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Boston Red Sox: 5 Worcester Red Sox storylines to follow in 2024

The minor leagues are always filled with intriguing storylines to follow as prospects try to make their way to the Majors. Here are a few you should follow for the Boston Red Sox Triple-A team in Worcester.

By Hunter Noll

Polar Park Inaugural Game Worcester Red Sox v. Syracuse Mets
Polar Park Inaugural Game Worcester Red Sox v. Syracuse Mets / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/GettyImages
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Craig Breslow
Craig Breslow Press Conference / Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/GettyImages

How close are we to Luis Guerrero ninth innings in Boston?

Something I talk about a lot is my love for having a franchise closer. It's one of the reasons a young Hunter loved Jonathan Papelbon so much.

Having that prospect come up and become a dominant closer is just fun. Suddenly, you have a guy who can shut the door for hypothetically the next decade. You can start fantasy booking the day he breaks Mariano Rivera's record (not likely, but still fun).

Luis Guerrero is exactly what I've been waiting for. The right-handed reliever has an incredible story (go look it up, seriously, it's worth it). He also has a disgusting fastball that can reach triple digits and some intriguing secondary stuff.

The now-23-year-old dominated Double-A in 2023. He had some issues with his control (30 walks in 49 2/3 innings). However, there were some great stretches, and his other numbers were otherwordly.

Guerrero posted a 1.81 ERA, .150 BAA, and 1.13 WHIP with 59 strikeouts in Double-A. He also converted 18 of 22 saves and hit 100 MPH in the Futures Game.

Guerrero was promoted to Triple-A towards the end of the season. He posted a 7.71 ERA, .222 BAA, and 2.36 WHIP in six appearances. Guerrero walked seven batters compared to nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. He picked up one more save while with Worcester.

Those numbers aren't great, but you can't use 4 2/3 innings to judge someone. Even the best pitchers have rough outings.

Still, the control is something that needs to be worked on. Guerrero has fantastic stuff and can rack up the strikeouts. However, if he continues to walk batters at a high rate, the Red Sox might find it hard to trust him.

Luis Guerrero is one phone call away from being in the Major Leagues. Can he prove himself as a closer before then? The Red Sox only have Kenley Jansen under contract for one more season. Will Guerrero be able to establish the trust needed to take over in 2025?

No matter what, he'll be a must-watch filth in Worcester in 2024.

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