6 Red Sox pitchers who could make a surprise impact in 2023

The Boston Red Sox had a busy off-season, signing closer Kenley Jansen (who has the 8th most saves of any player in MLB history with 391) and set-up man Chris Martin (3.05 ERA in 2022; 3.84 career ERA) to solidify a bullpen that was 2nd worst in the American League in 2022 (trailing only the Kansas City Royals).

Richard Bleier and Joely Rodríguez join Jansen and Martin as the other key additions to the Red Sox bullpen entering 2023; the team also has Tanner Houck, John Schreiber, and Ryan Brasier returning from last year.

Red Sox added notable pitchers this off-season, but others might make surprise impact in 2023

The Red Sox also signed veteran pitcher Corey Kluber, who joins a crowded starting pitching depth chart which includes Chris Sale, James Paxton, Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, and Nick Pivetta (and potentially Tanner Houck, if he is not used as a reliever).

If the team chooses to carry 5 starters and 8 relievers on the 26-man roster at the start of the season, the hurlers listed above (Jansen, Martin, Bleier, Rodríguez, Houck, Schreiber, Brasier, Sale, Paxton, Bello, Whitlock, Pivetta) would leave only 1 roster spot up for grabs.

But don't expect it to remain at only 1. Injuries are inevitable, and when they happen it presents an opportunity for someone unexpected to step up. In recent days, there have been several reports that Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, and James Paxton could start the season on the injured list.

While none of the 3 are expected to miss significant time, it still presents an immediate test of the pitching depth the Red Sox have. It begs the question: who are the most likely candidates to make a surprise impact this season if/when they are called upon? Read on to find out.

Kutter Crawford: Crawford could make some starts or appear as a multi-inning reliever (or both) this season for the Red Sox

Kutter Crawford had mixed results last season for the Red Sox. Across 77.1 innings in 2022, Crawford posted an uninspiring 5.47 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.

While his stats last season indicate he had his fair share of struggles at the big-league level, Kutter Crawford also had some flashes of brilliance. He shined brightest when he recorded 6 consecutive strong starts against playoff teams (between July 4th and August 2nd).

In 34 innings pitched against the Rays (twice), Yankees, Jays, Guardians, and Astros during the above timeframe, Crawford surrendered only 9 runs (2.38 ERA); he scattered 27 hits yielded only 5 walks over this same stretch (0.94 WHIP), while striking out 32 batters.

Kutter Crawford certainly showed enough to give the Red Sox some hope he can make a positive impact on the big-league club in 2023. Whether he is featured as a starter, reliever, or both is still unknown; this decision may depend on the team's needs when they call upon him.

Zack Kelly: Kelly's fastball-changeup mix was effective in late-2022 and he will likely be a factor in the Red Sox bullpen this season

Zack Kelly made his major league debut with the Red Sox in August 2022 after spending most of the season with the WooSox. During his time with the team's AAA affiliate, he logged 49.2 innings and posted a 2.72 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and .191 BAA.

In Kelly's first 12 big-league appearances, he held the opposing offense scoreless in 10 of them. In aggregate, Kelly had a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings with the Red Sox in 2022. His stats were skewed by a rough final outing off 2022 (5 hits and 3 runs allowed in 1 inning), but he proved during his time with the Red Sox that his stuff is effective at the highest level. And after taking a deeper dive into the metrics, it is clear he has elite potential.

It is also notable that Zack Kelly and Kutter Crawford offer the Red Sox some roster flexibility because of the options they carry going into 2023. Both carry multiple options remaining per Spotrac, while pitchers Bryan Mata and Wyatt Mills only have 1. With multiple options left, the team may feel more comfortable using one in 2023.

Brandon Walter, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy (and more): The youth movement has begun

As previously mentioned, there are some concerns about Red Sox starters (Whitlock, Bello, Paxton) potentially not being ready to pitch by Opening Day. If they start the season on the Injured List, the rotation will almost certainly feature Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, and Nick Pivetta.

That leaves the final 2 spots open for the following contenders: Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Josh Winckowski, Brandon Walter, Bryan Mata, and Chris Murphy. Based strictly off MLB service time and prior big-league performances, Houck and Crawford would have the edge.

With that said, it feels like there is still an outside chance that a guy like Walter, Mata, or Murphy, with no prior MLB service time, forces the Red Sox organization's hand and earns a spot on the Opening Day roster.

It's only spring training, but so far these "kids" have shown that the youth movement in Boston is real and it has only just begun. And Josh Winckowski has also performed well, making the competition for a roster even more highly contested.

2023 Spring Training Stats

Bryan Mata (23 years old): 2.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Brandon Walter (26 years old): 3.0 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts

Chris Murphy (24 years old): 2.2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

Josh Winckowski (24 years old): 5.0 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts

Health setbacks are never desirable, but the Red Sox are faced with a "good problem" in the sense that they have plenty of promising, young pitchers who are hungry to prove they can succeed at the highest level.

Red Sox fans will likely get to see some pitchers with truly electric stuff make their mark during the 2023 season. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Other surprise impact candidates (honorable mentions): Ryan Sherriff, Taylor Broadway, Cam Booser