Red Sox Prospect Watch: Triston Casas steals the show
By Hunter Noll
Triston Casas steals the show in this week’s Red Sox Prospect Watch
The Boston Red Sox had a much better week and as a fan, you have to be feeling at least a little bit better about their playoff chances at the moment. What’s most impressive about that though, is the fact that COVID has run rampant through the locker room, forcing the Red Sox to scramble.
That has led to some craziness in the Prospect Watch this week, as the Red Sox had to make a lot of different moves. This included Jack Lopez making his Major League debut at 28 years old. Meanwhile, Kutter Crawford got his first shot in the Majors as well.
Crawford’s debut did not go all that well. The 25-year-old righty gave up five runs in two innings, walking two and striking out two. There’s zero need for concern though. People love to overreact and get all negative because it’s easy to “look smart” by bashing a player when they struggle.
The reason for that is there’s an easy out if they play better – “well they fixed what I said they needed to fix”. Sick, they were definitely reading your tweets and took your advice, good job. Chris Sale has had bad outings before, Crawford’s allowed to have them too.
Tanner Houck gave up zero runs on just three hits and no walks in five innings, striking out seven this week. The right-hander now has a 3.26 ERA, .241 BAA, and 1.15 WHIP on the year. He has 62 strikeouts compared to 12 walks in 49 2/3 innings pitched. Houck still doesn’t have a win this year but he has one save oddly enough.
Garrett Whitlock picked up his second save of the season this week. The right-hander now has a 1.63 ERA, .234 BAA, and 1.10 WHIP on the year. He has a 7-2 record, 12 holds, and two saves. Whitlock has struck out 74 batters compared to 15 walks and already has 66 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen this season.
Bobby Dalbec continues to get his numbers up following a superb August. The first baseman is now slashing a very respectable .239/.296/.462 with 17 doubles, four triples, and 18 home runs. Dalbec has driven in 63 runs and scored 39 more, stealing one base. He won AL ROY in August and has silenced a lot of doubters.