Red Sox: David Price is ready to mentor young lefties
By Tyler Mason
The Red Sox could have a few young lefties in the rotation this year. With that being said, David Price is ready to make them his students of the game.
A handful of players have already arrived to Fort Myers to get the grind started a bit early. You always like to see players eager to get back to work and fight for a championship, especially future Opening Day starter, David Price.
Price spoke to the media yesterday and said he was willing to give as much advice as possible to any of the young lefties fighting for a spot on the team.
"“I’m an open book to all the guys,” explains Price. “The four days that you’re not pitching are the days you can really learn a lot.”"
When you are thinking of young lefties on the Sox, two big names come up. They are Eduardo Rodriguez and Henry Owens. We all know Rodriguez is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and is ready to continue his success in 2016. Price also believes that Rodriguez has loads of potential and that he has the stuff to become elite.
"“He’s got a very bright future when you look at just the explosiveness of all his pitches and the fact he already has a changeup,” said Price. “I feel like at such a young age, that’s a huge pitch to already have in his arsenal.”"
With Owens, his debut came late in the season, but you would see him on the bump every 5th day by the end of September. Like Rodriguez, Price had nothing but positives things to say about Owens and what he can do for this team in 2016.
"“When you’re as tall as Henry is and he has that angle, that causes a lot of problems for hitters,” said Price. “He’s another guy I’ll pay close attention to.”"
With both of these young guns having a lot of potential, it is only fitting that you have a former Cy Young award winner helping you out along the way.
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
Now this isn’t the first time that Price has been a teacher to young studs. Last season when Price was traded to Toronto, he mentored young flamethrower, Marcus Stroman, who came back from Tommy John surgery in September. Price would give him pointers during bullpen sessions and you could say they worked. When Stroman returned in September he went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
Righties or lefties, Price is willing to give any pitcher advice to make them better. Price also mentioned that he is excited to reunite with former Detroit teammate, Rick Porcello.
"“We spent half a year there in Detroit. He was a very good friend to me, and that was a tough day, that offseason when he got traded to the Red Sox,” recalls Price."
Next: Red Sox Clay Buchholz In No Rush For New Deal
As of right now, it seems like Price is going to bring nothing but positive energy to this team. Pitchers will become students to him, which will lead to success. Price, like everyone else on this team, is ready to contend this year and is hungry to play baseball in October. No one wants a third consecutive last place finish in the AL East and Price is willing to do whatever it takes to make everyone around him a better player.