Tag: portland sea dogs

Red Sox prospect Blaze Jordan ‘expected to miss multiple weeks’ with fractured finger

Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan is “expected to miss multiple weeks” after fracturing his left ring finger over the weekend, the club’s director of player development Brian Abraham told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

Jordan suffered the injury in the first inning of Double-A Portland’s 10-7 loss to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field on Saturday afternoon. After drawing a two-out walk, the 21-year-old attempted to score from first on a Nick Yorke double. He was instead thrown out at home and fractured his finger while extending his left hand towards the plate.

Though he was taken out of the game and carted off the field, Jordan offered an optimistic take on the injury after the fact by tweeting “We’ll be back” with a heart emoji. He was placed on Portland’s 7-day injured list on Sunday but a more precise timetable for his return has not yet been revealed.

Jordan had been riding a 17-game hitting streak coming into play on Saturday, so this development certainly comes at an inopportune time. On the 2024 season as a whole, the right-handed hitter has batted .283/.342/.414 with seven doubles, two home runs, 16 RBIs, 12 runs scored, six walks, and 11 strikeouts in 26 games (111 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs.

Among qualified hitters in the Eastern League to this point in the year, Jordan boasts the lowest strikeout rate at 9.9 percent. He also ranks 17th in batting average, 37th in on-base percentage, 28th in slugging percentage, 33rd in OPS (.756), 21st in swinging-strike rate (9.9 percent), and 34th in wRC+ (116), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Jordan has unsurprisingly split time between first and third base with Portland this season. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder has made nine starts at the former and 14 starts at the latter, committing a total of three errors in 97 defensive chances. He has also started three games at designated hitter.

A former third-round draft selection coming out of DeSoto Central High School in 2020, Jordan is currently ranked by Baseball America as the No. 17 prospect in Boston’s farm system. The Mississippi native can become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time in his career later this year if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by the protection deadline in November.

(Picture of Blaze Jordan: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox to promote hard-throwing relief prospect Ryan Zeferjahn to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox are promoting relief prospect Ryan Zeferjahn from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.

Zeferjahn, 26, did not allow an earned run in seven appearances with Portland to begin the 2024 season. To go along with a 0.00 ERA and 0.73 FIP, the right-hander struck out 22 and walked only three over 13 2/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .176 batting average against. He also converted all three of his save opportunities.

Among 127 pitchers in the Eastern League who have accrued at least 10 innings to this point in the season, Zeferjahn ranks sixth in strikeouts per nine innings (14.49), 20th in walks per nine innings (1.98), fifth in strikeout rate (40.7 percent), 21st in walk rate (5.6 percent), 30th in batting average against, 16th in WHIP (0.88), 29th in swinging-strike rate (14.6 percent), first in ERA, second in FIP, and fifth in xFIP (1.76), per FanGraphs.

In a recent conversation with Smith, Zeferjahn revealed that he spent most of this past offseason working out at the JetBlue Park complex in Fort Myers and lost approximately eight to 10 pounds “by dieting and hitting the weight room hard”. He now stands at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds as a result of having “better weight” on him.

“I knew it was going to be a big year for me,” Zeferjahn explained. “I needed to show that I was putting in the work. And it’s starting to kind of pay off.

“I’m 26 now, which is not necessarily old for baseball but in the minor leagues, people think it’s old,” he continued. “But honestly, this is the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve kind of been hurt every year coming up and whatnot. Just knick-knack injuries that kind of set me back on what I really could show. This year, my body is in a better place. I’m going to show what I really have. I think I’ve done that. I know the work I’ve put in and the stuff I have. … Honestly, I’m not a prospect anymore. But I’m going to be there. I’m going to do my best to try to help the big-league club.”

Zeferjahn was originally selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft out of Kansas. The former Jayhawak signed with Boston for $500,000 and made his professional debut as a starter but has since transitioned to the bullpen on a full-time basis. He has struggled with his command in the past, evidenced by a 5.02 ERA (5.44 FIP) in 34 outings (43 innings) for Portland in 2023, but he made strides over the winter to address that.

“The focus for him was throwing strikes, being competitive in the zone,” Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham said of Zeferjahn when speaking with The Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo last month. “It’s only been a short amount of time this year but he’s done that.”

For his part, Zeferjahn told Smith that he has “bought into” the new pitching infrastructure laid out by Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and pitching coach Andrew Bailey. One of the many philosophies embedded within that infrastructure is to simply throw more strikes.

“I’m willing to try anything,” said Zeferjahn. “I really bought into Bailey and Breslow and what they’ve kind of brought in. It started from the top and they’re bringing it down. I bought in and it really has shown. I think that’s a big, big thing for my success — is buying in, experimenting with it, switching a few things, and then going from there.”

Zeferjahn is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 31 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 14th among pitchers in the organization. He operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a 97-98 mph four-seam fastball that has reached triple digits this year, an 84-88 mph sweeper, and a cutter that “plays like a slider.”

As it stands now, Zeferjahn is just one call away from reaching the major-leagues. With that being said, the hard-throwing righty can also become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter, so this promotion to Worcester should help in determining if he is worthy of a spot on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster before the year is over.

(Picture of Ryan Zeferjahn: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox pitching prospect Ryan Zeferjahn (0.00 ERA in April) off to strong start for Double-A Portland

Red Sox pitching prospect Ryan Zeferjahn put the finishing touches on a stellar month of April for Double-A Portland on Tuesday night.

Zeferjahn was the second reliever used by Sea Dogs manager Chad Epperson in Tuesday’s series opener against the Reading Fightin Phils at Hadlock Field. The 26-year-old took over for fellow right-hander Jonathan Brand to begin the top half of the seventh inning.

After fanning the first two batters he faced, Zeferjahn gave up a two-out single to Robert Moore, who went from first to third on a throwing error committed by third baseman Blaze Jordan. With runners on the corners and still one out to get, Zeferjahn escaped the jam by getting Trevor Schweke to fly out to Roman Anthony in center field.

Zeferjahn came back out for the eighth inning but made quick work of Reading this time around by retiring the side in order. Altogether, he needed just 27 pitches (21 strikes) to punch out four over two scoreless, one-hit frames of relief. He induced four swings-and-misses as the Sea Dogs bested the Fightin Phils by a final score of 9-3 to snap a three-game losing streak.

Following Tuesday’s performance, Zeferjahn is now 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0.57 FIP) and 19 strikeouts to two walks over six relief appearances (11 2/3 innings) for Portland this season. He has converted both of his save opportunities while holding opposing hitters to a .178 batting average against.

Among 99 pitchers in the Eastern League who entered Wednesday with at least 10 innings under their belts to this point in the year, Zeferjahn ranks third in strikeouts per nine innings (14.66), sixth in walks per nine innings (1.54), second in strikeout rate (40.4 percent), seventh in walk rate (4.3 percent), 22nd in batting average against, 11th in WHIP (0.86), 27th in swinging-strike rate (14.3 percent), first in ERA, second in FIP, and second in xFIP (1.55), per FanGraphs.

Zeferjahn is in the midst of his fourth full professional season after originally being selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft out of the University of Kansas. The former Jayhawak signed with Boston for $500,000 and made his pro debut as a starter but has since transitioned to the bullpen on a full-time basis.

Though he struggled to a 5.02 ERA (5.44 FIP) in 34 outings (43 innings) for Portland in 2023, Zeferjahn has been turning heads with improved results so far this year. As noted by The Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo, Zeferjahn was recently singled out by a Red Sox front office source “as someone who has raised eyebrows” thanks in part to a great offseason.

“The focus for him was throwing strikes, being competitive in the zone,” Brian Abraham, Boston’s director of player development, said of Zeferjahn. “It’s only been a short amount of time this year but he’s done that.”

Zeferjahn, who just turned 26 in February, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 46 prospect in the Red Sox’ farm system, which ranks 21st among pitchers in the organization. The 6-foot-5, 209-pound righty operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a high-90s fastball that can touch triple digits, a high-80s slider, a low-80s changeup, and a high-70s curveball.

Considering the fact that he can once again become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft at the end of the year, it would not be too surprising if Zeferjahn made the jump from Portland to Triple-A Worcester before long. A promotion to Worcester may help the Red Sox in determining if Zeferjahn is worthy of a spot on the 40-man roster this winter.

(Picture of Ryan Zeferjahn: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox promote relief prospect Caleb Bolden to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox have promoted relief prospect Caleb Bolden from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, according to the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Bolden has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024 season with Greenville. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed just two unearned runs on six hits and six walks to go along with 20 strikeouts over eight appearances (13 innings) for the Drive in which he has held opposing hitters to a .136 batting average against. He has also gone 3-for-3 in save opportunities.

Bolden was originally selected by the Red Sox in the seventh round of the 2022 amateur draft out of TCU. As a graduate transfer who previously spent four years at Arkansas, the Texas native received a modest $7,500 signing bonus from Boston and made his professional debut in the Florida Complex League.

Since then, Bolden has compiled a 3.84 ERA and 3.23 FIP with 104 strikeouts to 37 walks over 42 relief outings (72 2/3 innings) at three different minor-league levels. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound hurler throws from a three-quarters arm slot and incorporates a high leg kick into his delivery. He operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, an 80-82 mph sweeping slider, and an 83-85 mph changeup, per his SoxProspects.com scouting report.

Bolden, who does not turn 26 until December, is the second reliever from the Red Sox’ 2022 draft class to make the jump from Greenville to Portland in as many weeks. Fellow righty Jonathan Brand was promoted last Wednesday. Those two now help make up a Sea Dogs bullpen that already includes the likes of Alex Hoppe, Ryan Zeferjahn, Christopher Troye, and Felix Cepeda.

(Picture of Caleb Bolden: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox’ Robert Kwiatkowski earns win in Triple-A debut

Red Sox minor-league reliever Robert Kwiatkowski earned the winning decision in his debut for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday afternoon.

Kwiatkowski, who was promoted from Double-A Portland earlier Sunday morning, made his first appearance for the WooSox in the third inning of their series finale against the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field. The 26-year-old right-hander took over for starter Justin Hagenman, who had surrendered two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Kwiatkowski subdued the lone runner he inherited by getting the first batter he faced to ground into a force out at second base. He then fanned Mud Hens right fielder Bligh Madris on four pitches to record his first Triple-A strikeout and end the inning.

After his side jumped out to a 4-2 lead, Kwiatkowski worked his way around a leadoff walk in an otherwise clean bottom of the fourth. He gave up a hard-hit double to Jace Jung with one out in the fifth but escaped the frame unscathed by punching out Keston Hiura and getting Justice Bigbie to ground out to the rehabbing Vaughn Grissom at second base.

All told, Kwiatkowski allowed just the one hit and one walk across 2 2/3 scoreless frames of relief as Worcester went on to defeat Toledo by a final score of 8-5. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound hurler struck out three of the 10 batters he faced and induced six swings-and-misses on the 42 pitches (27 strikes) he threw. He averaged 93.4 mph and topped out at 94.3 mph with his four-seam fastball while mixing in a high-80s changeup, a low-80s slider and curveball, and a high-80s sinker, per Baseball Savant.

Kwiatkowski, who turns 27 in June, opened the 2024 season with Portland after spending nearly two months there last year. In his second stint with the Sea Dogs, he posted a 2.08 ERA and 3.67 FIP with eight strikeouts to two walks over five relief outings (8 2/3 innings) in which he held opposing hitters to a .175 batting average against.

In making his WooSox debut on Sunday, Kwiatkowski joined fellow righty Brian Van Belle as the only other undrafted free agent signed by the Red Sox in 2020 to make it as far as Triple-A. Of the 16 undrafted free agents Boston signed in the wake of the COVID-shortened draft that summer, Kwiatkowski, Van Belle, and Juan Montero (a catcher with Low-A Salem) are all who still remain in the organization.

A Georgia native, Kwiatkowski inked his first professional contract with the Red Sox after spending the final two years of his collegiate career at Marshall. As was the case for all undrafted free agents in 2020, Kwiatkowski received a modest $20,000 signing bonus. He made his pro debut in May 2021 and has since forged a 4.23 ERA (4.37 FIP) with 125 strikeouts to 59 walks over 101 appearances (four starts, 174 1/3 innings) across four minor-league levels.

(Picture of Robert Kwiatkowski: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox’ Blaze Jordan earns Eastern League Player of the Week honors

Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of April 22-28, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

This marks the second consecutive week where a Sea Dogs player earned Eastern League Player of the Week honors. Left fielder Matthew Lugo was recognized for a stellar series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Hadlock Field last week.

Jordan appeared in all six of Double-A Portland’s games against the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park this past week. The right-handed hitting 21-year-old went 12-for-27 (.444) with four doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs, five runs scored, zero walks, and two strikeouts.

Jordan crushed his first home run of the season and drove in a game-high four runs in Tuesday’s series opener. He then pushed across two more runs on Wednesday, had three hits on Thursday, homered again on Friday, and recorded four hits over the weekend to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

Over the life of that hitting streak, which began on April 19, Jordan has batted a stout .385/.390/.461. After getting his 2024 campaign off to a slow start, he is now slashing .265/.307/.441 with six doubles, two home runs, 13 runs driven in, 10 runs scored, one walk, and seven strikeouts in 17 games (75 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs.

Defensively, Jordan has split his playing time on the field between both corner infield spots. To this point in the year, the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder has logged 60 innings at first base and 68 1/3 innings at third base. He has committed one error at each position and has also made two starts as Portland’s designated hitter.

Jordan is in the midst of his fourth full professional season after originally being selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the COVID-shortened 2020 draft out of DeSoto Central High School in Mississippi. The Southaven native forwent his commitment to Mississippi State by signing with Boston for $1.75 million.

Though he dealt with — and was even hospitalized by — struggles relating to anxiety and depression early in his pro career, Jordan has worked to overcome those issues, as he revealed in a heartfelt social media post last October. After going public with that information, he strove to get in better shape over the winter and came into the spring ranked by Baseball America as the No. 21 prospect in the Red Sox’ farm system.

Jordan, who does not turn 22 until December, can become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time later this year if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by the protection deadline in November. Taking that — as well as the fact that he played in 49 games for Portland to close out last season — into consideration, it will be interesting to see if Jordan can make his way to Triple-A Worcester at some point in 2024.

(Picture of Blaze Jordan: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox promote relief prospect Jonathan Brand to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox have promoted relief prospect Jonathan Brand from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Brand, 24, has yet to allow an earned run in six appearances for Greenville this season. The right-hander has given up just one unearned run on eight hits and three walks to go along with 18 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings in which he has held opposing hitters to a .186 batting average against.

Brand was originally selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2022 amateur draft out of Miami University (Ohio). The Georgia native had committed to go to Auburn University as a graduate transfer, but he forwent that commitment by signing with Boston for just $7,500.

Since making his professional debut in the Florida Complex League in August 2022, Brand owns a career 1.90 ERA (2.90 FIP) in 37 total appearances (52 innings) across three different minor-league levels. That includes a 2.58 ERA (3.52 FIP) with 47 strikeouts to 14 walks in 29 relief outings (38 1/3 innings) for Low-A Salem last year.

Despite those impressive numbers, Brand is still not viewed as a top pitching prospect within Boston’s farm system. Per his SoxProspects.com scouting report, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound righty throws from a three-quarters arm slot and utilizes a medium leg kick in his delivery. He operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of an 89-90 mph fastball, a 74-76 mph curveball, an 80-82 mph slider, and an 80-82 mph changeup.

It remains to be seen if Brand’s first stint with Portland will be a short or long-lived one. Regardless, he takes the place of lefty Brendan Cellucci — who was promoted to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday — in the Sea Dogs’ bullpen.

(Picture of Jonathan Brand: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox’ Matthew Lugo named Eastern League Player of the Week

Red Sox prospect Matthew Lugo has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of April 15-21, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Lugo appeared in five of Double-A Portland’s six games against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Hadlock Field this past week. The right-handed hitting 22-year-old went 7-for-16 (.438) with three doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBIs, three runs scored, five walks, and four strikeouts.

Lugo played hero for the Sea Dogs on more than just one occasion during their latest series. He came through with a game-winning, three-run triple in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Fisher Cats, then drove in the first two runs of a 3-0 victory on Wednesday. He also homered and collected a game-high four RBIs on Saturday and doubled in a run on Sunday to extend his hitting streak to six games.

On the 2024 season as a whole, Lugo is now batting a stout .357/.471/.857 with three doubles, one triple, three homers, 12 runs driven in, five runs scored, six walks, and eight strikeouts through nine games (34 plate appearances) for Portland. He currently leads a talented Sea Dogs team in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS (1.328), and total bases with 24.

Lugo, who turns 23 next month, is repeating Double-A this year after struggling to a .242/.297/.381 slash line in 83 games (318 plate appearances) with the Sea Dogs in 2023. The former 2019 second-round draft selection out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico was regarded by SoxProspects.com as a top-15 prospect organization around this time last season but has since dropped from the site’s rankings completely.

The nephew of Beltran himself, Lugo initially came up as an infielder after signing with Boston for $1.1 million in June 2019. More recently, however, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has transitioned to the outfield. So far this season, he has made a team-leading eight starts in left field for the Sea Dogs and has yet to commit an error over 64 2/3 innings.

Given that this is the third straight season in which Lugo has appeared in at least one game for the Sea Dogs, it should be interesting to see if he can force his way up to Triple-A Worcester sooner rather than later. He certainly couldn’t ask for a better start this year, though.

(Picture of Matthew Lugo: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Top Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer off to strong start with Double-A Portland

After a winter full of skepticism, shortstop Marcelo Mayer is using the early stages of the minor-league season to show why he should still be considered the top prospect in the Red Sox organization.

To begin the 2024 campaign, Mayer has strung together a seven-game hitting streak for Double-A Portland. Following Sunday’s 9-5 win over the Reading Fightin Phils, the left-handed hitter is now 10-for-28 (.357) with one double, one home run, five RBIs, seven runs scored, two stolen bases, two walks, and eight strikeouts for the Sea Dogs.

On the other side of the ball, Mayer has seen all of his playing time on the field to this point in the season come at shortstop. The 6-foot-3, 188-pounder has logged a team-leading 50 innings at short thus far and has yet to commit an error.

Still just 21 years old, Mayer really couldn’t ask for a better start after what went down last season. The former fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft suffered a left shoulder impingement while with High-A Greenville early in the year and attempted to play through the discomfort. He managed to make it to Portland and represent the Red Sox at the All-Star Futures Game over the summer, but he struggled mightily at the plate before going on the injured list — and ultimately being shut down — in the first week of August.

Mayer received a pain-killing injection in September and spent his offseason rehabbing at home in Chula Vista, Calif., and at the Red Sox’ JetBlue Park complex in Fort Myers, Fla. He focused on building strength back up in that injured shoulder and was deemed a “full go” for Boston’s rookie development program in January.

Though he did not receive an invite to major-league spring training, Mayer got into two Grapefruit League games (as well as the Spring Breakout prospect showcase) and made his impact felt in other areas before breaking camp with Portland for the start of his third full professional season. As Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham recently told MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Mayer appears to be benefitting from the work he put in during the offseason.

“He worked incredibly hard throughout his progression in the offseason and spring training to prepare for the 2024 season,” said Abraham. “Whether that be rehab-related, strength-related, on-field performance-related, we saw a player working with an intent to be an impact player this season and moving forward. It’s been great to see him continue to mature both on and off the baseball field.”

Mayer, who does not turn 22 until December, is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as the No. 1 prospect in Boston’s farm system and the No. 15 prospect in all of baseball. If he continues to produce the way he has been to start the season, it will not be long until he garners consideration for a promotion to Triple-A Worcester. From there, the big-leagues are only one call away.

“Continue to become an improved all-around player,” Abraham said when asked about the organization’s developmental goals for Mayer this season. “Improve his range in the field and keep looking to impact the baseball. Have the continued ability to add good weight and strength. Offensively, it’s focusing on pitches within the zone he can do damage with. In simpler terms, increasing his walk percentage and decreasing his strikeout percentage will allow him to be a better overall hitter and maximize his potential.”

Mayer, for his part, explained his own mindset when speaking with WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford on the ‘Baseball Isn’t Boring’ podcast earlier this month. He did so while emphasizing that his shoulder felt great.

“I think I do feel close, but obviously I need to handle business here (in Double-A) first. I need to handle business in Triple-A. So there is still two levels to go,” Mayer said. “I feel close. I feel ready to go, excited for the new year. I’m ready to show myself and what I’m able to do. Again, I’m healthy.”

(Picture of Marcelo Mayer: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Angel Bastardo impresses in 2024 debut for Double-A Portland

The conditions were far from ideal, but Red Sox pitching prospect Angel Bastardo still impressed in his 2024 debut for Double-A Portland over the weekend.

Due to a snowstorm hitting southern Maine and blanketing Hadlock Field with snow on Thursday, Portland was forced to postpone its first two games of the season against the Hartford Yard Goats on Friday and Saturday. Thanks to diligent work from the team’s grounds crew, though, the Sea Dogs were able to celebrate Opening Day in front of a crowd of 6,074 on Sunday afternoon.

Bastardo, in turn, rose to the occasion. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed only one earned run on one hit and two walks to go along with three strikeouts over five solid innings of work. That lone run came in the top of the third after Rockies prospect Ryan Ritter drew a leadoff walk, stole two bases, and scored from third on an RBI groundout off the bat of Bladimir Restituyo.

That sequence of events gave the Yard Goats an early 1-0 lead, but Bastardo did not waver. He instead got through the rest of the third inning unscathed and went on to retire the final seven batters he faced before making way for reliever Theo Denlinger in the top half of the sixth.

Finishing with 67 pitches (44 strikes), Bastardo induced seven swings-and-misses. He was later charged with the tough-luck loss as the Sea Dogs fell to the Yard Goats by a final score of 1-0 after being held to just three hits as a team. As such, he is now 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA and 0.60 WHIP on the young season.

Bastardo, who turns 22 in June, is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 27 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks seventh among pitchers in the organization. The native Venezuelan originally signed with the Red Sox for just $35,000 as an international free agent coming out of the town of Moron in July 2018.

Bastardo first arrived in Portland last August after pitching to a 4.62 ERA (3.82 FIP) with 139 strikeouts to 46 walks over 21 starts (103 1/3 innings) for High-A Greenville. He then made three starts for the Sea Dogs before the 2023 campaign drew to a close, allowing a total of nine earned runs on 12 hits, nine walks, and 10 strikeouts across 16 frames in which he held opposing hitters to a .207 batting average against.

Unlike other intriguing pitching prospects in the system such as Wikelman Gonzalez and Luis Perales, Bastardo was not added to Boston’s 40-man roster in November despite being Rule 5-eligible. He was ultimately passed over in December’s Rule 5 Draft (meaning he could become eligible again this offseason) and now appears set for a key role in Portland’s starting rotation to begin the year.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Bastardo throws from a three-quarters arm slot and features a medium leg kick in his delivery. The righty operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a 93-95 mph fastball that tops out at 97 mph, an 84-88 mph changeup, an 81-84 mph curveball with 11-to-5 break, and an 85-88 mph slider, per his scouting reports from Baseball America and SoxProspects.com.

As is the case with most young arms in the organization, it will be interesting to see if Bastardo can benefit from the revamped pitching infrastructure the Red Sox have begun to implement under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. How he fares this year in regards to improving his command and control could impact how he is viewed (as a starter or future reliever) moving forward.

(Picture of Angel Bastardo: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)