Prospects For the Red Sox PItching Woes/Injuries

The injuries to under-performing starters John Lackey (2-5/8.01/19) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-3/5.30/26) have really taken a toll on the Red Sox pitching staff. The replacements of Alfredo Aceves and Tim Wakefield seemed to be working very well until the past series against the Chicago White Sox, 8 runs in 5 innings and 4 runs in 6 innings, respectively. I have gone into the Red Sox farm system and looked for starters who have been performing well this year, and I came up with three names.

Andrew Miller (right) was a top prospect, and the Tigers' #1 pick in the draft in 2006. The Red Sox acquired him in a trade with the Marlins in return for Dustin Richardson. He fills the need for a left-handed starter or long reliever, as he has started 9 of 10 games for the Pawtucket Red Sox this year. So far in Pawtucket, he has gone 22/2.47/39 in 47 1/3 innings down with Pawtucket. Despite great success in

the minors, however, he has not been able to translate his success into the major leagues, as in 2010 he went 1-5/8.54/28, with hitters batting .372 off of him. While he does have some control problems (34 walks), the Red Sox organization has done wonders with him and he may be due for a promotion.

Kyle Weiland (left) has been fairly consistent in the minor leagues through his career. Weiland was the Red Sox' 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft, and he has been pretty good since. So far, in 10 starts in 2011, Weiland has gone 4-4/3.46/57 in 52 innings. Last year in AA Portland, he went 5-9/4.42/120, his highest ERA since being drafted. He is only 24, but he may well be mature enough to earn a callup at least by the end of the season, and make his major league debut, due to his consistency and clear skill at the minor league level.

The third and final name is Matt Fox (right), who has acted as a swingman for the PawSox this year, making 7 starts in 13 outings. He has been very successful in those 13 outings, however, going 4-2/2.73/48 in 52 2/3 innings in Pawtucket. Fox came into the league being drafted in 2004 by the Minnesota Twins. Fox stayed with the Twins until September of last year, when he was released, and the Red Sox claimed him off waivers. His major league totals are 0-0/4.91/0 in 7 1/3 innings split between the Twins and Red Sox. I think he may be due for a callup if things keep going like they are. It would please me greatly to see any one of these names on the Red Sox roster before long.