Reliever’s confidence brewing
Brewer tosses three perfect innings in intrasquad game
Colten Brewer’s confidence is growing, and so is the Red Sox’ confidence in the reliever’s ability to be a major contributor out of the bullpen this summer.
After impressing during spring training in Fort Myers before the shutdown, Brewer has picked up where he left off in Boston. The right-hander was the star of Thursday’s instrasquad game at Fenway Park, pitching three perfect innings that included a strikeout and seven ground ball outs.
“We liked a lot of what he did today and that’s what we saw in the first spring training,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. “His confidence has, for me, really improved. He’s attacking the hitters a lot more with his fastball. We know he’s got a great curveball. We know he’s got a great slider. Really impressed with what he’s doing.”
When the Red Sox name their 30-man roster for Opening Day, Brewer will likely be on it but it’s not exactly set in stone what his role will be. The Red Sox have three starters locked in and stretched out to five innings with
Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez and Ryan Weber, and for now, two spots for an opener with Eduardo Rodriguez’s return uncertain. Whoever opens those games, which Roenicke said will likely change through each turn in the rotation, the Red Sox will need quality length in the middle innings, which is where Brewer has the best shot of securing a role. Brewer never pitched more than 2M innings in any of his 58 appearances last season, but with the way he’s pitching right now, Roenicke feels comfortable with him as a guy who can eat valuable innings in this short 60-game sprint.
“I don’t know if he’d be the guy that would open the game or if he’d be the guy that would come in,” Roenicke said. “I feel really good with him coming in and giving us three, four innings.
“From spring training from the first time I saw him, he was way more aggressive just going at the zone,” Roenicke continued. “When we started games, going right at hitters, not being able to throw his fastball. He’s always had confidence in the slider and the curveball. We just see a more aggressive, more confident guy. We saw it the first go-round in Florida and we’re seeing the same thing now.”
Plawecki embracing role
One of the biggest strengths of this Red Sox team might be their depth at catcher. They have Christian Vazquez coming off a breakout 2019, Jonathan Lucroy looking strong in summer camp as he tries to resurrect his career, and then there’s Kevin Plawecki, who’s also looking good in camp with his new team.
It’s unclear how the playing time will shake out. Vazquez has some versatility, and Lucroy can play first base if needed. But it’s a good problem to have for the Red Sox, who will likely carry all three guys on to the 30-man roster.
“It’s been good,” Plawecki said. “With the experience that Jonathan has and Christian with this
pitching staff, there are definitely a lot of things I can pick their brains about. It’s always good to have depth, especially at the catching spot. Whoever is back there the main goal is to win that day, especially in this shortened season it’s even more of a focus. We have a good group of guys, not only those guys but the other guys, Juan (Centeno ), ( Jett) Bandy and (Connor
Wong). We’ve got a good group of
guys.”
Plawecki himself seems to be coming into his own. He went 3-for-3 in Thursday’s scrimmage and seems to be gaining comfort with the pitching staff, which he said he basically had to learn twice with the three-month shutdown. The veteran is ready for whatever role is needed.
“I really don’t know how it will play out but I just need to stay ready every day,” Plawecki said. “Whenever I’m in that lineup I’m going to do my best, try and perform to the best of my ability and get us a win.”
Workman’s struggles continue
Brandon Workman hasn’t looked sharp during summer camp and that continued Thursday, as he gave up two runs, one on an RBI double from Marco Hernandez and another when he threw a wild pitch. But Roenicke remains confident in his closer.
“I don’t want to say it’s never a concern but we know what he did last year,” Roenicke said. “We still think his stuff is good. He threw the ball well in the first camp we had in Florida. I don’t expect there to be anything different. It’s just right now, he’s missed location and right now our hitters are not missing anything when he misses. I always want him to do well but I know he’s going to be our closer and we’re very confident in what he’s going to do.”
Blaze signs deal
Blaze Jordan, the Red Sox’ thirdround draft pick, officially signed with the team on Thursday. The 17year-old slugger reportedly signed for $1.75 million, over $1 million more than his third-round slot value.
The Red Sox have now signed three of their four draft picks. Fifth-round pick Shane Drohan ,a pitcher out of Florida State, remains unsigned.