Brock Beauchamp

This week, Nick is back and looking into some of the best performers in the organization for the month of June. Familiar names such as Franklin Arias, Anthony Eyanson, and Jake Bennett are talked about, while new names like Leighton Finley and Barrett Morgan of the Salem Red Sox are joined with slugger Jack Winnay as players to watch and be excited for after great Mays. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-talk-sox-podcast-244591331/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox

The Red Sox had a plan in mind when they entered the 2025 draft, and that was showcased by taking three talented pitchers within their first four picks. Phillips, who was selected by the team with their Competitive Balance pick that was acquired in the Quinn Priester deal, follows the blueprint of pitchers that Craig Breslow is after. Thanks to his size, power and athleticism, along with an aptitude that allowed him to improve significantly in college, Phillips has a chance to be something special with help from the Red Sox pitching lab. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Marcus Phillips also has great extension, which currently reaches 6.43 feet. His delivery also ends in a very low release height that, when paired with his stuff and extension, should lead to positive results on the mound. The right-hander pitched his sophomore and junior seasons for Tennessee; in the latter year, he made 17 starts as the team’s Saturday starter. He finished the season going 4-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 83 innings along with 98 strikeouts and 34 walks. Phillips works with three pitches: a fastball, slider and changeup. All three are rated positively by scouts, with most suggesting each should at least by average by the time he reaches the majors. The fastball averaged 96-99 mph in college and would occasionally reach 101 mph. Unfortunately, it plays below its velocity at times and his control is still a work in progress. The slider averaged between 84-88 mph in college, having more horizontal shape with a high spin rate. It's perhaps his most consistent pitch in terms of missing bats. His changeup is his weakest pitch but will be necessary to develop if he hopes to remain in the rotation. The pitch was thrown in the low-90s in college and can generate the most whiffs, but also is the one he struggles to control the most. Beyond that control, another area he may look to work on is adding a fourth pitch to his repertoire such as a cutter (a pitch the Red Sox have worked with many young pitchers on). Phillips could very well be a boom-or-bust prospect based on how his feel develops over the next few years. His delivery and inability to consistently throw strikes has made scouts wonder if the bullpen is where he is best suited, thanks to a fastball that could end up averaging 100 mph in shorter stints. Should Phillips reach his potential and improve upon his strike-throwing ability, he could end up as a middle-of-the-rotation arm. Where Phillips opens the 2026 season is up in the air. While it’s likely he could begin the season with High-A Greenville, there’s also the possibility that the organization chooses to send him to Low-A Salem to work on a few things before getting a May promotion to the next level. Though, with his stuff, there’s a chance he finishes the season at Double-A regardless of where he opens the year.

Alex and Maddie sit down and crack a cold one. They recap the surprising dub over the Guardians and preview the upcoming Orioles’ series. They review Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet’s setbacks in their respective injury recoveries. Finally, they dissect Tim Healy’s revealing article on Craig Breslow's tenure with the Red Sox. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-talk-sox-podcast-244591331/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox

Bennett came over from the Washington Nationals in a rare, one-for-one, prospect-for-prospect trade during the offseason. Headed back to the Nats was highly touted RHP Luis Perales, so Bennett has some big shoes to fill. So far, he’s doing just that. As of this writing, he’s appeared in one spring training game for the Red Sox and he looked absolutely dominant during that outing. His fastball was up to 98 mph, faster than he’s previously thrown. He has the size, extension, and control that Andrew Bailey loves in a starter and should be a contributor in Worcester from Opening Day. Expect him to remain in the rotation there, but you could see him as a late season call-up to add depth to the bullpen too.

Alex and Maddie sit down and discuss the fleeting joy of the Red Sox’s sweep of the Royals and then the immediate whiplash after the team got dunked on by the Twins. They review how the lackluster offense at Fenway isn’t instilling much hope (Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela are excluded here). They break down potential trade scenarios for a right-handed bat (the options are limited) and discuss what an Aroldis Chapman trade would look like with the Padres. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-talk-sox-podcast-244591331/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox