Finishing in the cellar of the A.L. East division in 2020, the Boston Red Sox pitching staff certainly experienced their fair share of dismal performances throughout the year. Boston’s 5.58 ERA as a team last season trailed only the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies.
With LHP Chris Sale not being available for the start of the season due to Tommy-John surgery along with questions surrounding fellow LHP Eduardo Rodriguez after his battle with Covid-19 and myocarditis, there is no getting around the gaps that Boston needs to fill to be competitive in 2021.
As Boston will look to solidify their rotational needs while also addressing the holes in their bullpen, right-handed pitcher Chris Mazza represents a viable in-house option in either role.
Mazza’s 4.80 ERA in 9 appearances-6 of them starts- last year doesn’t necessarily reflect his ability. Although the right-hander’s ERA was inflated, he did manage a 98 ERA+ while showing the ability to strike men out.
“That’s usually one of my really good strengths, throwing strikes,” Mazza told WooSoxWatch.com. “I’m more focusing on fastball command which was a big thing that gave me some trouble last year,” he said.
Making his Major League debut with the New York Mets in 2019, Mazza was designated for assignment following the season’s conclusion after pitching in just 9 games before being claimed off of waivers by Boston.
Although Mazza’s sample size in the Major Leagues is minuscule, he plans on making adjustments to his game in 2021 in hopes of remaining on Boston’s 40-man roster.
“Mechanically I’m focused on maintaining a rhythm,” Mazza said. “I worked a lot out of the stretch this year but that was because my timing through my windup was all out of wack.”
While with his new team, Mazza was able to gain more perspective and knowledge of his own abilities. As the pitchers would set out for their pregame bullpen sessions, Mazza found himself often gravitating towards new teammates Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez.
“Nate and Martin,” Mazza said on if he received any tips from his new teammates. “I definitely picked their brains, it was tough because they’re two completely different pitchers compared to me.”
“You have Nate that throws 100 MPH, then Martin, a lefty with a really good changeup,” he continued. “I’ve been working on a changeup and I’m getting really comfortable with that. Grip-wise, Martin is actually one of the guys helping me with the pitch.”
Although he toyed with it during his final appearance in 2020 against the Atlanta Braves, this offseason Mazza officially added a changeup to an arsenal that already features a fastball, cutter, and slider.
His changeup will provide added value to an underwhelming group of Red Sox pitchers and might even put him in contention to begin the season in the rotation. If Mazza is able to execute his newfound pitch, the 31-year old’s value could prove indispensable for Boston as their season looms closer and their rotational needs remain unaddressed.
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