3 Red Sox who won’t make the Opening Day roster, but will contribute a lot in 2023
The Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster will feature plenty of new faces. Some will smile all season long. Others will have a scowl by the trade deadline.
The Red Sox aren’t loaded with a ton of depth. Some preseason injuries have opened up some opportunities already for a couple of other guys to contribute from game one onward.
Then there are those who won’t make the Opening Day roster but will still contribute a lot in 2023. It takes more than 26 men to get through a season. We can expect these three to be left off the Opening Day roster but contribute often this year.
1) Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran will find ways to contribute in 2023
Jarren Duran is currently caught between in that space between dreaming and being awake. He is a clear graduate of Triple-A. His major league performance, unfortunately, hasn’t been good enough on a consistent basis for the Red Sox to put much trust in him.
Duran has slashed .219/.269/.354 in his first 335 MLB plate appearances. He was only slightly better last season than he was the year prior in nearly twice as many trips to the plate. Momentum has stalled on his progress. Red Sox fans shouldn’t dismiss him entirely. The ability to play center field cannot be overlooked in any regard.
The Red Sox added Adam Duvall in free agency this offseason to fill in for them at a position Duran could have won last year. Due to a bit of a roster crunch, it looks like Duran may be starting the year in the minors.
It may not last long. Duran has the tools to, at the very least, be a good bench player. He can officially graduate from Triple-A by getting off to a hot start this year. He’ll be Boston-bound soon enough. Hopefully, this time he sticks around.
2) Red Sox pitching prospect needs more big league innings Brayan Bello
It may be an injury which ultimately leads to Brayan Bello not making the Opening Day roster. When healthy, an assignment back to Triple-A makes the most sense. The Red Sox were quick to promote him last year. He experienced his share of growing pains, going 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 11 starts and a pair of relief appearances.
Bello is someone who could benefit from another half season in Triple-A. The Red Sox will have room for him in the rotation and bullpen. Preferably, it’s the starting rotation where they should place him.
The Red Sox are looking at a potential Opening Day rotation with Corey Kluber and Chris Sale at the top followed by Nick Pivetta. Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford both have minor league options. The Red Sox should have each of them on a tight leash with players like Bello prepared to replace either as needed.
Consistent trips to the IL for Sale in recent years could open up yet another spot in the rotation for them. Expecting to get through this year with only five starters will be a mistake. Bello will get his chance. Keep your fingers crossed the results are better this time around.
Expect to see Bello when the weather and Chaim Bloom’s seat get a little hotter.
3) Wyatt Mills will eat up innings out of the Red Sox bullpen
The Red Sox have plans for Wyatt Mills. Acquired as part of a three-team deal with the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals this offseason, he’s going to provide the ball club with some depth. If they’re lucky, he becomes more.
Mills joins the Red Sox with a lifetime 6.21 ERA in 42 big league innings. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners in 2021 and the start of 2022 before finishing up with the Kansas City Royals. He has been very successful in Triple-A, most recently going 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 33.2 innings of work last year.
The upside for Mills isn’t massive. He fits the bill as an innings eater to give the Red Sox irregular frames throughout the year. Existing minor league options will make him a guy to call up for even just a day to have someone fresh. Mills isn’t in serious contention to steal anyone’s job. He has a role and that’s to make sure the Red Sox have available pitchers throughout the entire 162-game season.
Mills was never a realistic candidate to make the Red Sox Opening Day roster. Some rough outings this spring have done little to change the perception. He’ll have an impact on the 2023 season. What no one knows quite yet is whether it’ll be good or bad.
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