WooSox pitcher Chase Shugart talks being around veteran presences Corey Kluber and Chris Sale in spring training

Photo via Worcester WooSox

Opening Day is finally here, and rosters are starting to take shape around the league. Some prospects and minor leaguers are reporting to their teams after getting time with the big league team or in minor league camp. Chase Shugart got the chance to appear in 7 games while in major league camp with the Red Sox. During those 7 games, Shugart had the chance to face some solid MLB competition like Jazz Chisholm, Joey Gallo, and Kyle Farmer.

Andrew Parker @ByAndrewParker

How good has Chase Shugart been this spring? Just came in with bases loaded and struck out Jazz Chisholm.

Chris Henrique @ChrisHenrique

Red Sox pitcher Chase Shugart on facing Joey Gallo/Kyle Farmer: “It goes back to being able to trust and have confidence in my pitches. “I know how my pitches play best against a lefty in Gallo, and in a righty like (Kyle) Farmer. What is really comes down to for me is having… https://t.co/94EYrtDCYX https://t.co/goGzNq8zNt

“It made everything real.” Shugart said. “You felt so much closer to the big leagues when you are facing those guys in those kinds of moments. I know it's spring training, and you’re more focused on getting your work in and making your pitches but anybody that’s a competitor is going to want to go in there and do well. It was good competition, and I was able to go in and execute my pitches and build off that and its giving me the confidence to do what I’m going to do.”

Red Sox prospect Chase Shugart on early Spring outings: 'I'm focused on making competitive pitches'

While the younger guys get valuable time with the club during spring training, that time comes with sharing the clubhouse with MLB veterans. Those vets have a much bigger impact than one would think.

“Being able to build that routine being around those veterans in the clubhouse like Kluber, Sale, Paxton, and Jansen and seeing how they go about their business opened my eyes to what it takes to be there day in and day out.” Shugart added “I was grateful for that experience and seeing that put me in a good spot mentally going into this season.”

Shugart was roommates with Kutter Crawford thing spring, who made the opening day starting rotation for the Red Sox.

“Even watching how Tanner Houck was so precise through his day-to-day.” Shugart noted “I lived with Kutter Crawford this spring and seeing how he went about it off the field. Seeing those guys and how they work, it shows why they are up there doing what they do. It opens eyes and you need to take it seriously away from the field.”

Shugart is a former 12th round pick out of the University of Texas and is entering his first full year in AAA after starting the 2022 season in AA.

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