Red Sox: With Kendrick done, who’s next in line to start?
The Boston Red Sox optioned veteran RHP Kendrick to the minor leagues after two starts and recalled LHP Ross Jr.
For the second time in as many starts, Kyle Kendrick allowed six earned runs in a Red Sox loss. Following Wednesday’s disappointing defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, the club announced that they would be sending the veteran righty back to Triple-A Pawtucket in favor of left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr. After a stellar Spring Training in which many believed Kendrick to be a viable depth option, the Red Sox gave him two chances to prove that he belonged in the major leagues once again. It’s safe to say that he didn’t make the most of the opportunity. Boston is now left with four starters as they await the return of David Price, who is set to make his
After a stellar Spring Training in which many believed Kendrick to be a viable depth option, the Red Sox gave him two chances to prove that he belonged in the major leagues once again. It’s safe to say that he didn’t make the most of the opportunity.
Boston is now left with four starters as they await the return of David Price, who is set to make his first rehab start on Sunday. With an off-day on Monday, they will have the opportunity to skip what would have been Kendrick’s next turn in the rotation and maintain their roster makeup. However, their four starter – thirteen reliever equilibrium will come to an end eventually, when they can no longer field pitchers on normal rest come May 20.
Even in a best case scenario, Price won’t be back with the team until May 24, meaning that the Red Sox will have to turn to minor league depth once again. With that in mind, let’s look at who their best choices are.
Brian Johnson
As the only pitcher in the list that has been called up to the major leagues this season, Brian Johnson’s probably the best bet to land a spot-start down the line. In his one start, against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 18, he allowed four earned runs in five innings. He did strike out six Jays batters but also gave up three free passes and two home runs in his first career victory.
Since returning to Pawtucket, Johnson has pitched well enough to insert himself back into the major league conversation. With a 2.64 ERA and 2.17 K:BB ratio, he has the best numbers at AAA of any of the potential options. He also won International Pitcher of the Week Honors on May 8, after tossing eight innings in a 3-1 win.
Johnson isn’t going to carry a 2.64 ERA in the major leagues, but he’s at least shown that he can stifle opposing lineups and times and keep his club in the game. The key for him, as with most minor league pitchers, will be limiting the long ball and free passes. After projecting as a mid-rotation arm when he was drafted 31st overall in the 2012 draft, he’s looking more like a back-end starter that deserves a shot at proving he belongs in the big leagues.
Henry Owens
Henry Owens is a “can’t miss” prospect that has for the last two years. He made 16 starts in the MLB between 2015 and 2016, going 4-6 with a 5.19 ERA and 1.518 WHIP. He showed flashes of possibly bridging the gap between potential and performance in 2015 but took a big leap back the following season with 20 walks in 22 innings pitched and 6.59 ERA. Owens might still have the most upside of any pitcher capable of filling, though that potential comes with a lot of frustration.
In the minor leagues this season, Owens has compiled a 2.27 ERA in six starts with a 1.389 WHIP and 11.1 K/9. With the high strikeout rate also comes an astronomical walk rate, as he’s averaged six BB/9. He’s maxed out at just six innings this season, doing so in two starts, and has averaged roughly 101 pitchers per outing.
He’ll have a couple more chances between now and May 20 to prove that he can get his base-on-balls issue under control but the Red Sox are probably better off giving him extended time to work on his delivery. He may have a lot of upside, especially given his strikeout potential, but until he proves that he can find the strike zone consistently that potential will go unfulfilled.
Hector Velazquez
Despite not having a spot on the 40-man roster, Velazquez has quickly inserted himself into the major league conversation. The 28-year old righty was signed out of the Mexican League in February and has made four starts for Pawtucket. Without any prior experience in the United States, he’s somewhat of an unknown commodity – though he does have a host of international experience and has a scouting record.
Velazquez threw 260 innings last calendar year, so the Red Sox have him on a strict innings limit which has kept him from going deeper than the seventh inning in any of his starts this season. After allowing three earned runs over 4.1 innings in his season debut, he’s tossed three straight scoreless outings, including six perfect innings on April 30. In his most recent start, he threw 6.1 scoreless frames with two walks, three hits, and four strikeouts.
Considering how well he’s pitched at Pawtucket, there’s no reason to think that Velazquez couldn’t be effective enough for a spot-start or two for the Red Sox. The largest barrier towards his progression to the major leagues is his non-status on the 40-man, though. Since they have other options in Johnson and Owens, it’s hard to see why they would expose an asset to make space for Velazquez. While he’s been great, the team will keep it easy on him and store him for a potential call-up later in the season.
Next: Red Sox option Kyle Kendrick, recall Robbie Ross Jr
Who do you think the Red Sox should tap to replace Kendrick in the rotation? Let us know in the comments or Tweet us @BoSoxInjection.