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Physical Description:
Filled-out, mature frame. No remaining projection.
Mechanics: Starts on the third base side of the
rubber. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Inconsistent
mechanics and release point. Typically gets above-average
extension.
Fastball: 95-97 mph. Tops out
at 99 mph. Below-average command and control profile. Has bouts
of wildness where he struggles to locate and consistently land
his fastball in the strike zone, but pitch is overpowering when
he can control it and generates a lot of whiffs. Shows solid
life and bat-missing ability up in the zone. Potential plus
offering.
Slider: 82-85 mph. Shorter,
1-to-7 shape. Does not consistently get over it and snap it off,
but when he does, has shown the ability to land it in the zone
or bury it down-and-away when looking for a swinging strike.
Primary secondary pitch and uses it frequently, often as much or
more than his fastball. Potential average offering.
Cutter: 86-90 mph. Short, horizontal break. Was
once inconsistent, but he has become more comfortable throwing
it in 2024. Lacks the depth of his slider. Potential
fringe-average offering.
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Career Notes: Lengthy injury
history: broke his femur playing football in high school and had
knee surgery, fractured a vertebra as a senior lifting weights,
had Tommy John surgery as a freshman in college and a related
elbow scope during his second minor league season, and labrum
surgery during his third. While rehabbing in Fort Myers
following the shoulder surgery in 2015, was hit by a car while
on a bicycle and broke a bone in his back. Was suspended for 50
games in 2015 after testing positive for marijuana. Retired in
November 2017 and became a carpenter. Spent two-and-a-half years
installing ceilings before becoming a coach at a Washington
training facility in 2020, where he realized he could still
throw in the upper 90s without pain, leading him to attempt a
comeback. Threw an inning for a semi-pro team in Seattle and was
signed by the independent Chicago Dogs (managed at the time by
Butch Hobson) in 2021. Garnered interest from teams, but was
still under contract with the Twins and could not sign with
another organization until he was released. Was finally released
in 2022 and almost immediately signed with Arizona. Signed with
the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in February 2023.
Received his first major league call-up in April 2024.
Summation: Potential up-and-down depth relief
arm. Ceiling of a left-handed middle reliever. Has intriguing
raw stuff, but inconsistencies with command and control have
plagued him throughout his career. Needs to be efficient with
his pitches and not allow free passes given that he is a fly
ball-oriented pitcher. Has the raw stuff to miss bats at the
highest level when he is on. Unique career path that makes him
easy to root for. Has the type of velocity you cannot teach.
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