The electricity of Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi
With Chris Sale sidelined through August and Eduardo Rodriguez struggling to find his grove, the Red Sox desperately needed a starting pitcher to step up. That pitcher was Nathan Eovaldi, a 2018 postseason hero who had previously struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Eovaldi finally put it all together in 2022, staying healthy enough to lead the league in starts and consistent enough to post a sub 4.00 ERA and the lowest walk rate in baseball.
Besides just putting up great numbers, Eovaldi’s stuff makes him highly entertaining to watch. Few starters in baseball can top his fastball velocity, which routinely touches the upper 90s, while his secondary offerings are plus pitches as well. Combine that with elite control, and it’s no wonder why Eovaldi finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting.
There will be a lot less burden on Eovaldi this season, as Sale’s full-season return will slot him back into the number two slot in the rotation. Yet even though he might have lost the ace title, Eovaldi will still be a huge draw for Red Sox fans and a key cog in their championship aspirations.