The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Blake Wehunt from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by Tommy Cassell of The Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
After missing most of April with a left hamstring strain, Wehunt emerged as one of Portland’s top starters this season. In 13 starts for the Sea Dogs, the 25-year-old right-hander posted a 3.52 ERA with 72 strikeouts to 16 walks over 53 2/3 innings. Opposing hitters batted .235 against him.
Twice recognized as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (June 22-28 and June 29-July 5), Wehunt is one of 52 pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings in the league this year. Among that group, he ranks second in xFIP (3.27), third in strikeout rate (33%), fourth in strikeouts per nine (12.07), seventh in FIP (3.61) and WHIP (1.17), ninth in walks per nine (2.68), 10th in ERA and walk rate (7.3%), 11th in groundball rate (49.2%), and 15th in batting average against, according to FanGraphs.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, Wehunt throws from a three-quarters arm slot and operates with a diverse pitch mix. In addition to a 93-96 mph power fastball that tops out at 97 mph, the hard-throwing righty features an 89-91 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph sweeper, and an 85-87 mph splitter. He is capable of mixing in a changeup and curveball as well.
Wehunt is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 25 prospect, placing 12th among pitchers in the organization. The Georgia-born chicken farmer was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Kennesaw State. He received a $100,000 signing bonus and quickly worked his way up the system in his first full professional season before a lat strain limited him to 63 1/3 innings with Portland last year.
Wehunt, who turns 26 in November, is slated to join Worcester’s starting rotation ahead of its upcoming series against Jacksonville at Polar Park. With his Triple-A debut on the horizon, it is worth noting that Wehunt is reaching the minors’ highest level at a significant time, as he will become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft after the season if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by this winter’s protection deadline.
Taking that into consideration, this promotion should help the Red Sox determine Wehunt’s role in the organization as they continue to evaluate his future.
(Picture of Blake Wehunt courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)