Boston Red Sox: 10 bold predictions for the 2022 season
By Daniel Fox
Red Sox prospect Bryan Bello throws key innings out of the bullpen
The Red Sox may not have had much success recently with developing pitching prospects, but Brayan Bello has the potential to change all that. The lanky 22-year-old dominated both Single-A Greenville and Double-A Portland last season, posting a cumulative ERA under 4.00 and striking out over twelve batters per nine innings. His breakout campaign was rewarded with a spot on the Futures Game roster and the title of the top Red Sox pitching prospect entering 2022.
Bello pitched just one inning in big-league camp this spring, but he flashed such nasty stuff that that appearance made waves all over Red Sox Twitter. He overwhelmed the Braves Josh Nogowski, freezing him on two biting, mid 80’s sliders and producing an ugly swing-and-miss on a 94 mile per hour two-seamer that moved like a whiffle ball. It doesn’t take a vivid imagination to imagine that arsenal on display in Boston this summer.
Like many young pitchers, Bello’s command and changeup comes and goes, and he will need more refinement in the minor leagues if he wants to be a big-league starter. In a relief role, however, Bello could dominate major leagues right now on his fastball and slider alone. With the Red Sox bullpen lacking true high-end arms, Bello should pitch key innings for the club after the All-Star break.