Hours after the Boston Red Sox claimed a series win to keep a potential wild card bid in sight, news broke that a top pitching prospect could make his major league debut the following day.
Christopher Smith of MassLive reported that the Red Sox plan to select Richard Fitts for his MLB debut in their series finale against the White Sox on Sunday. A source said there's a "really good chance he starts" as the Red Sox push for the sweep. The Red Sox will have to open a spot on the 40-man roster to make the move official.
After Saturday's game, Alex Cora said Brayan Bello's start is pushed back to give Tanner Houck an extra day of rest, as he didn't recover as well as usual after his last start. Cora said the team might call up a minor-league pitcher to make the start, but he didn't confirm it would be Fitts.
The 24-year-old righty is Boston's No. 13 prospect and he's posted a quality first season in the Sox's system. He was acquired from the Yankees in December as part of the Alex Verdugo trade, along with Greg Weissert and righty pitching prospect Nicholas Judice.
Red Sox to call up Richard Fitts, top pitching prospect from Alex Verdugo trade
Some are asking whether Richard Fitts will start or will come in after an opener. "Really good chance he starts," according to a source. https://t.co/8Lwz0De7FK
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) September 8, 2024
Fitts posted a 4.17 ERA with 111 strikeouts and 37 walks in 116.2 innings for the WooSox this season, and he'll show up to Fenway on a tear. Fitts posted a 2.89 ERA over five starts in August and is fresh off a six-inning, two-hit, scoreless outing on Sept. 2. His hot streak had many Sox fans wondering why he wasn't called up on Sept. 1 when rosters expanded, but they won't have to wait much longer to see him in the big leagues.
Hopefully, Fitts can bring his August success to the Red Sox's staff. Boston will need all the pitching help it can get during its wild card push.