5 prospects who can help the Red Sox recover from a terrible start
By Sean Penney
Red Sox pitching prospect Connor Seabold
Connor Seabold has been outstanding through four starts in Worcester, going 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 20 2/3 innings.
His 6.5 K/9 is a bit underwhelming but Seabold has shown the ability to strike out over a batter per inning in previous seasons. His control is a strength, with only five walks this season.
His fastball isn’t going to blow big league hitters away, sitting in the low-to-mid-90s, but he commands it well. Seabold can miss bats with his slider and a deceptive change that falls off the table late. He doesn’t have a plus pitch but three above-average options provide Seabold with a solid floor as a back of the rotation starter with upside for more based on his advanced command.
Seabold made his major league debut last year with a forgettable outing, allowing two runs over three innings in a spot start. Don’t hold that tiny sample size against him though. He was much better in Triple-A and has shown improvement this year, suggesting he’s ready for another chance.
Nick Pivetta is pitching himself out of the rotation, failing to make it through five inning in each of his last four starts. His career-high 5.7 BB/9 displays a complete lack of control, resulting in an inflated 7.84 ERA. If he doesn’t turn it around soon, the Red Sox should consider other options.
If they need to dip into their minor league system, Seabold would be at the top of that list. His ability to control the strike zone and limit free passes would be a breath of fresh air. We can at least project him to make a spot start at some point this season.