In recent weeks, the competition for the final spot in the rotation for the Red Sox appeared to be between Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, and Josh Winckowski. However, due to Lucas Giolito’s unforeseen right elbow issues, it seemed possible for two of the three contenders to secure a spot alongside Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, and Kutter Crawford.
Yet, in the past few days, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and Manager Alex Cora have introduced another name into the mix: Cooper Criswell. Despite being relatively unknown, Criswell now has an opportunity to earn a place in the rotation.
Criswell showcased his potential during a game at Hammond Stadium, impressively retiring the first six Twins batters he faced. This performance demonstrated his readiness to step up and contribute to the team’s pitching staff.
However, in the third inning, Criswell, with his unique three-quarters arm angle, found himself in a difficult situation that he couldn’t escape, resulting in Edouard Julien hitting a three-run homer.
Nevertheless, it would be unfair to judge Criswell solely based on that one misstep, especially considering that he is currently in the process of building up his stamina and endurance.
Criswell reflected on his performance, stating that he felt great in the first two innings, effectively locating all four of his pitches in any situation. However, he acknowledged that in the third inning, his command faltered, and he missed some spots, leading to the unfavorable outcome. Despite this, Criswell believes there are positives to take away from the game while recognizing areas for improvement.
When the Red Sox signed Criswell to a one-year, $1 million contract on December 12, it didn’t generate much attention or headlines. However, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the leaders of the team’s new pitching development system recognized Criswell’s potential to enhance his stuff and performance within their program.
Recent developments in the past few weeks have only strengthened the belief in Cooper Criswell’s potential.
According to Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, it would be unfair to say they overlooked Criswell, but they were not as familiar with him since he was not part of the team previously. However, they were aware of his exceptional ability to throw strikes consistently. There were initial questions about whether they could enhance his pitching repertoire, but Criswell has shown promising improvement in a short period. His stuff has slightly improved while maintaining his skill in shaping pitches effectively and consistently throwing strikes, which has impressed the team and earned him a spot in the conversation for the rotation.
At 27 years old, Criswell has only made 12 appearances in his career, with the majority (10) coming last season with the Rays. His Major League ERA stands at 5.97, while his Minor League ERA is 4.43 over 86 appearances. Despite these numbers, the Red Sox believe there is untapped potential in Criswell.
Manager Alex Cora has expressed confidence in Criswell even before the Lucas Giolito injury situation unfolded. The team has been discussing Criswell as a potential rotation candidate due to his unique pitching style, featuring a sinker-slider combination, with the slider being particularly impressive. Criswell is gaining confidence on the mound and has also seen an increase in velocity, further adding to his potential as a valuable asset for the team.
On Wednesday, Cooper Criswell did not showcase his best velocity, reaching a top speed of 89.3 mph. However, fluctuations in velocity during Spring Training are common, so it’s not a major concern.
What matters most is that Criswell feels he is adapting well to the revamped pitching program in Boston. He has been focusing on improving his cutter, and he believes it is taking the desired shape. Additionally, he has been working with pitching coach Andrew Bailey on a weighted ball program to enhance his velocity.
While Criswell may not possess overpowering velocity, he remains confident in his ability to succeed in an era where velocity is highly valued. He believes that having four pitches that he can throw for strikes at any point in the count keeps hitters guessing. While some prioritize velocity, others prioritize control, and Criswell sees value in having a mix of pitchers who can do a bit of everything.
Considering the composition of Boston’s pitching staff, it appears increasingly likely that Criswell will be part of the mix moving forward.
