Yesterday, the Red Sox called up top pitching prospect Justin Masterson for the second time this season, and he did not disappoint. In his major league debut, Justin Masterson was called upon to start against the Los Angeles Angels and he pitched excellent (4 Ks/1 Earned Run/2 Hits/4 Walks/6.0 IP). Last night, Masterson went up against a Royals team that was no-hit the night before, and he pitched equally as dominant as he did in his first start (5 Ks/1 Earned Run/3 Hits/3 Walks/6.1 IP).
As a Red Sox fan, I’m hoping this kid can keep this up. However, he has never pitched above Double AA until his major league debut, so these brief spot starts may be just what he needs to develop. Prior to his first call up, in his first four starts this season in Double AA his numbers were pretty solid (1-0/23 Ks/0.95 ERA/1.00 WHIP/19.0 IP), but once he was sent down, they sort of came back down to Earth in his next four starts (0-3/14 Ks/7.46 ERA/1.76 WHIP/19.1 IP). His stats currently sit at (1-3/37 Ks/4.23 ERA/1.38 WHIP/38.1 IP) at Double AA Portland, but if you factor in the two Red Sox starts (2-3/46 Ks/3.55 ERA/1.28 WHIP/50.2 IP) he’s done an admirable job this season so far.
I’d love for the Sox to let him stay up and just show us what he can do, but their rotation is strong and it has several experienced arms in front of him that will be key for a stretch run. Overall, I really can’t see him staying up for too long or pitching very many games in the majors this season, but with a little grooming and the occasional big league game, this kid could develop into something special. Cheers to Justin Masterson, another young starter who is currently being developed in the Red Sox farm system.
