Red Sox Reportedly Converting Recently Acquired Hurler Into New Role
The Boston Red Sox have a fully revamped pitching development system from top to bottom after multiple marquee additions to the coaching staff.
With new leadership in place, there has been one trend that has been vocalized throughout the offseason. A hefty majority of hurlers are heading into the offseason as if they are starters, even those who seem poised for a bullpen role.
It caught many by surprise after the latest candidate to bulk up their workload came forward.
They want me to come to spring training prepared to be a starter,” (Cooper) Criswell told MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “Just because it’s easier if they want to move me into a bulk role out of the bullpen or even a reliever. Obviously it’s easier to transition from a starter to a reliever rather than a reliever to a starter. So I’m going to be geared up, ready for spring training to go as a starter.”
Criswell was Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s first big-league signing as the leader of baseball operations. The 27-year-old has a 5.97 ERA in 37 2/3 career innings but posted a much more serviceable 3.93 ERA in 84 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham last season.
Criswell joins Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski as players who have come out announcing that they’re gearing up to start.
As Criswell said, any player who is not sure exactly what his role is, should bulk up on innings. It makes complete sense why Boston is taking this approach due to the lack of certainty regarding the rotation.
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