The kids are making an impact
Over the last week the Red Sox have gotten a glimpse of the future
Over the last few weeks, the Red Sox have embraced the youth movement by promoting several of their top prospects. That list includes Connor Wong, Triston Casas, and Bryan Bello. While the Red Sox's playoff hopes are slim, the rookies are making the most of their opportunities.
Of the three, Bello has spent the most time in the majors this year. The talented right-hander has made eight appearances, six of which have been starts. After a rough start, he settled in. Since the calendar flipped to August, he has had two scoreless outings and has only allowed five walks.
Additionally, Bello has posted a 5.91 ERA in eight starts this season and struck out 29 batters. While those numbers may not jump off the page, the 23-year-old has not allowed more than three earned runs in three straight starts. He has faced playoff-caliber lineups such as the Twins and Blue Jays in that span. As Bello has shown the makings of a future ace, he isn’t the only prospect making a good impression.
In two games since being recalled, Wong has hit one home run and walked three times. The Houston native has also caught one runner stealing. After terrorizing Triple-A pitching over the last month, his success has translated to the majors. He will be closely watched as the season winds down, with Kevin Plawecki quickly approaching free agency.
Of the trio, Casas has the highest expectations. The former first-round pick is the first baseman of the future and made his MLB debut on Sunday. He did not disappoint, going 1-4 at the plate and making solid contact. Defensively he handled everything hit to him, and his play stood out to Alex Cora.
“He wasn’t caught up in the whole thing, which was good,” Alex Cora told reporters after the game, per The Boston Globe. “He watches, he knows. He talks the game, which is music to my ears.”
As the season winds down, how these rookies perform will give a preview of what the Red Sox's future holds. Bello is already showing that he can make adjustments in the majors, which is encouraging for a young pitcher. For Wong, this is his first extended look, and Casas is just getting started. However, they have all made key contributions during the Red Sox's five-game winning streak, and they will all get plenty of opportunities down the stretch.
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