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Previewing the 2023 Boston Red Sox rotation

By Rick McNair

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 12: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 12, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 12: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 12, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the eighth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals on September 16, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the eighth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals on September 16, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Can Whitlock be the Boston Ace?

The starter role for right-hander Garrett Whitlock was settled with the addition of Chris Martin and Kelsey Jansen. Set up and closer were two roles Whitlock accomplished in performing. Just how promising? The Red Sox extended Whitlock for four years and possibly two more with options. Like all RSN, management saw what they liked and moved quickly – a rare happening.

If fans wish to be nervous about Whitlock, it is right there with season-ending hip surgery. That condition could be an issue as the innings add up in 2023. The next potential negative is Whitlock’s numbers as a starter (1-1, 4.15) in a small nine-game sample. Otherwise, what is there not to like?

Whitlock posted a 4.8 BB% and a 26.4 K% in 2022 with command of a hard fastball (95.6 MPH), a chase ’em slider, and a change. The slider and change come in at the low 80s on the gun and are delivered with precision.

Whitlock has the potential to be an ace of this staff, but we have only witnessed glimpses of that. If Whitlock can give this team 30+ starts and 180+ innings, that contract may be the best bargain in baseball, but that will only be known by late September.

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