Boston Red Sox Offseason Acquisition Gets First Crack to Help Rotation

Overall, the numbers in Triple-A have been impressive. Bennett has allowed just two earned runs on 12 hits across 21 innings; his 0.71 WHIP ranks second-lowest in the International League, minimum 20 innings.

Bennett won’t blow hitters away with great swing and miss stuff; his 23.1% whiff rate ranks in the 28th percentile, while his 23.5% strikeout rate falls firmly in the middle of the pack in the 51st percentile. However, he excels at limiting base runners and hard contact. His 3.8% walk rate is the lowest in the international league.

The 25-year-old Bennett was initially drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2022 draft and enters his major league debut as SoxProspects.com’s 10th-rated prospect in the Boston system. According to SoxProspects, Bennett is a “Potential backend starter. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter…High-floor prospect. Fastball and changeup are both major-league quality and come with elite extension and an advanced command-and-control profile. Checks a lot of boxes the Red Sox look for with his size, extension, and strike throwing, giving him a profile the Red Sox have been able to elevate in the past.“

Mike Burrows is slated to get the start for Houston. First pitch from Fenway Park set for 7:10 p.m. ET. The Red Sox are currently in last place in the American League East and are coming off a series loss against the Toronto Blue Jays.

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