Who should start the year as the #5 starter?

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Agreed. Newcomb may get the next call, ahead of Criswell and Dobbins, but he'll have to be added to the 40, first, so maybe even that will not happen. They may be saving those 60 Day IL additions for 2-3 of our top prospects to be added, at some point.

Newcomb over Criswell? Fine. Newcomb over Fitts or Priester doesn't make sense at the moment. 

[Larry Cook]

8 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Agreed. Newcomb may get the next call, ahead of Criswell and Dobbins, but he'll have to be added to the 40, first, so maybe even that will not happen. They may be saving those 60 Day IL additions for 2-3 of our top prospects to be added, at some point.

Criswell seems perfect as the bullpen long man. 
 

[moonslav59]

9 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Newcomb over Criswell? Fine. Newcomb over Fitts or Priester doesn't make sense at the moment. 

That's how I see it. 

Kinda wonder if 2024 was a fluke for Criswell. His 1.1 fWAR in 99 IP is a higher fWAR per IP (.011) than ...

Crawford 1.9 in 183.2 IP (.010)

and pretty close to...

Bello 2.0 in 162.1 (.012)

Pivetta 2.0 in 145.2 (.014)

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Criswell seems perfect as the bullpen long man. 
 

Better than Chase Anderson that's for sure. Maybe they just leave him in WOO to keep him stretched out in case of more injuries. 

[mvp 78]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

That's how I see it. 

Kinda wonder if 2024 was a fluke for Criswell. His 1.1 fWAR in 99 IP is a higher fWAR per IP (.011) than ...

Hard to say if it was a fluke since his previous sample size is so low. His FIP was about the same as his ERA and xFIP was only slightly higher. Nothing jumps out as lucky when you look at his BABIP and HR/9 or compare his bb/9 and k/9 to previous years (including AAA appearances).

[Larry Cook]

I thought that last year, criswell threw less 4 seamers and stayed down more!!! 

He throws something that looks like a splitter, but it is really inconsistent. If he masters it, that is a nice two strike pitch that can get hitters out 

[moonslav59]

8 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Better than Chase Anderson that's for sure. Maybe they just leave him in WOO to keep him stretched out in case of more injuries. 

Agree. I think a lot of our Woo depth looks way better than it did, last March, even considering all the pitching injuries forcing 3-4 to be moved up the line.

[mvp 78]

15 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Agree. I think a lot of our Woo depth looks way better than it did, last March, even considering all the pitching injuries forcing 3-4 to be moved up the line.

Most of the org pitching was still high A/AA and now it's shifting towards AA/AAA. There had been a talent level gap at the higher MiLB levels of the org for a few years. We just had to be patient.

[moonslav59]

21 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Most of the org pitching was still high A/AA and now it's shifting towards AA/AAA. There had been a talent level gap at the higher MiLB levels of the org for a few years. We just had to be patient.

True. Bloom drafting a bunch of HS kids was part of the issue. The lull in IFA signings, in part due to penalties against the Sox, a few years back might not have helped, either.

That being said, here are our recent prospect grads:

'24: Slaten, Abreu, Rafaela, DHam, Sogard (Nice.)

'23: Casas, Bernardino, Kelly & Murphy (Not a great year)

'21-'22: Duran, Houick, Bello, Crawford, Whitlock, Wong & Wink (very nice 2 year stretch) 

[mvp 78]

Newcomb was NOT great yesterday. However, Bello starts tonight for WOO and Giolito starts tomorrow for WOO. No Sox game so you may want to check out Bello's start if you have the option. 

[Larry Cook]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Newcomb was NOT great yesterday. However, Bello starts tonight for WOO and Giolito starts tomorrow for WOO. No Sox game so you may want to check out Bello's start if you have the option. 

I know newcomb is to soft tosser, but i hope we do not rush bello back to Boston! 

[mvp 78]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Newcomb was NOT great yesterday. However, Bello starts tonight for WOO and Giolito starts tomorrow for WOO. No Sox game so you may want to check out Bello's start if you have the option. 

Bello pulled after 2.1 innings with bases loaded. Was supposed to go 3 innings or 50 pitches. He threw 47. Rough 3rd inning for him.

[mvp 78]

Dobbins came in and gave up a grand slam. 4ER for Bello.

[mvp 78]

 

[Larry Cook]

On 4/1/2025 at 7:47 PM, mvp 78 said:

Dobbins came in and gave up a grand slam. 4ER for Bello.

Dobbins threw a lot of meatballs Tuesday!!!