Red Sox News: Garrett Whitlock making strides toward Postseason return

Red Sox rookie Garrett Whitlock is inching closer to a return

The Red Sox are in Baltimore for a three-game stand against the Orioles with the Postseason on the line. Boston has six games remaining on the calendar and they need to win as many of them as possible. Luckily enough for them, they could be getting back one of their best weapons in the near future.

Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported a short while ago that Garrett Whitlock is in Baltimore and is playing catch at Camden Yards. Stat Masterson would go on to say that Whitlock tossed 60 pitches from flat ground, meaning his return could be coming soon. During his media availability, Alex Cora said Thursday, the date that Garrett could be activated the earliest, feels a little too soon.

"“As of right now, I think it’s too soon to be honest with you,” Cora said. “But you never know how guys will react. But I think not throwing a bullpen, being realistic for me, I don’t think Thursday will be the day.”"

This news couldn’t come at a better time for the Red Sox as they’re coming off of a weekend where their bullpen absolutely let them down. For much of the season, it wouldn’t have been a shock to hear Garrett’s name in the Rookie of the Year conversation, the kid has been insanely good. And to think, this is a guy that the Yankees didn’t even think to protect in the Rule 5 Draft. Idiots!

While I always say that records for a pitcher aren’t the most important I do like to include them. The rookie has gone 8-4 so far in 2021 with a disgusting 1.99 ERA and 2.89 FIP through 72 1/3 innings of work. That right there is more than I need to hear but then we go even further into his other metrics and it’s clear why AC trusts the right-hander so much in high-intensity situations.

In that time span, Whitlock has what must be described as a menacing K/BB ratio at 79/17. He carries a 9.8 K/9 as opposed to a 2.1 BB/9 with a 1.120 WHIP. When it all breaks down, he strikes out 4.65 batters for every batter that he walks, I’ll take that every night of the week and twice on Sunday.

Per Fangraphs, the rookie fireballer is the 16th ranked reliever in all of baseball, not bad. As for his standing on the Red Sox, he’s number one with a bullet with a 1.5 WAR, just edging out Matt Barnes’ 1.4.

Having him back in the bullpen in what may be the most important week in this season would be a Godsend. As Cora said, he most likely won’t be back for the Baltimore series but if he reacts well to today’s workout, he could return against the Nats.

"“He’s doing better. I think 60 throws if I’m not mistaken,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “That’s what (head trainer) Brad Pearson said. He felt good. Now we’ll see how he reacts tonight and tomorrow. And then we’ll see if we take the next step. But a big step for him obviously to be able to go out there and play catch.”"

I think it’s pretty clear how I feel about Whitlock and at this stage in the game, he’s one of the only arms in that bullpen that I fully trust. That list has evolved over the season with guys joining and also getting booted from it, but I’ve never wavered on Garrett. B

eing able to bring him in against Washington would offer a dual benefit as he’ll be able to get back into the groove of things and the Red Sox will get their best reliever back in time for the Wild Card Game.

To say that Garrett Whitlock is the steal of the season by Chaim Bloom may be an understatement. In a year where he made some good moves, some bad moves, and at times no moves at all, Whitlock was a knockout blow. Bloom has a vision for this team and for what they’ll be going forward and having the rookie right-hander as one of the foundation pieces is one hell of a start to that future.