One thing I really like about what Epstein's done with the Red Sox, is the collection of good, young power pitchers he's put together. In the bullpen there's Jonathan Papelbon (1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) and Manny Delcarmen (2.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP). Both strike out more than a batter an inning. Right now however, I want to take a moment to focus on the Red Sox rotation.
The heart of the Red Sox rotation, for the next three years at least, will likely by ace Josh Beckett. Beckett currently leads the league in wins (15) and is in the top ten in ERA (3.24), WHIP (1.11) and strikeouts (140). And in the current market, Josh Beckett is very reasonably priced, averaging an annual salary of less than $11 million a year through the year 2010. Josh Beckett will start game two of today's double header.
And another pitchers who figures to play a large role in future Red Sox rotations is 23-year-old Clay Buchholz. Buchholz is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He began the season at Double-A Portland where he lead his league in both ERA and strikeouts. He's since made six starts at the Triple-A level. In those starts he had an ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 1.02 while striking out 14.26 batters for every 9 innings of work. Clay Buchholz will make his major league debut in game one of today's double header.
And there is also Daisuke Matsuzaka of course. Matsuzka is signed through 2012, and he's currently 7th in the league in wins (12) and 4th in strikeouts (164).
From youngest to oldest, Clay Buchholz is 23, Daisuke Matsuzaka is 26 and Josh Beckett is 27. All three starters will be under contract with the Red Sox through at least 2010.
1 comment:
It was great to see Clay do his thing today. Very encouraging to see him come up and play that well. He's got a serious hammer. And Beckett was phenominal as always.
But my God... Gagne! GAGNE!!! What are we gonna do about Gagne?! Maybe now Tito finally realizes that we can't pitch Gagne is a tight spot. No way. No how.
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