Boston Red Sox players who can’t miss and did

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Feb 28, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Manny Delcarmen (17) waits in the bullpen during the spring training action against the New York Mets at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Number Four

Billy Conigliaro – OF (1969-73)
MLB Stats: 347 G, 1130 AB, .256/.311/.429, 40 HR, 128 RBI

Homered in the same game with brother Tony Conigliaro and 1970 looked like a real career turning point with a .271 average and 18 home runs in just 398 AB. A first round pick who was sent packing in the George Scott deal. Part of the problem with Billy was the issues with Red Sox management who cleansed themselves of the Conigliaro family.

Number Three

Manny Delcarmen – RHP (2005-10)
MLB Stats: 11-8 W/L, 298 G, 292.2 IP, 135 W, 249 K, 3.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 4.01 FIP

A round two pick and a local kid who mixed a mid-90s fastball with a curve and change. Delcarmen ‘s control was a significant factor with a career BB/9 of 4.2. Pitching behind and relying on heat to bail you out eventually costs and for MDC (Major Disaster Coming) it did.

Number Two

Craig Hansen – RHP (2005-09)
MLB Stats: 4-9 W/L, 95 G, 93.2 IP, 63 W, 70 K, 6.34 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 5.27 FIP

Hansen should be closing for Boston now, but then came the wildness as Hansen turned into Ricky Vaughn and when you pitch behind comes trouble – as in 10 career home runs allowed. Hansen burst on the scene as a first round pick in 2005 and eventually pitching in Boston the same year. A home run by Melvin Mora seemed to break Hansen. Rushed?

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