Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 22, 2021 4:03:29 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Christian Vázquez says this is the ‘best Matt Barnes’ he has ever seen, Josh Taylor’s struggles continue; Connor Wong on taxi squad
Updated 2:10 AM; Today 2:07 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Christian Vázquez has caught Matt Barnes for nearly a decade, first teaming up with the 2011 first-round pick at High-A Salem in 2012. In all that time, the catcher has never seen the Red Sox’ de facto closer look as good as he has through the first three weeks of the 2021 season.
Barnes, now 30 and in his seventh major-league season, has been close to lights-out so far this year, allowing a single run on three hits while striking out 16 batters in nine innings. He’s 3-for-3 in save opportunities and has shown increased command of all his pitches compared to previous years.
“It’s electric,” Vázquez said Wednesday. “Electric fastball this year. I’ve seen, I think, the best Matt Barnes I’ve ever seen all my years with him.’
Barnes is a free agent after the year and could make himself a significant sum of money if he keeps up his dominance throughout the season. Advanced metrics show both his fastball (which he has thrown at an average velocity of 95.6 mph) and curveball are among the most effective pitches in baseball.
“Before, he had the best changeup in the organization. Now he has one of the best curveballs in the organization and the league,” Vázquez said. “He’s got electric stuff this year. He looks very good.”
Taylor’s struggles continue
Though Garrett Richards’ six-walk performance in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays made headlines, another Red Sox pitcher had an ugly night as well. Lefty reliever Josh Taylor pitched the ninth -- with Boston trailing, 4-3 -- and was tagged for two runs and three hits as Toronto added some insurance.
Taylor was one of Boston’s most effective relievers as a rookie in 2019, posting a 3.04 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 ⅓ innings. But the southpaw only pitched 9 ⅓ innings in 2020 due to a bout with COVID-19 and shoulder tendinitis and is off to a horrendous start (10.80 ERA in 6 ⅔ innings) this season.
Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez entered the year as Boston’s two top lefties in the bullpen but Taylor has minor-league options remaining, so it’s not out of the question that he’d get sent to Triple-A Worcester if his struggles continue. Righties Eduard Bazardo and Kevin McCarthy and lefty Stephen Gonsalves are potential replacements.
More Sox receive shots
Another group of Red Sox players and coaches received their COVID-19 vaccines before Wednesday’s game, manager Alex Cora said. The first wave of participants received their shots after Monday’s game.
Cora received his second dose Wednesday and said the Red Sox still aren’t certain that 85% of their players and coaches will get vaccinated. The club is monitoring players for potential side effects that could hold them out of game action this week.
“That’s something that has been happening throughout the league and we know that’s something that might happen,” Cora said.
Renfroe off as struggles continue
Outfielder Hunter Renfroe didn’t play in Wednesday’s loss with righty Trent Thornton on the mound for Toronto. Renfroe has gotten off to a dismal start this season, batting .171 (7-for-41) with a double, a homer and a .486 OPS.
Since homering against the Twins on April 13, Renfroe is 3-for-18 with three singles and seven strikeouts. Cora believes his mechanics are out of whack.
“He was down there working with (hitting coaches Tim Hyers and Pete Fatse) today. Just out in front,” Cora said. “He’s a little bit off balance, kind of like lunging toward the ball. That’s why, you see those pitches outside… he probably feels like they’re way off and they’re actually good pitches. It’s something that we saw last year with the Rays. He was in such a good place in spring training. We feel like we can get him back to do that again.”
Wong on taxi squad
Catching prospect Connor Wong is with the Red Sox in Boston as a member of the club’s taxi squad, according to Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Wong, who is on the alternate site roster in Worcester, is the only player working out with the Red Sox, as big-league teams are allowed to have an extra catcher on hand while at home.
Boston can carry up to five players -- including one catcher -- on its road taxi squad. The Red Sox leave for their next road trip Sunday night, heading out to face the Mets and Rangers on a six-game, seven-day trip.
Mariners up next
The Red Sox will finish off their longest homestand of the season with a four-game series against the surprising Mariners, who are off to an 11-7 start. Here are the pitching probables:
Thursday, 7:10 p.m. -- RHP Justin Dunn vs. RHP Nick Pivetta
Friday, 7:10 p.m. -- LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. LHP Martín Pérez
Saturday, 1:10 p.m. -- RHP Chris Flexen vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Sunday, 1:10 p.m. -- TBD vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Updated 2:10 AM; Today 2:07 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Christian Vázquez has caught Matt Barnes for nearly a decade, first teaming up with the 2011 first-round pick at High-A Salem in 2012. In all that time, the catcher has never seen the Red Sox’ de facto closer look as good as he has through the first three weeks of the 2021 season.
Barnes, now 30 and in his seventh major-league season, has been close to lights-out so far this year, allowing a single run on three hits while striking out 16 batters in nine innings. He’s 3-for-3 in save opportunities and has shown increased command of all his pitches compared to previous years.
“It’s electric,” Vázquez said Wednesday. “Electric fastball this year. I’ve seen, I think, the best Matt Barnes I’ve ever seen all my years with him.’
Barnes is a free agent after the year and could make himself a significant sum of money if he keeps up his dominance throughout the season. Advanced metrics show both his fastball (which he has thrown at an average velocity of 95.6 mph) and curveball are among the most effective pitches in baseball.
“Before, he had the best changeup in the organization. Now he has one of the best curveballs in the organization and the league,” Vázquez said. “He’s got electric stuff this year. He looks very good.”
Taylor’s struggles continue
Though Garrett Richards’ six-walk performance in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays made headlines, another Red Sox pitcher had an ugly night as well. Lefty reliever Josh Taylor pitched the ninth -- with Boston trailing, 4-3 -- and was tagged for two runs and three hits as Toronto added some insurance.
Taylor was one of Boston’s most effective relievers as a rookie in 2019, posting a 3.04 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 ⅓ innings. But the southpaw only pitched 9 ⅓ innings in 2020 due to a bout with COVID-19 and shoulder tendinitis and is off to a horrendous start (10.80 ERA in 6 ⅔ innings) this season.
Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez entered the year as Boston’s two top lefties in the bullpen but Taylor has minor-league options remaining, so it’s not out of the question that he’d get sent to Triple-A Worcester if his struggles continue. Righties Eduard Bazardo and Kevin McCarthy and lefty Stephen Gonsalves are potential replacements.
More Sox receive shots
Another group of Red Sox players and coaches received their COVID-19 vaccines before Wednesday’s game, manager Alex Cora said. The first wave of participants received their shots after Monday’s game.
Cora received his second dose Wednesday and said the Red Sox still aren’t certain that 85% of their players and coaches will get vaccinated. The club is monitoring players for potential side effects that could hold them out of game action this week.
“That’s something that has been happening throughout the league and we know that’s something that might happen,” Cora said.
Renfroe off as struggles continue
Outfielder Hunter Renfroe didn’t play in Wednesday’s loss with righty Trent Thornton on the mound for Toronto. Renfroe has gotten off to a dismal start this season, batting .171 (7-for-41) with a double, a homer and a .486 OPS.
Since homering against the Twins on April 13, Renfroe is 3-for-18 with three singles and seven strikeouts. Cora believes his mechanics are out of whack.
“He was down there working with (hitting coaches Tim Hyers and Pete Fatse) today. Just out in front,” Cora said. “He’s a little bit off balance, kind of like lunging toward the ball. That’s why, you see those pitches outside… he probably feels like they’re way off and they’re actually good pitches. It’s something that we saw last year with the Rays. He was in such a good place in spring training. We feel like we can get him back to do that again.”
Wong on taxi squad
Catching prospect Connor Wong is with the Red Sox in Boston as a member of the club’s taxi squad, according to Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Wong, who is on the alternate site roster in Worcester, is the only player working out with the Red Sox, as big-league teams are allowed to have an extra catcher on hand while at home.
Boston can carry up to five players -- including one catcher -- on its road taxi squad. The Red Sox leave for their next road trip Sunday night, heading out to face the Mets and Rangers on a six-game, seven-day trip.
Mariners up next
The Red Sox will finish off their longest homestand of the season with a four-game series against the surprising Mariners, who are off to an 11-7 start. Here are the pitching probables:
Thursday, 7:10 p.m. -- RHP Justin Dunn vs. RHP Nick Pivetta
Friday, 7:10 p.m. -- LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. LHP Martín Pérez
Saturday, 1:10 p.m. -- RHP Chris Flexen vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Sunday, 1:10 p.m. -- TBD vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez