role heading into 2023
Trade rumors are flying around like crazy involving Tanner Houck lately, (which I will address in my next column), but lets continue like Houck will be a part of the 2023 Boston Red Sox pitching staff. One could argue that the former first round pick was one of the most important relivers in the bullpen during the first half of the season in 2022, and his numbers back that up.
After back surgery ended his season earlier than expected, Houck will be back to 100% as we roll into Spring Training. His role, however, is still very much up in the air. Houck has started games, pitched multiple innings in relief at times, pitched in a set up man role, and even closed games during his Red Sox tenure. The definition of a swiss army knife on the pitching side of things.
While being put in all of those situations, Houck has performed at a high level. So far in his young career, he has yet to put up less than a 1.6 WAR in a full season. His career ERA is also at 3.02. He has excelled in most stat sheet lines thus far. The main problem for Houck is the varied roles he has been put in.
While at the University of Missouri, Houck was a starter for three seasons. Not only did he start for the Tigers, he carried the Mizzou pitching staff through the tough SEC baseball schedule each year. When the Red Sox drafted him in the first round back in 2017, he was drafted as a starter and profiled for a major league rotation. Through the Red Sox minor league levels, Houck was used primarily as a starter and excelled. Going into next season, his role is still pretty much up in the air, and that is a position he is not used to.
The Red Sox were busy this year spending money on a bullpen that desperately needed an overhaul. They also have said goodbye to three guys from the rotation in Rich Hill, Nathan Eovaldi, and Michael Wacha (so far). There should be plenty of competition to fill out out the back end of the rotation.
Where does Houck fit in? After being a starter his entire career, will he finally get a shot back in the rotation where he belongs? Or will he be used to set up new Red Sox closer, Kenley Jansen? Do they like his ability to go multiple innings out of the bullpen and backpack starters next season like he did with veteran Rich Hill? These questions most likely will remain a mystery until we get things underway in Spring Training.
34 days until pitchers & catchers report.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @ByAndrewParker
For additional Red Sox and Major League Baseball content, follow Beyond the Monster: Boston Red Sox on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr