With Opening Day 18 days away, outfielder Trayce Thompson is making a strong case to break camp and head with the team to Texas.
Thompson leads all of baseball with five homers this spring, which includes the grand slam he hit on Saturday afternoon that led the Sox to an eight-run rally late in the game. Boston ended up losing to the Twins 9-8.
The Calif. native has been red hot at the plate and is one of three Red Sox hitters in the top six for OPS (1.636) this spring. Alex Bregman (1.542 OPS) and Trevor Story (1.405 OPS) rank fifth and sixth, respectively.
The odds that Thompson could even be in the conversation for a spot on the Opening Day roster looked slim when he signed a minor-league pact early in February. Thompson is doing everything he can to impress the Sox’ decision-makers with his play.
Boston is reportedly looking for additional right-handed hitters, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Thompson fills that need, and with Gold Glove right fielder Wilyer Abreu behind on baseball activities with a GI issue, he’s the leader in the clubhouse to make the team.
Nate Eaton is making his case, and one reason he could get a spot on the Opening Day roster is because he owns two minor league options, giving the Sox roster control. Thompson is out of minor league options; with the lack of Major League-ready outfielders at the upper levels, Eaton’s value outweighs the Sox’ hottest hitter in camp.
Red Sox fans shouldn't sleep on the idea of Nick Sogard making the big league roster. He's been delivering at the plate, hitting .360 with two homers and owns a 1.128 OPS. Boston lacks depth behind Triston Casas at first base; Sogard has been working out at the position, along with Romy Gonzalez.
Winckowski's horrendous spring continues
As the Red Sox added pitching depth the last two seasons under Craig Breslow, one pitcher seemingly began to slide down the depth chart.
Josh Winckowski hasn’t clicked under pitching coach Andrew Bailey. This spring he’s looked putrid on the mound, allowing 10 earned runs through five frames in his first four appearances. He’s allowed 11 hits, five walks, and two homers over that span. It’s looking like he’s punched his ticket to be back with the WooSox to begin the year, unless he can salvage the spring and look more like the high-leverage arm from two years ago.
Forgotten Red Sox pitching prospect pitching with a ‘little chip’ on his shoulder
There’s a forgotten pitcher at Red Sox camp this spring who is opening eyes amongst the pitching evaluators in the organization.
Lefty Shane Drohan has looked impressive both physically and on the mound with the Red Sox. Drohan has pitched in one game, earning the win, tossing two frames while striking out three batters. He’s also been working hard in the backfields, ramping up for the start of the Triple-A season.
WooSox pitching coach Dan DeLucia has taken notice of Drohan and has been impressed with the lefty since the start of camp.
“Dro did a great job this offseason, getting stronger, right?” said DeLucia while on the “To the Show” Baseball Podcast last week. “And really, you know, just the work ethic, right?
“He was in a tough spot at the end of the year last year. I don't know if he felt like his back was against the wall maybe this year, but I mean, he put the work in. He physically looks better, bigger, and stronger.
“The shoulder strength is back to where he wants it, and as a result, he's throwing right now at 95 mph, sitting at 94 mph, where he struggled to even get close to that last year at certain times.”
Drohan returned to the Red Sox organization last June after the White Sox designated him for assignment. Chicago initially selected the lefty hurler during the Rule 5 draft the previous offseason and couldn't keep him on their 40-man roster. Prior to the start of the regular season last year, Drohan underwent nerve decompression surgery in his throwing shoulder.
A healthy Drohan offers the Red Sox different possibilities this season.The lefty can start, pitch in a bulk-innings role, and in relief. The Florida native could emerge into a role similar to what Zach Penrod gave the Sox last summer, moving from the rotation to the bullpen.
More Sox' notes and camp cut
Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers is preparing to play in his first spring training game early next week, according to Cora. The slugger will play on either Tuesday against the Phillies or Wednesday against the Twins at JetBlue Park. Devers is expected to serve as the team’s designated hitter for both games.
Roman Anthony lost 10-12 pounds while he was sick and his skipper wants him to focus on eating to put that weight back on. Justin Slaten is now dealing with whatever is going around Sox' camp and will be out for a few days. Triston Casas remains away from the team dealing with the same bug.
Brayan Bello has thrown a few bullpens but no live batting practices. He’ll likely need to throw around two to three live BPs before the team will consider having him pitch in a game. It’s increasingly likely he will begin the season on the injured list.
Boston announced their first round of spring roster cuts this weekend, optioning right-handed pitcher Luis Perales and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia to minor league camp. The Red Sox also reassigned pitchers Jovani Morán, Robert Stock, Yovanny Cruz, Brian Van Belle, and Jacob Belle to minor league camp.
Perales, one of the Red Sox' top pitching prospects, is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Perales had a 2.94 ERA in nine starts between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland before getting hurt last year. Garcia, who is in his first camp with Boston, was added to their 40-man roster this offseason and is expected to begin the 2025 season with the Portland Sea Dogs.
Around the AL East
The atmosphere out of Yankees camp the last couple of days has been bleak. News broke on Friday that ace right-hander Gerrit Cole underwent an MRI on his right elbow. Cole said that he’s “concerned” about his elbow and is “hoping for the best.”
A year ago, Cole was diagnosed with elbow nerve inflammation and edema after making his first start of the spring, and the injury sidelined him until June. He later returned to the Bronx Bombers, making 17 regular season starts and pitching in the playoffs.
If Cole winds up needing season-ending elbow surgery, it will be a dagger in the heart for a team coming off a World Series appearance last season and who lost Juan Soto to the Mets. New York has one starter down: Rookie of the Year award winner Luis Gil is hampered with a high-grade lat strain, which is expected to keep the right-hander out at least through midseason. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton could go under the knife to fix his injured elbows, which would wash away his season.
Orioles left-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez is going to start the season on the injured list due to left elbow inflammation. The southpaw received a cortisone shot to deal with the issue and will be shut down from throwing for 7-10 days.
Baltimore’s rotation took a massive hit when ace Corbin Burnes left in free agency and signed with the Diamondbacks. The O’s did add arms in free agency, but nothing to the level of Burnes’ talent. With Rodriguez out, Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Dean Kremer will carry the load for a team loaded with young offensive superstars hoping to make a deep postseason run.