News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.
The Red Sox are technically still alive, which, if you ask me, is one of the best ways to be alive. If they’re going to stay technically alive any longer, though, it would help if Jarren Duran pulls out of his tough September slump. And while it’s easy (and logical?) to point to fatigue as the reason for his slump, the underlying metrics show that neither his bat nor his legs have slowed down. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Speaking of speed, Quinn Priester has added some to his fastball since coming over to the Red Sox in a deadline deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s one of the main adjustments the Sox’s pitching lab has made with him so far, along with developing a cutter. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
If Craig Breslow can figure out a way to start developing pitchers the way the Sox have been developing hitters, then the franchise will really be cooking. As if it isn’t enough that the Sox have the number one prospect in baseball in Roman Anthony, they now also have the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year in Kristian Campbell. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
As things stand right now, Tanner Houck is the first starting pitching development success the Sox have had since the days of Jon Lester and Clay Buccholz (though you can toss Eduardo Rodriguez in there, too, if you want). Houck made his 30th start against the Blue Jays, which was a major personal milestone for him. (Gayle Troiani, NESN)
Houck’s outstanding season was enough to land him on one writer’s list of baseball’s top 20 breakout players of 2024. But, in taking the 20th spot on the list, he finds himself way below his teammate Jarren Duran, who took the number two spot. (Jim Bowden, The Athletic)