Red Sox Prospect Watch: Aftermath of the MLB Draft
By Mike El-Far
Pawtucket Red Sox
While Brian Johnson has had success at the MLB level this year, there is another pitching prospect in Pawtucket that has been lights out. That would be Hector Velazquez. If you remember, Velazquez spent the last seven years playing professional baseball in his home country of Mexico.
The Red Sox saw value in him, signing him on February 18. If you were glued to the Spring Training coverage and wondered why he wasn’t a part of the team for most of the spring, there is a reason why. The pitching schedule in Mexico is much more rigorous than in the States, so Velazquez only threw 11 pitches in Fort Myers.
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After being sent down to Pawtucket, all Velazquez has done is be one of the most dominant pitchers in the International League. He is 4-1 in 9 games with a 1.29 ERA. That ERA happens to be the best among qualified starters in the IL. Also, Velazquez is averaging less than one base runner per inning pitched. Clearly, he has been a dominant force for the PawSox.
As mentioned earlier, Pomeranz has been nothing short of a giant disappointment in the starting rotation. There is not one start that gives off the idea that he will pitch well. In fact, it is the exact opposite.
Let’s say that E-Rod suffers a setback in his recovery. If Pomeranz continues to struggle, there is a chance he could transition to the bullpen. Even without having a proven starter like Rodriguez coming back, the lack of success by Pomeranz could prove to be too much. This would open the door for Hector Velazquez to make his mark on Major League Baseball.