The Boston Red Sox are taking a chance on a once-promising pitching prospect.
The Red Sox signed left-hander Casey Crosby, according to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy. Crosby was ranked the No. 47 prospect in Major League Baseball before the 2010 season by Baseball America. He was ranked the league’s No. 32 prospect by Baseball Prospectus.
Crosby, who confirmed the deal to The Courier-News, was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Tigers in 2007. He spent seven seasons in the Tigers organization, but a series of injuries stalled his career and led to his departure.
“It felt a little weird being jobless,” Crosby told The Courier-News last week. “That was different. It was a great run, but one of those things.”
Crosby underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow within a year of being drafted, and he has since battled various ailments. The southpaw had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in August 2013. He also spent time on the disabled list last May because of shoulder soreness.
Crosby, who was released from Detroit’s 40-man roster in July before re-signing a minor league contract with the club, recently threw for scouts from several organizations, including the Red Sox, to show he’s fully healthy. The 26-year-old’s medical history raised red flags for other clubs, though, and Boston apparently is hoping it found a diamond in the rough.
Crosby’s best season in the Tigers system came in 2009, when he went 10-4 with a 2.41 ERA in 24 starts with Single-A West Michigan. He went 1-1 with a 9.49 ERA in three major league starts spanning 12 1/3 innings in 2012.
Crosby, of course, remains a long shot, as he’ll likely join the Red Sox’s minor league spring training camp. But according to Crosby, he’s finally pitching pain free with the help of some changes in his mechanics.
Boston also re-signed third baseman Mario Martinez, according to Eddy. Martinez spent most of 2014 with High-A Salem.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY SPORTS Images
