The Crimson Sox have some open rotation alternatives and one stunning title is rising as a candidate. Supervisor Álex Cora tells Christopher Smith of MassLive that left-hander Sean Newcomb is “within the hunt” for a beginning gig to start the season.
Since camp opened, the Sox have misplaced three rotation choices to accidents. Every of Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are slated to begin the season on the injured checklist. Crawford has proper knee soreness, Bello proper shoulder soreness and Giolito left hamstring tightness. That leaves the Sox with Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck and Walker Buehler in three spots, however with two openings to begin the season. They might go together with guys already on the roster, equivalent to Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts or Cooper Criswell, however it appears there’s additionally an opportunity they with Newcomb, who’s in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Newcomb, 32 in June, was as soon as a viable huge league starter. He tossed 264 innings for Atlanta in 2017 and 2018, beginning 49 of his 50 appearances. In that point, he had a 4.06 earned run common. His 12% stroll fee was on the excessive facet however he struck out 23.3% of opponents and bought grounders at a 43.6% clip.
Since then, his outcomes have backed up. His management issues worsened, which has pushed him into spending extra time within the bullpen, however with out improved outcomes. From 2019 to the current, he has 167 huge league innings pitched with a 5.23 ERA and 13% stroll fee. However in camp up to now, he has tossed 9 2/3 innings over 4 appearances with a 0.93 ERA, 27% strikeout fee and eight.1% stroll fee. That led him to accept a minor league cope with Boston this winter.
There’s no actual urgency to pick Newcomb’s contract, with Smith relaying that the lefty doesn’t have an opt-out in his minor league deal. However every of Crawford, Bello and Giolito may return pretty early within the season, so the Sox may want him now greater than they may because the season progresses.
Nonetheless, the Massachusetts native may find yourself going to Triple-A Worcester if the Sox go together with guys like Priester or Fitts to begin the yr, however he’s okay with that. “If it means going there to remain prepared kind of factor, that’s fantastic,” he tells Smith. “It’s in Mass. So I’ll be capable to be residence both approach. That’s sort of a plus. However clearly the purpose is to be up there.”
The Sox additionally must decide about second base, as they don’t have any outlined starter there. Per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Cora mentioned the spot is a contest between David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom and Kristian Campbell, with Cora talking fondly of Hamilton and his athleticism. Hamilton has hit simply .235/.298/.373 in his profession up to now however has 35 steals in 40 makes an attempt.
Campbell is properly referred to as one of many prime prospects within the league. He’s solely 22 years outdated, turning 23 in June, and has solely 19 Triple-A video games beneath his belt. Cracking the large leagues is definitely possible however sending him again to Worcester for extra reps can also be justifiable. He got here into at the moment with a line of .152/.263/.182 in spring, not precisely kicking the door down. He did go 1-3 with a stroll at the moment, but additionally struck out twice.
Smith wrote about at the moment’s efficiency, noting that Campbell made a number of spectacular defensive performs. That had beforehand been a problem, with few balls hit to him up to now this spring, making it exhausting for determination makers to judge his glovework. “It appears like he’s getting comfy. Put swing after which the stroll,” Cora mentioned of Campbell’s efficiency at the moment. “That was good. However I believe defensively, at the moment was the primary day I used to be in a position to see it. We discuss it, too. And (he) bought a number of probabilities. Even late within the sport, it’s 12-3 or no matter it was. And he made two good performs. That tells you who he’s and the defender he’s.”
The Sox open the season on Thursday subsequent week towards the Rangers in Arlington. That offers them a few week to make their closing roster choices. Neither Newcomb nor Campbell are on the 40-man roster, so corresponding strikes can be required in the event that they make the reduce.
