5 prospects Boston Red Sox fans should prepare to lose in the Rule 5 Draft

Boston Red Sox starting pitching prospect Grant Gambrell

Grant Gambrell needed a big season in 2023, but things started rough in High-A. However, a few great starts at the beginning of May led to a call-up to Double-A. There, Gambrell thrived.

The right-handed pitcher dominated for three months, leading to another promotion. Then, in two starts in Triple-A, Gambrell continued to dazzle.

Gambrell finished the 2023 season with a 3.63 ERA, .236 BAA, and 1.26 WHIP between the three levels. He struck out 134 batters compared to 46 walks in 126 1/3 innings.

Gambrell came over in the deal with Josh Winckowski and others. However, injuries and other health scares led to him not pitching in 2022 after appearing in eight games for the Red Sox organization in 2021.

Due to that, Gambrell was pretty far behind. He was a 25-year-old in High-A at the start of the year. Now 26 (just had a birthday on November 21), Gambrell ran through Double-A and made his way to Triple-A. He had two fantastic starts before the end of the season there.

The Red Sox pushing him up through the levels could have to do with his age and Boston wanting to challenge him. However, it could also be a case that they saw something in him.

If they did see something in Gambrell, couldn't other teams have seen it as well? He's now proven himself in Double-A and flourished in his small taste of Triple-A. Gambrell's old enough that a team would feel like they are rushing a prospect, and his 2023 numbers certainly do him some favors.

Grant Gambrell began working on a cutter in Spring Training of 2023. It got better as the year went on and could be the thing he was missing to make him a great pitcher.

Teams might be enticed by his clear progressions last season and feel it's worth it to take a chance on him in 2024.