Boston Red Sox Prospects: Eduard Bazardo is a 2021 Relief Solution

Boston Red Sox prospect Eduard Bazardo is a 2021 bullpen solution.

The pitching of the Boston Red Sox has been a serious issue in 2020. Not just the starting pitchers, but the bullpen as well. Only three people on the team have sub-4.00 ERAs, and one of them is catcher Kevin Plawecki.

The other two are Darwinzon Hernandez (who has a 0.00 ERA but in just 4 2/3 innings) and Phillips Valdez (a 0.90 ERA in an impressive 20 innings).

Clearly, this is something that needs to be resolved in 2021 if the Red Sox don’t want to have another disastrous season.

Obviously, they will need to make some moves in free agency. Even someone like me (who is all-in on building through the minor leagues) knows that this can’t be fixed using just prospects – at least not if they want a quick fix.

Now, that being said, there are some pitchers in the minors that could be a legitimate fix as soon as next season. One of them is Eduard Bazardo.

You’ve probably heard me talk about him quite a bit in the past. I’m extremely high on the pitcher, but he does not get the same love elsewhere, and that’s a bit baffling to me.

And it’s not just because he rocks glasses on the mound, which is what I wanted to do when I was younger (but didn’t get the chance in my one little league pitching appearance to do so). I know what you’re going to ask next, and yes – I threw a clean inning.

There’s simply so much to love about Bazardo’s game. And he’s turning just 25 on September 1, so there is still plenty of time for him to make his mark.

Bazardo is basically a two-pitch pitcher. He has a fastball and a curveball. There’s a changeup too, but it’s rare that he throws it.

The fastball has crazy movement and runs in the mid-90s. Most importantly, he has good command of the pitch.

Then there’s the elite curveball. Yes, I’m giving it “elite” status. Low-80s with stupid spin and a sharp drop. Once again, he has great command of the pitch.

Seriously, go to his Instagram (09bazardo) and check out some of his pitching videos. The movement is absolutely insane.

He doesn’t just have “unseen potential” either. Bazardo has proven himself every step of the way.

He has a career 2.55 ERA. And that includes a 2.21 that he posted between Advanced-A and Double-A in 2019.

Bazardo also has a career WHIP of 1.05 and a career BAA of .215. Oh, and he’s struck out 342 batters in 310 innings, walking just 81 batters.

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If it wasn’t for the pandemic canceling the 2020 MiLB season, Bazardo would have been one of the most intriguing players to watch in the system. He had dominated last season and very well could have started 2020 in Triple-A.

Due to that, it’s a little surprising Bazardo did not get thrown into the 60-man player pool this year. He definitely would’ve been a call-up option if there was a normal season.

Hopefully next year, things will be back to normal though. And with it, Bazardo will get a real look again.

And as of right now, there are only two relievers on the team that seem to have a spot next season – Hernandez and Valdez. That leaves a ton of slots to fill. Yes, Boston will go through free agency to add to the bullpen. But they will need some cheap options with legitimate potential.

That’s where the minor leagues come in to play.

One name you need to watch out for is Eduard Bazardo. The Red Sox will be giving a lot of prospects chance in 2021. He’s one pitcher that could take advantage of that and make an impact from day one.