Tag: jojo ingrassia

Who did Red Sox send to Tigers to complete Jahmai Jones trade?

On July 14, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Jahmai Jones from the Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later.

That trade was officially completed on Saturday, as Boston sent pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia to Detroit as the player to be named later, per announcements from both clubs.

Ingrassia was ranked by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 30 prospect. The 24-year-old left-hander had spent all of this season at High-A Greenville, posting a 3.27 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 22 walks over 13 appearances (11 starts) and 44 innings. Opposing hitters batted .195 against him.

Among 86 pitchers who entered play Saturday having thrown at least 40 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Ingrassia ranked third in swinging-strike rate (17.6%), seventh in xFIP (3.85), eighth in batting average against, FIP (3.45), and strikeout rate (33%), and 10th in ERA, strikeouts per nine, and WHIP (1.18), according to FanGraphs.

Ingrassia was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round (418th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He received a $150,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut with Low-A Salem the following April, ultimately earning 2024 Carolina League Post-Season All-Star honors after forging a 1.85 ERA with 93 strikeouts to 20 walks over 58 1/3 innings.

Ingrassia made the jump to Greenville in 2025 but was limited to just four appearances (17 innings) before being shut down with shoulder soreness. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, though he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts to nine walks over 10 innings for the Salt River Rafters.

Overall, Ingrassia owns a 2.56 ERA with 173 strikeouts to 46 walks across 38 career outings (23 starts) and 119 1/3 innings in the minors. In addition to missing time with shoulder soreness last season, he was sidelined for most of May with a left elbow strain. He has been hindered by rotator cuff issues in the past as well.

When healthy, though, Ingrassia has proven to be rather effective. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound southpaw features a deceptive delivery, allowing him to fool hitters regularly. He primarily operates with a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, a mid-80s changeup, and a low-80s slider.

Ingrassia, who just turned 24 on July 24, will report to the Tigers’ High-A affiliate in West Michigan. From there, he will likely be aiming for a promotion to Double-A Erie. He can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if he is not added to Detroit’s 40-man roster after the season ends.

(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia named 2024 Carolina League All-Star

Red Sox pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia has been named a 2024 Carolina League All-Star, Minor League Baseball announced on Wednesday.

Ingrassia, Boston’s 14th-round selection in the 2023 draft out of Cal State Fullerton, enjoyed a productive first full season in pro ball. The 22-year-old left-hander posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.97 FIP with 93 strikeouts to 20 walks in 21 appearances (12 starts) spanning 58 1/3 innings for Low-A Salem. Opposing hitters batted just .179 against him.

After exiting his final start before the MLB All-Star break early, Ingrassia was placed on Salem’s 7-day injured list with left elbow inflammation on July 18. He returned to the mound for the Red Sox on August 25 and closed out the year with three scoreless outings in which he struck out seven and walked three over five innings.

Among the 96 Carolina League pitchers who threw at least 50 innings this season, Ingrassia led in strikeouts per nine innings (14.35), strikeout rate (39.6 percent), swinging-strike rate (20.9 percent), and xFIP (1.94). He also ranked second in FIP, third in ERA, sixth in batting average against, ninth in WHIP (0.99) and groundball rate (52.2 percent), 37th in walks per nine innings (3.09), and 41st in walk rate (8.5 percent), per FanGraphs.

Ingrassia, who turned 22 in July, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 44 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 24th among pitchers in the organization. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound southpaw throws from a three-quarters arm slot and incorporates a medium-high leg kick into his deceptive, cross-bodied delivery. He operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a 90-92 mph fastball that has reached 93 mph, a 79-81 mph sweeping slider, and an 82-85 mph changeup.

As FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen noted earlier in the year, Ingrassia likely projects as a multi-inning reliever moving forward given his diminutive stature. If he were to remain with the Red Sox through the winter, Ingrassia would presumably make the jump to High-A Greenville to open the 2025 campaign.

(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Gary Streiffer/Flickr)

Red Sox pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia lands on Low-A Salem’s injured list with elbow inflammation

Red Sox pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia has been placed on Low-A Salem’s 7-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, according to the affiliate’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Ingrassia was removed in the fourth inning of his last start against the Down East Wood Ducks on the road at Grainger Stadium this past Sunday. The 21-year-old left-hander was charged with one unearned run on three hits, zero walks, and seven strikeouts across 3 2/3 innings of work.

In 18 appearances (nine starts) for Salem to begin his first full professional season, Ingrassia has posted a 2.03 ERA and 1.94 FIP with a staff-leading 86 strikeouts to 17 walks over 53 1/3 innings. Opponents have batted just .187 against him.

Ingrassia opened the 2024 campaign in Salem’s bullpen and forged a 2.00 ERA (1.27 FIP) with 35 strikeouts to five walks over nine relief appearances (18 innings). Since moving to the Red Sox’ rotation in mid-May, the lefty has pitched to a 2.24 ERA (2.28 FIP) with 51 strikeouts to 12 walks across 35 1/3 innings as a starter.

Among the 56 Carolina League pitchers who entered Friday having accrued at least 50 innings to this point in the year, Ingrassia led the group in strikeouts per nine innings (14.51), strikeout rate (40.4 percent), swinging-strike rate (21.8 percent), FIP, and xFIP (1.91). He also ranked third in ERA, fifth in batting average against, seventh in WHIP (0.99), eighth in groundball rate (50 percent), 17th in walks per nine innings (2.87), and 20th in walk rate (8 percent), per FanGraphs.

Ingrassia, who turns 22 next week, was selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round of last summer’s draft out of Cal State Fullerton. The California native spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at San Diego State before transferring and earning Second Team All-Big West honors with the Titans as a junior. He signed for $150,000 shortly after being drafted but did not make his professional debut until April.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Ingrassia was recently tabbed by FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen as the No. 37 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 15th among pitchers in the organization. Longenhagen described Ingrassia as a “crafty, diminutive” southpaw who “has a whippy arm stroke that helps him sell his fading mid-80s changeup.”

The Red Sox, Longenhagen notes, have altered Ingrassia’s delivery so that it is now more cross-bodied, which “has aided the effectiveness of [his] sweeping low-80s breaking ball, and he’s also had a [velocity] uptick into the low-90s. Because of the upshot angle of his fastball from his low-ish, cross-bodied slot, his heater plays up even though he doesn’t throw all that hard.”

Ingrassia, Longenhagen adds, “is still getting feel for what it’s like to attack hitters with his fastball at the letters (which he really didn’t do in college). Because of his lack of size, it’s more likely that he ends up being a long reliever in the Ryan Yarbrough mold, but Ingrassia has a starter’s repertoire and command and probably needs to be promoted to be tested.”

Prior to landing on Salem’s injured list, Ingrassia could have been viewed as a possible candidate to receive a promotion to High-A Greenville before the end of the season. Now, he will presumably be shut down from throwing in an effort to reduce the inflammation in his elbow before any next steps are taken.

(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Gary Streiffer/Flickr)

Red Sox select Cal State Fullerton closer Jojo Ingrassia with 14th-round pick in 2023 MLB Draft

The Red Sox have selected Cal State Fullerton left-hander Jojo Ingrassia with their 14th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft at No. 418 overall.

Ingrassia, who turns 21 later this month, spent the first two years of his collegiate career at San Diego State before transferring to Fullerton for his junior season.

Serving as the Titans’ closer this spring, Ingrassia posted a 2.42 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 51 strikeouts to 14 walks over 26 relief appearances (44 2/3 innings) in which he converted seven saves and earned 2023 All-Big West Second Team honors.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Ingrassia operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of an 89-92 mph fastball, a 79-81 mph slider, and an 82-85 mph changeup, per Perfect Game California.

A native of California himself, Ingrassia is the ninth pitcher to be drafted by Boston within the club’s first 16 picks. The 20-year-old hurler has the ability to return to Fullerton for his senior season, but the Red Sox can offer him up to $150,000 without it counting toward their bonus pool.

(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Katie Albertson/Cal State Fullerton Athletics)