Estimating MLB arrival for Boston Red Sox pitching prospects
By Rick McNair
Just what Boston Red Sox pitching prospects are on the horizon? Just how far before they can contribute to the rotation or bullpen?
The agony of pitching development continues to haunt the Boston Red Sox and especially the fiscal albatross that has ensued. Having a long-term commitment to David Price, Chris Sale, and Nathan Eovaldi at about $80 Million per season is prima facie.
To find any accomplishments of the Red Sox farm system vis-a-vis pitching one must wander back over a decade. That is a very long drought. On the current roster are two former number one draft picks that have contributed to varying degrees of success and failure.
Right-handers Brandon Workman and Matt Barnes are both in baseball middle-age with Workman now the perceived closer for 2020. And Barnes? Barnes – despite a reasonably decent 2019 – may have priced himself off the team with a projected $3 Million arbitration figure.
Is there anything in the prospect cupboard that may be ready to contribute? Looking over two sites – MLB Prospect Watch and Sox Prospects does not elicit a warm and fuzzy feeling for 2020 or beyond. The one caveat is pitchers can often do a Superman and progress in leaps and bounds.