Through his first two appearances, Bennett holds a 1-1 record over 8 innings pitched, striking out 9 batters while posting a 0.63 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA. Those numbers immediately stand out, but it’s the way he’s generating those results that makes him even more intriguing. Bennett works with a five-pitch mix that includes a sinker, changeup, curveball, four-seam fastball, and a cutter, giving him versatility and the ability to attack hitters in multiple ways.
His most recent outing was especially impressive, as he went 5 innings while allowing just 1 hit and 0 earned runs. He struck out 4 batters, walked one, and hit two, showing flashes of dominance while still working through minor command issues. Even so, holding opponents to just one hit across five scoreless innings is a strong indicator of his potential.
Bennett leaned heavily on his changeup in that outing, throwing it 20 times and landing 14 for strikes. The pitch was highly effective, generating three groundouts, a pop out, and two strikeouts. It has clearly become his go-to weapon and is a pitch that can translate well at the major league level, especially against right-handed hitters.
His sinker was the second-most used pitch, thrown 15 times with 11 strikes. It produced two groundouts, including a double play, showing his ability to induce weak contact and get out of tough situations. While he did allow a hit on the pitch, it remained effective overall.
The curveball also played a major role, thrown 13 times with eight strikes. It generated five outs, including two strikeouts, a fly out, and a line out. This gives him another swing-and-miss option and helps keep hitters off balance when paired with his changeup.
The four-seam fastball is still the pitch that needs the most development. He threw it 13 times, with only 5 going for strikes, showing inconsistent command. He was still able to record an out with it, but improving control of the fastball will be key as he moves forward. His cutter, used 10 times, adds another layer to his arsenal, even though it resulted in just one out in this outing.
What stands out most about Bennett is his ability to generate different types of outs. He can miss bats, force weak contact, and keep hitters guessing with his pitch mix, all traits that translate well to the next level.
With the Red Sox searching for consistency and needing more left-handed pitching, Bennett’s emergence comes at the right time. The bullpen currently lacks reliable left-handed options, which makes his potential role even more clear. Aroldis Chapman is currently handling closing duties, while Danny Coulombe has been used more situationally for just a few outs at a time. Because of that, Bennett could realistically project more as a multi-inning left-handed reliever rather than a full-time starter if he were to be called up this season.
Ranger Suárez has also struggled early in the season, and if those issues continue, it could open the door for roster changes. While Bennett has not yet been stretched out consistently for long outings at the Triple-A level, his efficiency, pitch mix, and ability to miss bats could make him a strong bullpen option in the near future.
If he continues to perform at this level, don’t be surprised if Jake Bennett finds himself wearing a Red Sox uniform by the middle of the season.
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