Red Sox: Ranking potential impact of 2019 September call-ups
By Sean Penney
Ryan Weber
Ryan Weber has made three starts for the Red Sox this season but there isn’t much to take away from his limited track record. He was shelled for seven runs in four innings by the Cleveland Indians in one of those starts and treated as an opener who recorded only four outs against the Kansas City Royals in another.
Weber flashed some potential in his one other start, limiting the Toronto Blue Jays to one run over six innings.
A 1-5 record and 4.50 ERA in 16 starts with Pawtucket is uninspiring. Weber is another less than ideal candidate to fill the back of the rotation void.
He could be of use in a relief role though. Weber has thrived in limited bullpen action this year, posting a 2.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings of relief. His meager strikeout rate (6.0 K/9) stands out in a bullpen full of power pitchers but he’s making it work by limiting walks (1.6 BB/9) and home runs (0.8 HR/9).
He shouldn’t be cast into the fires of high-leverage situations but Weber can fill in some innings if a starter gets knocked out early – which happens quite often to the Red Sox rotation. Six of Weber’s nine relief outings this year have been multiple-inning efforts. That’s useful for extra-innings affairs or if the Red Sox turn to another bullpen game.