Cora views Whitlock as starter
But manager says team must be ‘smart about it’
He’s dominating with only two pitches, but star rookie Garrett Whitlock could end up in the Red Sox starting rotation.
Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that the organization believes the Rule 5 pick will be a starter in the future.
“This guy is important for us right now, but he’s important for the future, and we see him as a starter for the future,” Cora said. “Right now, obviously he’s coming out of the bullpen. We will try to find a spot that we can stretch him out, maybe go two or three innings just like Matt (Andriese) did (Saturday).”
Whitlock has made three appearances this year of 3.1 innings, two innings and one inning. He’s allowed no runs on three hits and no walks. He’s struck out nine.
Somehow he’s been able to induce one of the best chase rates and whiff rates in the majors this year. And he’s done it all while largely throwing just two pitches: a sinker and a changeup.
Cora said the team hasn’t yet discussed when Whitlock might switch to the rotation. He’s been a dominant piece of the bullpen early on, but hasn’t been used a lot.
“Obviously we have to be smart about it,” Cora said. “We have to be disciplined.”
Manager’s impact
With a lot of the same players the Red Sox had last year, when they went just 24-36 and finished in last place, Cora is getting a lot of attention for his work turning this group around.
Asked about his impact on Sunday, Cora didn’t take much credit, instead noting that former manager Ron Roenicke did a good job last year.
“My last game was in 2011, so I don’t make errors, I don’t make plays, I don’t hit, I don’t make a difference on the field,” Cora said. “I just try to do my thing in the clubhouse, keep them loose and keep them positive, and deal with the other stuff. Try to keep the noise away from them. If it’s going to be loud, just keep it in this office. Dealing with the media and just talking about the team.
“But it’s all about them. You see the emotion and the way they’re playing, it’s fun to watch. It’s a fun team to watch. You see the highlights and how they pull for each other and they wave at each other. All that. It’s refreshing to play with that intensity and that emotion in this city. I hope people are buying into the concept and they’re enjoying the team, because it’s a fun group.”
With another chance to manage a doubleheader, Cora said he’s loving the new seven-inning format.
“I love it,” he said. “I like it. I loved it last year as a fan. And I like it as a manager. It brings a sense of urgency from the get-go. You saw how (White Sox manager Tony La Russa) managed Dallas Keuchel in the sixth inning. The way we managed the game, trying to be aggressive to get the right matchups early on or late enough. I like it. I think it’s good for baseball. For the fans, it’s interesting. The sense of urgency is a lot different than a nine-inning game.”
Houck enjoys time in Worcester
Tanner Houck was impressive again during his brief call-up from Triple-A, but made a point to say how much fun he’s having at the alternate site in Worcester, where Polar Park is set to host its first game on May 11.
“Worcester’s amazing,” Houck said. “I’m still getting to learn the town. I’m really excited for whenever we can have fans there. The stadium looks great, and if anybody can get out there and go check out a game, I highly recommend it. It’s a great group of guys down there that are great friends of mine, and I think they’re going to have a great team. So, I’m excited for the Opening Day there, and I hope to see all the fans there as well.”
Houck also had some thoughts on the way baseball is trending and if pitchers who keep the ball on the ground will be more en vogue this season.
“I think it’s definitely trending that way,” he said. “I think the high fastball was a very successful pitch a few years ago, and now I think it’s going to go back to more of a game where you’ve got to go high, low, in, out. You’ve really got to change eye level, but also work in and out.
“So, for me being a sinkerball pitcher, that was one thing I remember when I first got drafted was, ‘hey, we’re going to implement a four-seam to help play off that two-seam. You’ve got one that’s diving down and in to righties, and you’ve got one that’s riding up.’ So, I think as the game progresses, I think you’ll see more people doing both if they’re able to throw a good two-seamer or if they’re able to truly ride the ball up. But I think the game will be shifted toward maybe more of a sinker-ball era with the baseballs that we have now.”