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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 21, 2024 15:06:53 GMT -5
Presumptive starter Grissom still determined to earn it Offseason acquisition hits field early, displays blue-collar attitude in first spring with Sox 2:52 PM AST Dawn Klemish
Dawn Klemish @sportsgal25
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The beginning of Spring Training is usually a time to catch up with teammates, swap offseason stories and gently ease back into a very long grind.
Vaughn Grissom didn’t get that memo.
Grissom was already dressed and at it by 8 a.m. Wednesday, a new face prepared to prove he belongs at second base.
Not long after Grissom was acquired from the Braves on Dec. 30, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the club viewed him “as someone that can play every day.” Grissom, whose path to the Majors was previously blocked by Atlanta's talented young core, is ready for his work to pay off.
“It's great to get a clear opportunity. I kind of liked the [one I had with the Braves], too, because I like to grind, and I love the doubt,” Grissom said. “It's just something that drives athletes. Whatever situation I'm in, I don't just take it as a win or anything; I feel like I still have to go out and earn everything.”
Grissom’s blue-collar mentality didn’t hurt any during his meteoric rise from Single-A Augusta in 2021 to his Major League debut on Aug. 10, 2022, when he mashed his first MLB homer … over the Green Monster at Fenway Park.
The work ethic is certainly there, and manager Alex Cora is “very excited” about Grissom, particularly his bat. Grissom slashed .287/.339/.407 in 64 games for Atlanta between 2022-23, and he saw his K rate, hard-hit rate and xBA improve from his debut season. He added a .330 batting average, 61 RBIs and a .920 OPS in 102 games with Triple-A Gwinnett in ‘23.
Cora and his staff like what they’ve seen so far and are optimistic that small tweaks, rather than sweeping changes, will help Grissom the most.
“We do believe that the stronger he gets, mechanics-wise, there are a few things sequencing-wise [Red Sox hitting coach Peter Fatse] has recognized,” Cora said. “If we can get that, then we’re going to have the final product.”
Grissom isn’t afraid of extra work. He accepted an assignment with Cangrejeros de Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League this past offseason. At the time, it seemed as though the Braves were giving Grissom a chance to test drive the outfield, as second baseman Ozzie Albies and the rest of Atlanta’s talented infield blocked his path to the Majors. But less than a month -- and not many appearances on the grass -- later, Grissom was headed to Boston just in time to ring in the new year.
While many 22-year-olds were out toasting away New Year’s Eve without a care in the world, Grissom (who turned 23 on Jan. 5) spent the evening with his uncle in Puerto Rico with a head full of questions and a whole lot of motivation.
“I want to play the cool card and say [the news of being traded] was fine,” Grissom chuckled, “but … every five minutes, it would hit me, like, 'Oh, you're on a different team now.'”
A new team for the new year, and with it an opportunity to begin anew -- to leave the defensive blips he had with the Braves behind him and, as Grissom put it, to “write my own book.”
His early Red Sox chapters already include smashing a homer out of JetBlue Park off fellow newcomer Lucas Giolito on Tuesday and impressing Cora with his handiwork while turning double plays Wednesday.
“I don't really care about proving to everyone else [that I can play every day]; I just want to prove it to myself,” Grissom added. “The offseason brings a lot of doubt, which is good, in my opinion. I love the unsure ... and just the weight.
“My last at-bat [with Atlanta] was the strikeout to send us home [in the deciding game of the National League Division Series], so it's like a little fire and the gas. It feels good, and I'm just trying to prove myself. I just want to be the best person I can be.”
The Red Sox have sought consistency at second for the past six or so seasons. They also have room in the lineup. Grissom has the tools, the motivation and the mindset. If he can put it all together this spring, it could be a best-case scenario for both sides.
“He has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do,” Cora said. “I think the power will come with more repetitions, but where he is right now, we like him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 21, 2024 15:15:22 GMT -5
Alex Cora names two young Red Sox pitchers who have stood out in camp
Updated: Feb. 21, 2024, 2:03 p.m.|Published: Feb. 21, 2024, 1:59 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Rule 5 Draft addition Justin Slaten and lefty Jorge Benitez are two pitchers who manager Alex Cora mentioned when asked Wednesday if any young players or non-roster invitees have stood out in camp so far.
“Benitez, the lefty, he’s got good (expletive),” Cora said here at JetBlue Park.
The Red Sox signed Benitez, a 24-year-old, to a minor league contract Nov. 22. They acquired Justin Slaten, a 26-year-old righty, from the Mets on Dec. 6, just after New York selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. Because of Slaten’s Rule 5 status, he must remain on the active roster for the full season (barring an IL stint) or be offered back to his previous team for $50,000.
Slaten, who’s listed at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .206 batting average against, 86 strikeouts and 20 walks in 59 ⅔ innings (40 appearances, one start) last season at Double A and Triple A combined. He threw 62 four-seamers in his five Triple-A outings (8.1 innings), topping out at 98.3 mph and never throwing one below 94.1 mph. His average four-seam velo was 96.1 mph or faster in four of his five outings. He also mixes in a cutter, curveball and slider.
“Velocity, movement,” Cora said about Slaten’s stuff. “Obviously we’ve got to make sure he throws that over the heart of the plate. But so far, so good. Big boy with good stuff. I think if you look around, we’re a little bit bigger in that department this year. A lot of big bodies, a lot of bid dudes with nasty stuff. So we’ve just gotta make sure we throw that nasty stuff over the heart of the plate and take our chances.”
The Red Sox ranked 25th out of 30 major league clubs in relief pitcher average fastball velocity (93.8 mph) in 2023, per Baseball Savant. That was down from an average of 94.9 mph in 2022. Boston put an emphasis on adding some hard-throwers, including Slaten, in the offseason.
“I do believe that decision-making at 97, 98 (mph) is a lot more difficult than at 90, 91,” Cora said. “And last year we had no velo. We had some nasty pitches. Good sliders, cutters and all that. But velocity wasn’t a part of our repertoire and this year it’s going to be a little bit different.”
Benitez pitched for Seattle’s Double-A affiliate Arkansas last year. He held opponents to a .190 batting average. He had a 2.14 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 39 walks in 40 outings (59 innings).
Baseball America wrote about him last March, “Benitez annihilates lefthanded batters with a 90-93 mph fastball from a low arm slot and a high-spin curveball in the mid 70s. His tough angle also plays against righties and gives him a chance to be a low-leverage reliever.”
“This is a guy who has been on our radar for a while,” Cora said. “He’s been really good with Seattle (in the minors). He was out there in the Rule 5 two years ago and nobody picked him up. But if you look at the numbers that matter, he was dominant. And last year he did a good job.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 21, 2024 15:24:56 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Red Sox coaches very high on Wilyer Abreu. Talented hitter, good defender. A lot there to work with. 2:08 PM · Feb 21, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 21, 2024 17:55:43 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox believe if Tyler O’Neill can stay healthy, he could be a righthanded source they need By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated February 21, 2024, 36 minutes ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tyler O’Neill crushed a Tanner Houck offering well beyond the replica Green Monster in left field at JetBlue Park early Wednesday afternoon.
Despite Houck’s attempt to crowd O’Neill with a fastball, the new Red Sox outfielder turned on the pitch, almost as if he was sitting on it in that spot. It was a display of O’Neill’s physical prowess, reminiscent of his father, Terry O’Neill, who won the Mr. Canada bodybuilding competition in 1975.
Tyler O’Neill, who is listed at 5 feet 11 inches, 200 pounds, bears a striking resemblance to his father. Wednesday’s home run also symbolized the hope the Red Sox are clinging to: If O’Neill can stay healthy, he can replicate his 2021 form, when he hit .286 with a .912 OPS and 34 homers.
“It feels great, being pain-free,” O’Neill said. “It’s one of the top priorities over here for these guys with the meetings that we’ve had, the open dialogue that I’m receiving from [manager Alex Cora], from [chief baseball officer Craig] Breslow, and all these guys. It’s been awesome. They’re prioritizing my health over everything. So they want to do everything they can to keep me in the best shape that I can be so I can play 160 games this year. That’s the main goal for me.”
Considering the most games O’Neill has ever played was 138 in 2021, 160 might be a stretch. Last year, he played in just 72 games, and the year before that just 96. But if the Sox could get him to, say, 140 games, that would be a bonus for a club lacking power from the right side of the plate.
The Sox are bullish on Wilyer Abreu playing right field. But Cora also believes they are more athletic than last year, so they can have multiple players, including O’Neill, play that spot.
“I could play anywhere,” said O’Neill. “I can play anywhere they want me. Fenway is so intricate and unique. I’ve got to get the reps out there, though. That’s what it comes down to. So just, you know, just making sure I’m taking reads off the bat as much as I can, especially early on before games get going. Seeing what it looks like with the backdrop and understanding the ground behind me.” Something new
Righthanded reliever Isaiah Campbell remained in constant communication with the Red Sox pitching group during the offseason.
Campbell, acquired in November via trade from the Mariners, compiled a 2.83 ERA last year. His ability to handle lefthanded batters is a skill set the Sox coveted, as it was an area of struggle last season.
Lefties were 7 for 43 (.163) against Campbell in 2023, slugging just .233 with a .483 OPS. However, he wasn’t as effective against righthanded batters, who hit .242 with a .704 OPS.
While righties didn’t dominate Campbell, the splits were still significant. The Red Sox, led by pitching coach Andrew Bailey and director of pitching Justin Willard, devised a plan, with Campbell working on throwing a two-seam fastball.
“I just didn’t have a pitch that really went into righties,” said Campbell. “I’m not trying to make it some pitch where I strike out 1,000 batters. It’s more of a pitch just to show inside to righties to keep them off the off-speed pitches, which are more of my weapons.”
Campbell utilizes a four-seamer, slider, and sweeper. While the sweeper and slider can crowd the hands of lefties, he lacked a pitch that could keep righties honest.
“I throw more of an overhand fastball so it has more ride and plays more up in the zone,” said Campbell. “Righties could just sit on that pitch out over the plate.”
Learning a two-seamer could help with that. Pitching plans
The Red Sox will play Northeastern Friday afternoon at JetBlue Park to kick off spring training games. Cora said that a lot of relievers will pitch in tha game. Garrett Whitlock will start Saturday and Nick Pivetta on Tuesday. Cora was unsure regarding the rest of the rotation, but he did mention that Brayan Bello could pitch Sunday and Lucas Giolito Monday . . . When Cora was asked where he saw Abreu playing the most, he said right field without hesitation. “His arm plays,” said the manager. “His actions. This guy is really good.” . . . Vaughn Grissom isn’t doing much throwing, but not because he’s hurt. Grissom, who came up as a shortstop, is playing second base exclusively for the first time in his career, and the team wants to ensure that he gets the footwork down on grounders, double play feeds, etc., before progressing to throwing.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 6:12:34 GMT -5
Ahead of first spring training game, Alex Cora full of praise for pitchers, new catcher, hard-hitting prospect
By Gabrielle Starr | gstarr@bostonherald.com PUBLISHED: February 21, 2024 at 7:32 p.m. | UPDATED: February 21, 2024 at 7:33 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Red Sox spring training games begin at JetBlue Park on Friday, and Alex Cora isn’t wasting any time getting his Major League arms on the mound.
On Friday, when the Sox host Northeastern University for their annual exhibition contest, “a bunch of relievers” will face the college kids, Cora said.
Garrett Whitlock will make the first start of the official games on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. when the Sox head to the Baltimore Orioles’ spring training complex.
Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito, each of whom threw two innings of live batting practice on Tuesday, are candidates to start on Sunday or Monday, followed by Nick Pivetta, who will pitch against his former team, the Phillies, on Tuesday.
Pivetta and Tanner Houck each threw two up-down innings of live BP on Wednesday, and earned rave reviews from their manager.
“Tanner was really good today,” Cora said. “Velocity was very up there, good action on slider.”
“Nick, the fastball was hopping,” the skipper added. “For the first up-and-down, it was really good.”
Velocity has increased this year, in general, as has the size of the pitchers doing the throwing. Cora spoke about it while discussing Justin Slaten, a new member of the 40-man roster who’s fighting for a spot on the Opening Day squad.
“Velocity, movement, obviously you gotta make sure he throws that over the heart of the plate, but so far so good,” Cora said of Slaten. “Big boy, good stuff.”
“If you look around, I think we’re a little bit bigger in that department this year,” he added. “A lot of big bodies, a lot of big dudes, and nasty stuff, so we just gotta make sure we throw that nasty stuff over the heart of the plate, and take our chances.
“Decision-making at 97, 98 (mph) is a lot more difficult than at 90, 91, and last year, we had no velo,” Cora explained. “We had some nasty pitches, right? Good sliders, cutters, and all that, but velocity wasn’t a part of our repertoire, and this year, it’s gonna be a little bit different.”
Several pitchers have also improved from working with veteran catcher Roberto Pérez, who is imparting wisdom while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.
“They’re very pleased, they like him, the feedback was really good,” Cora said after Pérez worked with Pivetta and Houck.
“He comes from a great pitching program,” he lauded, “and they did an outstanding job, and he was a big part of it. He’s won a Gold Glove before, or two.”
Back-to-back Gold Gloves, in fact, with Cleveland in ‘20 and ‘21.
“The main thing with him, and why people, teams keep calling him, is because of what he can do behind the plate,” the skipper added.
As for the Opening Day starter, it’s still too early for him to name names. Earlier in the week, he joked about tabbing Chris Sale for the job, only to see him traded to the Atlanta Braves.
However, Cora did make it a point to say that building up Brayan Bello is a priority for the beginning of the season. “The goal here is to get him ready to pitch in the big leagues, to pitch in the regular season as soon as possible,” he said.
Asked if that meant Opening Day, all the manager would say was, “To pitch in the big leagues as soon as possible.” A complete player
Wilyer Abreu also received some high praise from Cora on Wednesday.
As the rookie outfielder competes for a roster spot, his manager wants him to, “Just keep doing the things that he did last year.”
“He’s a good player,” Cora said. “He’s a good defender, puts good at-bats, hits the ball hard, he runs the bases well. He’s a complete player.”
The Red Sox acquired Abreu at the ’22 trade deadline, when they dealt Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros. Cora raved about Abreu last spring training, too. He debuted on August 22, and collected 24 hits, including six doubles and two home runs, in 28 games.
They see him playing right-field. “His arm plays, his actions,” the skipper explained, “I mean, this guy’s really good.”
Overall, Cora believes the Sox outfielder crew is “more athletic than last year, so we can move guys around.”
“The guys that we have, they’re gonna go get ‘em: Tyler (O’Neill), he’s won a Gold Glove, he’s very quick, he reads,” he said, “and then Abreu, we’ll see what the future holds, but we’re comfortable with him playing right field.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 6:16:50 GMT -5
Why Red Sox catcher Connor Wong says he’s focused on framing during spring training By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated February 21, 2024, 5:52 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Connor Wong left a strong impression behind the plate last season for the Red Sox, earning praise from his veteran teammates, including Chris Sale, Nick Pivetta, and James Paxton.
The pitchers consistently lauded his game-calling and ability to remain calm when they were struggling on the mound. Wong also showcased his arm strength in 2023, ranking just outside the top 10 in baseball in throwing out 18 would-be base stealers.
His durability was evident as well, as he caught the vast majority of games during the summer months after Reese McGuire was sidelined with an oblique strain.
While his batting is a work in progress, Wong’s prowess behind the plate is undeniable. However, if there’s one area where Wong has focused on improvement, it’s framing pitches. Despite ranking in the 78th percentile in pop time and the 92nd percentile in caught steals above average, Wong was below average in framing, ranking in the 18th percentile.
This spring, Wong has made it a priority to develop his framing skills to steal more strikes.
“Pitch framing is big for me,” he said. “We were working on some of this stuff during the year last year, but nothing really stuck. And I couldn’t figure out the move I wanted to make. But the first couple of weeks here, I thought, have [gone] really well. I’m just continuing to work on those things and make a consistent move.”
According to manager Alex Cora, improving framing is achievable. For Wong, the ideal move when framing a pitch is to get underneath the ball upon receiving it, allowing him to secure the low strike. Working through that pitch with his left arm slightly bent is also crucial for more flexibility.
Wong catches the top of the ball when he extends his arm too early, forcing his glove down instead of up through the strike zone. This could lead to strikes being called balls because of the angle of the mitt.
Cora added that while Wong needs to improve his framing, last year’s numbers may be misleading because of the pitching staff’s inconsistent command.
This spring, Wong has been working with Jason Varitek to refine his framing skills. He takes feeds from a pitching machine, almost exaggerating the upward movement just to get a feel for it. Effective pitch framing not only can change the outcome of an at-bat but also allows a pitcher more conviction in what he throws.
“Whenever I’m on the mound and I throw a borderline pitch and my catcher is behind the plate and he makes it look good, it makes me feel like every pitch I throw is a good pitch,” said starter Kutter Crawford. “So if you’re feeling that way, your confidence goes up and you just feel a lot better out there on the mound.”
Pitchers already feel comfortable working with Wong, and this improvement will only solidify their trust.
“We worked on some of the timing things with different drills,” said Wong. “So the timing is getting better and just continuing to hammer that.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 11:21:55 GMT -5
Red Sox trade opens door for another acquired pitcher; ‘Awesome to hear’
Updated: Feb. 22, 2024, 7:29 a.m.|Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 7:27 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Both chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora mentioned righty Isaiah Campbell as a reliever who could step up after Boston traded John Schreiber to the Royals.
The Red Sox acquired Campbell from the Mariners in November for second baseman Luis Urías.
The Schreiber trade should open up more of an opportunity for Campbell to make the Opening Day roster. MassLive’s most recent Opening Day roster projection has Campbell making the team.
“It’s awesome to hear,” Campbell said when told that both Breslow and Cora mentioned him. “It just kind of shows the work and the effort I’ve put in so far this early in camp. So it’s paying off and the staff’s noticing. But really for me, that stuff, that’s out of my control. So for me, it’s just coming in here every day with a chip on my shoulder. Just come in here, work hard and get better every single day. And if I do that stuff, and do everything I can control, at the end of the day I want to make it harder for them not to keep me on the roster.”
Cora and Breslow mentioned both Campbell and Greg Weissert, a right-handed reliever acquired from the Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade. But Cora specifically mentioned Campbell’s ability to get out left-handed hitters. Campbell held left-handed hitting opponents to a .163 batting average in his 27 outings (28 ⅔ innings) for Seattle last year.
“He can get lefties out and that’s something last year, we didn’t do a good job with it,” Cora said. “Our righties struggled throughout the season with that. So we’ll see what happens in the upcoming weeks but I feel comfortable with the guys we have in camp that somebody is going to take this spot and run away with it and help us win some ballgames.”
In the minors last year (Double A), lefties batted just .125 against Campbell.
“I don’t do anything crazily different from lefty to righty,” Campbell said. “Last year I learned a new slider/cutter, just a little firmer. It plays better off my four-seam fastball. I think I’ve just had a lot of success with that — just being able to throw those two pitches. I’ve always been a guy that throws a lot of strikes. so putting those two (pitches) in the zone with my big slider, they all complement each other well. It’s a lot for a lefty to see. So I think that really gave me a lot of success last year.”
Right-handed batters hit .242 against him in the majors and .271 in the minors last year. He feels he’ll be better against righties this year with the addition of a new pitch.
“This offseason, I was really working on getting righties out,” Campbell said. “So just I tried to learn a two-seamer/sinker. And that’s just more of a way to get righties off the plate. And so they have something coming into their bodies and just be like, ‘Woah. OK. He will throw inside to me.’ Just to open up the offspeed pitches. So I’m not saying I was bad against righties last year but the numbers show I was significantly better against lefties.”
The 26-year-old, who stands at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, posted a 2.83 ERA (28 ⅔ innings, nine earned runs) and 1.22 WHIP in his 27 relief outings for Seattle last year.
Campbell averaged 95 mph with his four-seam fastball velocity last year. He throws two different sliders. Opponents went just 7-for-51 (.137 batting average) with one extra-base hit (double) and .157 slugging percentage against his harder slider in ‘23.
“My approach, it’s pretty simple. It’s throw strikes and throw nasty stuff,” Campbell said. “Everyone in this clubhouse has stuff good enough to be on that roster. So it’s just got to be simple. Just throw strikes and if a guy hits it, so what? They get paid to play baseball just like we do. But I’m going to throw nasty stuff every time.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 11:28:42 GMT -5
of course they are.... same old shit with Boston
Pete Abraham @peteabe Red Sox are going to have 2B Nick Yorke work into outfield drills during camp to increase his versatility. 9:52 AM · Feb 22, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 14:43:17 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Northeastern will pitch sophomore RHP Aiven Cabral against the Red Sox tomorrow. The Lynn native is 9-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 19 career appearances.
Cabral attended St. Mary's HS in Lynn, which also produced Tony Conigliaro.
Really looking forward to seeing Northeastern tomorrow. Huskies were 44-16 last year and made the NCAA tournament. Mike Glavine has built of the best programs in the Northeast. CF Mike Sirota is a potential 1st-round pick.
Sox are starting LHP Helcris Olivarez, a 23-year-old minor league free agent signed in November.
In the "baseball is a small world" dept., I covered the six MLB games Mike played in 2003 for the Mets. Made his debut in Montreal with a bunch of friends and family there. Pinch hit for his brother and grounded out.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:38:23 GMT -5
Macho Man poised for breakout sophomore campaign 4:50 PM AST Ian Browne
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In his sophomore season with the Red Sox -- and in the United States -- Masataka Yoshida’s goal is to improve his stamina so he can finish the same way he starts.
That wasn’t the case last season, even though his rookie year wasn’t so bad. In 140 games (580 plate appearances), Yoshida had a batting line of .289/.338/.445 with 15 homers and 72 RBIs.
On Aug. 1, he was slashing .306/.367/.484 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs. From there, his line dropped to .251/.271/.363, with three homers and 19 RBIs in his final 171 at-bats.
But now, Yoshida has a full year under his belt of adapting to a new culture, getting to know his teammates and knowing what to expect through the rigors of a Major League season.
In hindsight, it’s easy to see why Yoshida wore down over the final two months of last year. Admirably, he was one of the first players to report to Spring Training in 2023 because he wanted to get a jump-start on adjusting to things before going back to Japan for the start of the World Baseball Classic.
Yoshida was a hero for Team Japan en route to the country’s third title, setting a tournament record with 13 RBIs.
It was an exhausting and exhilarating experience for Yoshida, but one he admitted might have subtracted from his performance for Boston.
“Obviously, with the WBC and all that, I accomplished some stuff on the personal side, but as a team with the Red Sox, we couldn't accomplish what we'd hoped,” Yoshida said. “So that's something that I'm kind of trying to go for, trying to aim for, and if I can, I want to contribute to the victories of the team as much as I can.”
It wasn’t just the World Baseball Classic. Yoshida said the travel during a Major League Baseball season was different than what he was used to in Japan.
“Time difference, that was something that I didn't get to experience in Japan,” Yoshida said. “So that was something new to me. And in Japan, we take public transportation, and charter and take a private plane. So that was something different, too. And sometimes, after the game, we’d hop on the plane and get back to Boston in the early morning, so that was something new as well."
This year, he will be ready for that. The way Yoshida puts it, it is a matter of acceptance.
“I think it all comes down to accepting the difference,” Yoshida said. “Obviously, there's a difference between Japan and the U.S., so I'm trying to adapt myself and trying to accept the difference -- that’s the adjustment that I made last year.”
Another thing Yoshida will have to accept is far more time at DH than the 49 games he started there last year. Two things have changed. Justin Turner -- last year’s primary DH -- is now with the Blue Jays, and the Sox want to be more athletic in the outfield.
“Obviously whatever role [manager Alex Cora] gives me, I'm trying to do my best I can,” Yoshida said. “Whatever role I get, that's what I'm going to do. And obviously, I'm here to contribute to the team and contribute to the victories of the team and, you know, offensively, defensively, I just want to stay ready at all times.”
In other words, Yoshida isn’t going to short-change the work he puts in on defense during Spring Training.
“Defensively, obviously, the stadiums and ballparks are different from Japan, the fences and the structure of it,” Yoshida said. “So there's a lot to still adjust to, but I want to stay ready, and I've been working with [outfield coach Kyle Hudson] on footwork and everything.”
It stands to reason that Yoshida will be on far more solid footing in 2024.
“Now that I’ve spent one year in the big leagues, I know my routines at home and away, so I’m ready for that,” Yoshida said.
Has Yoshida set any offensive goals for himself in ‘24?
“The main thing I kind of focus on is trying to hit the ball hard,” he said. “The outcome, I can't really control. But the process of it, I can control that. So that's something that I want to focus on this year offensively."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:42:56 GMT -5
Red Sox top 2B prospect to get reps in outfield; ‘I want to see him play’
Updated: Feb. 22, 2024, 2:41 p.m.|Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 2:36 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox top second base prospect Nick Yorke will begin taking some in the outfield.
“He’s gonna get some reps probably in batting practice and in the backfields,” manager Alex Cora said Thursday at JetBlue Park. “But not during the games for now.”
It makes sense. As MassLive wrote Wednesday, the Red Sox hope they have their long-term solution at second base in 23-year-old Vaughn Grissom, who they acquired from the Braves for Chris Sale in December. Grissom is under team control through 2029. That leaves Yorke’s status in question.
Yorke, Boston’s 2020 first round draft pick, told MassLive he is glad to have Grissom in the mix because they are good friends and he feels they can co-exist together on the roster someday.
“In terms of possibly changing positions, I couldn’t care less where I play,” Yorke said earlier this week. “I just want to make it to the big leagues. I’m a big believer that my best is better than anyone’s best. So if I do what I’ve got to do and no matter who’s there, it doesn’t really affect me.”
“That’s something he wants to do,” Cora said about Yorke learning the outfield. “He understands where he’s at with the organization. I want to see him play. I know some people are down on him for X or Y reason. I remember him playing here a few years ago. I loved the at-bat. I loved the fact that everything we’ve asked him to do the last few years, he’s done it. Showing up early in camp. He gets here in January early. So just go out there, compete, play good defense. He’s getting bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger. So it will be fun to watch him play.”
Yorke has experienced some struggles after a dominant first season in the pros. He’s no longer ranked on Baseball America’s Top 100 list after being listed as high as No. 31. He spent 2023 at Double-A Portland where he batted .268 with a .350 on-base percentage, .435 slugging percentage, .785 OPS, 13 homers, 25 doubles, five triples, 74 runs, 61 RBIs, 51 walks, 122 strikeouts and 18 steals in 110 games (506 plate appearances).
“I think he can hit for average,” Cora said. “I think he can get on base. Right now, hitting the ball in the air, it’s always important but I think getting his stroke back to right-center is more important.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:44:53 GMT -5
Josh Winckowski takes second shot at Red Sox’ rotation after bullpen detour
Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 5:16 p.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — During the 2022 season, Josh Winckowski made his first stab at earning a spot in the Red Sox’ starting rotation. For the most part, it didn’t go well.
Over 15 outings — all but one as a starter — Winckowski pitched to a 5.89 ERA and a gaudy 1.592 WHIP.
His second year with the Red Sox saw him recast as a reliever, with far more success. Winckowski lowered his ERA by almost exactly three runs (2.88) while making 60 appearances and contributing 84.1 innings.
Still, the Red Sox weren’t convinced that his starting days were over. Buoyed by the success he enjoyed in the bullpen, the Sox approached Winckowski at the tail end of last season and proposed giving the rotation a second try.
Now, he finds himself in the mix for a starter’s spot, battling with the likes of Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, all three of whom, like WInckowski, have had extended stretches as relievers.
“He’s a big kid and we believe his stuff can sustain over an outing,” explained Alex Cora. “Whatever decision we make if we pivot for him to go to the bullpen, he’ll go to the bullpen. If we feel as an organization we’ve got to stretch him out and keep him in that (starting) role, we’ll do that. We’re not even at Game 1, so (we’ll see). But the thing with him is, he throws strikes and he has good stuff. He keeps getting better physically.
“We envisioned him as a starter when we got him (in the trade). I know last year he was good (in relief), but we’ll see how the competition goes. (Two years ago), he was still a kid. Pitchability was missing there. He was just throwing a lot of stuff over the heart of the plate. He got some people out and was successful early on, but the hitters made some adjustments and he hit the wall for a while there and his stuff (regressed). But I do believe physically he’s matured and the pitchability is there.”
Giving Winckowski another shot at the rotation is in keeping with the way most teams think. Starters are so difficult to find and develop that organizations are reluctant to give up on the notion that a pitcher can contribute in that role. Before Winckowski is consigned to the bullpen on a more permanent basis, the Sox want to give him every opportunity to claim a starter’s job. .
With the benefit of another year in the big leagues, Winckowski feels more prepared than ever to tackle starting.
“You can always feel like you’re prepared for the big league level,” he said. “But it’s a completely different game. When you’re here, you learn stuff that you can’t learn anywhere else, and I feel like I just have a better understanding of who I am and what I need to do — what pitches I need to use, staying calm and staying relaxed.
“But the one thing that I took away from last year was, even when I was throwing shorter stints, I was still kind of pitching as though I was a starter, kind of using that starter’s three or four pitch mix. I didn’t lose that, so I feel like that should translate back this year.”
Winckowski saw his strikeout rate soar from 5.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 2022 to 8.8 last year. Some of that can naturally be attributed to velocity trending upward in shorter outings, but he’s believes he’s perfectly capable of maintaining his velocity over longer stretches this year.
“I honestly have no concern about that at all,” he said. “There were quite a few outings last year with multiple innings. One of my saves last year was a three-inning (appearance) against the Padres and my average velo in that game was still 97 mph. I understand it was only three innings, but the fatigue was not there at all. I feel like if I can hold for three innings, then five, six or seven (innings) is not impossible at all. Yeah, I threw a little harder out of the bullpen last year, but I feel like it came naturally. I think mechanically I was much more synched up.
“I feel like I can easily be 94-97 mph or 95-98 mph as a starter.”
As much as anything, last year proved to Winckowski that he’s capable of having success in the big leagues and that has bolstered his confidence level this spring.
“It’s kind of an unseen thing,” he offered. “But it really does change how you pitch, how you perform. At different times I’ve felt confident and at times I’ve not felt very confident. But sure, having the confidence after last year goes a long way.i
“I was extremely happy with last year, but (being a successful starter) is definitely something I want to prove to myself that I can do. Being a starter all my life, I want to be able to say one day that I was a successful starter in the big leagues. That’s something I’m working extremely hard to do and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -5
Lucas Giolito praises Red Sox program: ‘It’s all about development’
Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 8:46 p.m.
By
Lauren Campbell | LCampbell@masslive.com
Lucas Giolito spent a majority of his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox, so he was used to how his former team did things. Now a member of the Boston Red Sox and in the middle of his first spring training with a new club, he has nothing but high praise for their focus on development.
“I’d say that the program here, it’s all about development,” the right-hander told Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam on MassLive’s “Fenway Rundown” podcast. “Things that were just said today in our meeting, like the development doesn’t stop at Triple-A. We get to the big leagues, we still have a huge team. You want to get a pitch better, you feel something mechanically off — go and talk to these guys.
“But at the same time, there’s respect for kind of how everyone works, which I appreciate. The communication level is extremely high,” Giolito continued. “If you want to go in and look at all the skeletons and biomechanics and study analytics, there are guides for that. If you prefer not to, then maybe it’s communicated to (pitching coach Andrew) Bailey and then he comes to us with whatever suggestion. So it really can be catered to every individual player because we’re all unique and different.”
The Red Sox rotation has pitchers who are veterans, newcomers and ones who have been in MLB but fighting for the final spot in the rotation. So they all have different needs, areas where they need to improve and areas where they strive. Having someone like Bailey, who used to pitch for the Red Sox, is also helpful when it comes to helping get the most out of those on the mound.
Being able to go into spring training knowing what you want to work on and knowing you’ll have the support to continue to develop yourself will certainly be beneficial to not just Giolito as he navigates his first year in Boston, but pitchers like Brayan Bello, who’s expected to take a big step this season, and Tanner Houck, who, like Garrett Whitlock, has been in and out of the rotation.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:54:47 GMT -5
Here’s why the Red Sox are so confident in Wilyer Abreu in right field By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated February 22, 2024, 2 hours ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Wilyer Abreu caught the attention of the Red Sox this spring. Again.
Not only has he received high praise from manager Alex Cora, but also from teammates, some of whom might be fighting for a roster spot that Abreu could impact.
“He’s legit,” one player said.
That, seemingly, is the general tone surrounding Abreu. He’s a player. A grinder. Some evaluators have even labeled him a “dirtbag,” a player who will rumble in the mud just to gain an edge.
“I love this game,” Abreu said Thursday through a translator. “I love playing for this team. It gives me a push to be that player playing higher every time. I don’t want to be seen as a lazy guy on the field or anything like that. I just feel like going out there to try to gain every little advantage that I can.”
Abreu isn’t a towering presence. In fact, at first glance you wouldn’t think he’s much of an athlete. His listed 5 feet 10 inches, 215 pounds seem accurate. Abreu certainly isn’t out of shape. He has one of the best motors on the Sox, which goes back to his fierce mentality. But the body type doesn’t scream athlete. The play, however, does, if you ask the coaching staff.
That alone is a big reason why the Sox don’t hesitate when asked who they see taking a lot of the responsibilities in right field this season. It’s Abreu.
“His arm and the way he moves. He’s a good defender,” said Cora. “That’s why we’re so confident. He’s a good athlete. He likes to show off his arm.”
Abreu’s arm is elite. And when teams see him for a full year, they will recognize it as one of the best in baseball. In fact, Sox outfielders recently participated in a drill where they got to show off their arms, and Abreu became the show while his teammates lined up to watch.
“The arm strength part of it is impressive overall,” said third base and outfield coach Kyle Hudson. “I mean, the guy probably has one of the better arms in the league. And it’s not just the strength of his arm, it’s the accuracy of it, too. He works on that. So, we’re super confident in his ability to play out there, his ability to play even in center field and left field, cas well.”
Shift limits, implemented last season, heighten the importance of Abreu’s arm because one of his responsibilities is preventing runners from advancing from first to third on balls hit his way. But it’s not just about the arm.
“I just think of his versatility,” Hudson said. “You look at him, and he doesn’t necessarily look like a guy who could play center field or cover a lot of ground. And then he goes out there and you see him move around. His ability to read a ball off the bat and close ground and be confident in his reads is really impressive.”
Right field at Fenway Park is like center field everywhere else because of the dimensions, and Abreu will have to get to know the position. The Sox see versatility and athleticism beyond Abreu in right field, with players such as Tyler O’Neill also capable of playing there, so much of the load, at least early on, won’t fall on the 24-year-old.
The Sox have been bullish on his ability since he was called up at the end of last season, and this sentiment has carried over to this year. When Opening Day comes in Seattle, Abreu could represent the beginning of a new era in right field for the Sox.
“I’m just getting ready every day,” he said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 22, 2024 21:57:51 GMT -5
Nick Yorke intends to be part of the wave of prospects who elevate the Red Sox By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated February 22, 2024, 5:16 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have tied their future to their top prospects, specifically center fielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer, and catcher Kyle Teel.
As that trio further matures in minor league camp this spring, the Sox have dropped payroll and seemingly are waiting for the right time to make a more concerted effort to improve the roster via free agency or trade.
Where does that leave second baseman Nick Yorke?
The team’s first-round pick in 2020, Yorke is in major league camp for the first time. At 21, he has little chance to make the team. But Yorke does have the opportunity to elevate his status within the organization.
Yorke had a solid year for Double A Portland last season, hitting .268 with a .785 OPS. But he has fallen out of the top 100 in most prospect rankings after being the 17th overall pick as a high school player.
That the Sox traded Chris Sale to the Braves in December for 23-year-old second baseman Vaughn Grissom suggests the organization wanted a contingency plan at second base.
Yorke remains one of the top 10 prospects within the organization but has work to do to stay there.
Still, Alex Cora is a fan.
“I want to see him play,” the manager said. “I know some people are down on him for [whatever] reason. I love the fact that everything we have asked him to do the last few years, he’s done it.”
What the Sox want this time is to try Yorke in the outfield and see how that looks. He hasn’t played there since eighth grade but is happy to give it a shot.
“I was always an outfielder until I got to high school,” Yorke said. “I never touched the infield until then. I was one of the more athletic kids and they put me there and the rest is history.
If Grissom becomes established at second base, the outfield could be where Yorke ultimately fits. Cora said the plan was to give Yorke opportunities to track fly balls in batting practice, not necessarily in Grapefruit League games. But that could change quickly.
“He understands where he’s at in the organization,” Cora said.
However it works positionally, Yorke wants the Big Three to be the Big Four and to join Anthony, Mayer, and Teel as game-changers in the majors. Related: Being entertaining and quasi-competitive isn't out of reach for Red Sox.
Yorke has watched the Orioles rebuild via their organization, bringing in a wave of young talent. He played against infielders Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday in the minors and sees the Red Sox having the ability to do something similar.
“We’re a tight-knit group of guys and on a fast pace,” Yorke said. “We’re all really close and we want to play together for a long time. It’s not something we talk about in terms of when it will happen. It’s more just understanding what we can do. We have to ball out and prove to people that they were right about us.”
Cora sees Yorke as being a player who can help the lineup.
“I think he can hit for average, I think he can get on base,” the manager said. “Getting the ball in the air is always important. But I think getting his stroke back to right-center is more important.”
The minor league clubhouse is only a short walk from the much nicer major league clubhouse at JetBlue Park. Yorke joked that the food is better and the chairs are more comfortable. His buddies are jealous.
“It’s great to be here,” Yorke said. “But either way, you have to show up every day with a good attitude and play hard. I wish they were here, but it’s out of my control. Hopefully next year we’ll all be together and doing great things.”
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