Michael Gettys will begin his first full professional season as a pitcher with High-A Greenville, the team announced on Tuesday. Gettys is one of 19 pitchers on the Drive’s Opening Day roster.
Gettys, 26, originally came up as an outfielder in the Padres organization after being selected by San Diego in the second round of the 2014 amateur draft out of Gainesville (Ga.) High School.
Once a highly-touted prospect in the Padres’ farm system, the Georgia native became a free-agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season and signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox that November.
After getting some run at major-league camp the following spring, Gettys opened the 2021 season with Triple-A Worcester. The right-handed hitter saw playing time at all three outfield positions and batted .201/.271/.349 with five home runs and 14 RBIs through his first 46 games (166 plate appearances) for the WooSox.
Gettys’ last game with the WooSox came on August 1. He was placed on the development list three days later and was ultimately reassigned to the Sox’ rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate at the end of the month with the designation of pitcher conversion.
On Aug. 31, Gettys made his professional debut as a pitcher for the FCL Red Sox in their contest against the FCL Orioles Black in Fort Myers. The right-hander came on in relief in the fifth inning, walked one, and struck out another in a scoreless frame of work.
Taking home the winning decision in his pitching debut, Gettys made four more appearances for the FCL Red Sox to close out the season. He finished the year with a 3.60 ERA (7.15 FIP) to go along with five strikeouts and four walks over five innings pitched.
In early November, Gettys became a minor-league free-agent once more, though it did not take him long to land back on his feet considering the fact he officially re-signed with Boston on Nov. 17.
Following his first off-season and spring training as a full-fledged pitcher, Gettys wound up breaking camp with Greenville. The 6-foot-1, 217 pound hurler has always been known for his plus-plus arm strength, so his stuff very well could play out of the Drive bullpen.
Given the fact that he turns 27 in October and will undoubtedly be older for his level to start the season, it should be interesting to see if Gettys can work his way back up the Sox’ organizational ladder as a reliever.
This is not to say Gettys should be considered for a spot in Boston’s big-league bullpen this summer, but could he make his way back to Worcester before the 2022 season is over? That will be something worth paying attention to.
(Picture of Michael Gettys courtesy of the Worcester Red Sox)
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