Red Sox Sign Southpaw After Stellar 2023 Campaign To Bolster Pitching Depth
New Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appears to have a clear plan early into the offseason -- continue to poach pitching talent from the loaded Seattle Mariners system.
Based on initial impressions, that seems like a plan that is going well.
The Red Sox signed left-handed reliever Jorge Benitez to a minor-league deal according to his Instagram post on Friday.
The 24-year-old hurler is coming off a highly impressive season in which he showed the potential to be an impact arm.
Benitez posted a 1.95 ERA with an 82-to-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .183 batting average against and a 1.33 WHIP in 64 2/3 innings between five outings for High-A Everett and 40 for Double-A Arkansas.
He will need to lower his walk rate considerably but the southpaw has swing-and-miss stuff and the makings of a high-leverage reliever down the line.
The move comes not long after Breslow made his first official trade, sending infielder Luis Urías to the Mariners in exchange for right-handed reliever Isaiah Campbell.
While Campbell projects to factor into the mix right away, Benitez appears to be more of a project. He'll likely spend the bulk of his season with Triple-A Worcester but if he can fine-tune his command and lower his walk rate, he'll be contributing to the Red Sox's bullpen in no time.
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