Red Sox No. 4: Ryan Weber
This one may shock some folks as he isn’t the most popular name in the Red Sox lineup, but I think he’s earned it. Before everything shut down due to the coronavirus Ron Roenicke all but named Ryan Weber as the fourth man in the platoon, so I’ll trust my manager.
Last year was Weber’s first season with Boston after bouncing around the league, playing for four teams in five years. The righty will also turn 30 before the end of the 2020 season which is when clubs stop loving pitchers.
The Sox have him under control until 2025 so this year will be massive for his future. If he does well that could guarantee him a spot with the team next year when things hopefully are closer to normal.
Weber didn’t exactly dazzle in 2019, pitching in just 40.2 innings and ending with a 5.09 ERA, but his spring training was his savior. He made three starts in Fort Myers and went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 11 K’s, he also didn’t walk a single batter.
This is what motivated Roenicke to want him in the rotation and I can’t disagree. Maybe the right-hander has finally put all of the puzzle pieces together and he can be a sneaky good number four. I’m pulling for the guy as he seems like a wonderful dude and when his confidence is at its peak, he can go.