The Red Sox swapped a pair of right-handers between Boston and Triple-A Worcester this morning, the team announced, optioning Connor Seabold and recalling Kutter Crawford. Seabold had made his third big-league start yesterday against the Cubs, tossing four innings of one-run ball.
The move gives manager Alex Cora an extra arm while his team deals with a spate of injuries in rotation: in addition to the long-term absences of Chris Sale and James Paxton, Rich Hill, Nathan Eovaldi, and Garrett Whitlock are all on the 15-day IL while Michael Wacha is, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, dealing with a dead arm that may require an IL stint. Because optioned players are allowed to return at any time if replacing a player headed to the IL, Seabold could return to start late in the week should Wacha — who last pitched on June 28th — need more time.
While Cora might have to make some uncomfortable decisions in the short term, there could be help on the way. While neither Whitlock nor Eovaldi is yet close to returning, Sale, who’s yet to pitch this season due to a stress fracture in his ribcage (and who’s covered only 42 2/3 innings since 2019, all of them last year), has already made one rehab start and is scheduled for another on Wednesday, and consensus top 100 prospect Brayan Bello appears likely to make his big-league debut the same day after Cora told reporters (including McCaffrey) that he’s probably the best option currently pitching in Worcester.
After hitting a bit of a rough patch in his first taste of Double-A last year, the 23-year-old Bello has tossed 85 innings 2.33 ERA ball across 15 appearances (14 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. His excellent ERA is backed up by a stellar strikeout rate (33.7%), though his walk rate (9.8%) leaves a bit to be desired.
Crawford, who’s struggled while shuttling between both Boston and Worcester and bullpen and rotation this year, could also be an option to start, though he likely won’t be Cora’s first choice. In 21 2/3 career big-league innings, he’s logged an unsightly 7.89 ERA (5.66 FIP). He has consistently missed bats at every level in the minors, however, and given the tattered state of the Boston pitching staff, he may well get an extended opportunity to do so in the bigs.
Hey Alex it’s time for the Bryan Bello Show!!! LET’S GO!!!!!!
It’s too early let him continue to pitch in AAA let’s see if the more advanced hitters adjust if not then maybe after the all-star break. They have enough depth with Winckowski, Seabold, Crawford to weather this storm especially with Sale coming back soon.
I find it amazing that the Red Sox are calling up starters who are doing ok. It’s been a long time.
I’m telling you this is the deepest I have ever seen this farm. They have had more high end prospects but I have never seen them this deep top to bottom.
In 2007, they brought up Lester & Buchholz for a combined 7-1. MDC was 25 and Gabbard was 25, Before then, it might have been the early 80s since we had a young contingent of pitchers.
I’m not saying they will all survive, But Houck, Whitlock, Winc, Seabold, Kutter represent a bunch of control years.
Without looking it up and relying on memory MDC is Marco or Michael del carmen? I remember him and he was pretty good for a little while but not that long, correct? Memory on his performance is slipping a little. I think he came out of the bullpen and wasn’t as good as advertised?
Manny Delcarmen. He wasn’t around that long, but he helped the Red Sox in the 2007 postseason when they won the World Series.
They also have Groome who has mostly looked pretty good lots of depth in pitching can never remember a time they were this deep.
Joe they also have Bello, Mata, Walter, Murphy on top Crawford, Winckowski, and Seabold. The future is pretty bright for Boston pitching.
Not to burst the bubble but #1 his start was against the Cubs and #2, what about his overall 8+ ERA so far? Is that what you consider OK?
Seabold is missing bats his stuff plays his changeup is top notch sometimes you have to look past ERA when the sample is so small he is a big leaguer might take him the a little while and he will be up and down but he will be a decent big leaguer imo.
Seabold seems like one of those guys who would be good for Atlanta or Tampa Bay, two organizations that get good performance out of pitchers. That said, Boston is actually starting to shape up as a similarly successful organization in those terms. Good to see.
It’s a great one for the Red Sox very deep in quality pitching prospects. I’m not saying top of the rotation but a lot of decent arms coming can’t remember when the last time I could say that.
rocky7
Not to burst the bubble but #1 his start was against the Cubs and #2, what about his overall 8+ ERA so far? Is that what you consider OK?
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I hope that’s not a serious question. Do you think anyone on the entire planet judges a pitcher on his first 10.2 innings? FWIW, Cortes had an ERA of 6.72 over his first three seasons.
That said, Crawford has an ERA of 2.51 in the lengthy period of time since you quoted his 8+ ERA. Based on this additional 14.1 IPs, is that what you consider OK?
Darwinzon Hernandez was activated from the AAA IL today.
What’s Crawford’s out pitch I wonder ?
Nice outing today by Crawford!
Welcome back, Kutter!
Well done!
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.