Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell knew John Lackey long before his days as ace of the Angels’ pitching staff.
Lackey was an outfielder and pitcher at Grayson County (Texas) Junior College when Farrell worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Oklahoma State. According to USA Today, Farrell tried to convince Lackey to join the OSU team but was unsuccessful.
“I think I was chasing somebody upstream,” Farrell told USA Today. “He was long past making a decision.”Lackey was drafted in the second round (68th) overall pick by the Anaheim Angels in the 1999 draft. He was thinking payday, not college.
Lackey has always been a great pitcher, but Farrell also recalls he was a decent outfielder with some pop at the plate. Would the Red Sox ever consider using his bat in the lineup?
“Not that I’m aware of,” Farrell said. “But he’s an exemplary pitcher. It’s great to have him on our roster after what we’ve seen of him from the other side of the field.”
Lackey has been working out at Fenway Park in preparation for spring training. Red Sox pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Fort Myers on Feb. 19.
