Christopher Troye was dominant in the Boston Red Sox's minor league system in 2023, but 2024 was a tough season for him on a few accounts.
The right-handed reliever missed some time, struggled with walks, wasn't hitting the same velocity, and his ERA suffered from it all. However, we saw a better version of Troye as the year went on. The 2025 season could prove to be a vital one for the UC Santa Barbara product. For what it's worth, he still fascinates me as a massive righty with power pitches that include a heavy fastball and a good slider.
We sat down for a few words with him to see what his mindset is for 2025.
Red Sox’s 2021 draft pick already proving he can bounce back from rough 2024
Q: What were your offseason goals/plans? What do you feel you accomplished?
"Gotta keep driving velo and keep going hard and keep working at it. Which is kind of funny because I feel that's where I come from. When they drafted me, I was throwing 100. It's like he throws 100, big stuff, a lot of swing and miss. Now we have to get him in the zone.
"I feel like last year, over the course of the season, my velo continued to drop, but that forced me to learn how to pitch a little bit. Pitch backward, like throwing a first-pitch slider. It was the least usage I've ever had with my fastball. I think I was 40% fastball, 30% cutter, 30% slider. The year before, it was like 65%, 30%, 5%. I've always been pretty fastball-heavy. But it's good because I learned how to pitch and mix things up.
"I know that as the velo continues to drive and we continue to promote velocity and keep going up, now blended with the new pitching experience, I feel like the ceiling is limitless."
Q: You had some struggles last year but figured it out by the end of the season. I know you are your own harshest critic. What was going through your head last year?
"My velo was just dropping, and we were trying to figure it out. We took a look at the process and tried a bunch of different bullpen scripts. We tried some different variable training, and I think it just got one, two, three, four, five adjustments away. It was like, 'How do I get back to where I was and who I am?'
"That's why they put me on the dev list and sent me back to Florida. I came back with a hole to climb out of. I think, at the time, I had like a 12 ERA. So, to end the season with a 4.50 or whatever it was that I did end with, I'm pretty proud of myself in terms of how I bounced back and how I battled and climbed out of a big hole."
Q: What are your statistical goals for 2025?
"Number one is just stay healthy. So, I think the more innings, the better, generally speaking. I don't have any hard numbers that I'm pushing for because I feel like if I did, I'd be putting a ceiling on myself. From a velocity perspective, I'm trying to hit that 97. In my last outing in spring, I hit 97 on the backfields, which is exciting for me and exciting for a lot of the guys who are invested in my career.
"If I'm healthy and I'm 97, good things will happen."
Q: Was there someone in spring who you feel particularly helped you?
"I had a lot of conversations with Willard. We spent a lot of time going over videos and talking about bullpen scripts and some constraints. Big shoutout also to the conditioning staff. Nick Shed, Jonah, and Nick LeRue. All those guys have been incredible in individualizing my process in the weight room and the work and adjustments that I need to make physically to unlock those velocities.
"Between the pitching department and strength and conditioning, I've got a lot of guys who are trying to help me, and I owe a lot of the process and a lot of the work that we've designed to them."
Q: In the past, you had steak nights with Marcelo Mayer, Blaze Jordan, and a few others. Do you still do that, and are there replacements for those not on the team anymore?
"For sure. The culture that started has only continued to expand. Mikey Romero set up a poker night when everyone moved into our apartments in Portland and ordered some pizzas for the guys.
"I know that we'll be going to some dinners and hanging out. I know that culture will continue to evolve with the new faces."
Q: Who won that first poker night?
"I had to sit it out, unfortunately. I was still unpacking, but I know a lot of the guys went there and did that."
Q: What are the clubhouse vibes at the moment?
"Excited. It's a new season, a new opportunity. I think that starts at the top. We're watching the Boston Red Sox in the clubhouse together and rooting for our guy KC (Kristian Campbell) and everybody else. I feel like the amount of time I spent on that side this last spring training, I'm looking out for my guys.
"I enjoyed my time in the bullpen with [Brennan] Bernardino and [Justin] Slaten. So, I'm checking the box score and rooting for them. We're watching the big leaguers, we're watching the Triple-A guys. We're rooting them on. I know we have a strong farm. I know we have a strong Big League club. It's a really exciting time to be a part of this organization."
Q: You spent some time with Kristian Campbell last year. What was your reaction to him getting the call up to the Majors? What was your reaction to the payday he got?
"We lived together in Portland last year. My first roommate was [Zach] Penrod, and Penrod got called up. Campbell took his spot."
Q: So you're the lucky roommate, is what you're telling me? People should want to room with you?
"[laughs] Yeah, I got some good mojo. Maybe I should've traded rooms [laughs].
"I was just happy for him. Everyone knows he's genuine. He's himself, he's quiet, he's more reserved. He's just a really good person. When you see guys like that, you can't help but be happy for him."
Q: What should Red Sox fans expect from you this year? What do you want them to know about you?
"I'm giving it my all. I'm going to put every ounce of sweat, blood, and tears into this game. If I do that, I like my odds."