The Red Sox plan to recall pitching prospect Brandon Walter before tomorrow’s game in Minnesota, tweets Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. He’s likely to make his MLB debut, either as the starter or as a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Chris Cotillo of MassLive first reported (on Twitter) this afternoon the Sox were mulling a Walter promotion.
It’s the initial big league call for Walter, who first entered pro ball as a 26th-round pick in 2019. A $35K signee out of the University of Delaware, the 6’2″ southpaw didn’t begin his career with much fanfare. After the 2020 minor league season was canceled, Walter put together a breakout showing between two A-ball levels in 2021. He combined for a 2.92 ERA while striking out over 36% of batters faced thanks to a velocity spike, establishing himself on the prospect radar. He split last season between the top two minor league levels.
Each of Baseball America, Keith Law of the Athletic and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN placed Walter in the 9-11 range among Boston prospects last winter. Evaluators praised a three-pitch arsenal led by a plus or better slider. All three outlets suggested he had some chance to stick at the back of a rotation but noted injury and/or delivery concerns that could point to a future in the bullpen.
The 26-year-old has had a tough few months with Triple-A Worcester to open the season. He’s started 12 of 13 games and allowed a 6.28 ERA over 61 2/3 innings. While Walter’s 22.4% strikeout percentage and 9.1% walk rate aren’t that far from average, a lofty .362 batting average on balls in play has led to an inflated ERA.
Boston will look past that and give Walter at least his first big league look. The Sox have an opening in the rotation after Tanner Houck was struck in the face by a comebacker last Friday. Boston hasn’t announced who’ll join James Paxton, Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford in the starting staff over the long haul. Perhaps Walter will get a few opportunities to stake a claim to that job.
The Red Sox added Walter to their 40-man roster last offseason to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. They’ll only need to clear a spot on the active roster to accommodate his promotion.
75/7 K/BB ratio last season!
Looks like I’ll be watching to Sox game tomorrow. A couple impressive kids making their debut
I’m not trying to crack wise, but I have never understood why sportswriters use the word “recall” when a player is called up for their debut. How can they recall him if he’s never been called before? It breaks the definition of the word.
He was “Optioned” down after Spring Training. I know it’s weird and should be reclassified, just explaining why the term is used.
Another person asked that a few days ago. IIRC, it’s the term used for players who were already on the 40-man roster. It’s used to seperate their contract being selected (aka added to the 40-man roster), and being called to the major leagues.
I literally came here to post that exact sentiment. “Re” would insinuate again in this case, whereas “call up” would be applicable for the first time. There hasn’t been a past tense in this case for the player.
Came here to ask the same. I’ve seen it used in all circumstances whether a player is on 40-man, hasn’t made a major league debut, or has been going between minors and majors throughout the season.
If it’s a debut, it should be “called up”.
It provides excitement.
Careful. People who have actually recalled something in life will protest and demand MLB change the wording.
He was “called” when they put him on the 40-man roster last offseason. Then optioned down during Spring Training this year. Being sent down on that option is what makes this a recall, as opposed to “selecting” someone not currently on the 40-man roster.
#TrueStory
We may run out of coffee.