Red Sox Prospect Stolmy Pimentel Eager for Opportunity to Make Significant Strides in 2011

Red Sox pitching prospect Stolmy Pimentel is just 20 years of age but in some ways can be classified as one of the veterans of the farm system.

He was signed out of the Dominican Republic at the age of 16 and has pitched four full seasons within the organization. However, even if you didn’t know all that and simply heard him speak about his aspirations, it’s evident he has his ducks in a row.

"I have it very clear what I want," Pimentel said Wednesday at the Red Sox Rookie Program workouts at Boston College. "My goal is to be in the big leagues because I love to play baseball and I’ve been working to help my family. That’s my goal, to be working hard so that I can show them that I can pitch in the big leagues. All I have to do is keep working hard."

A hard-working, goal-oriented family man.

Not only because of the fact that he turns 21 next month, the 2011 season figures to be the one where Pimentel takes another big step in his maturation process. While everything he did last year at Single-A Salem pleased the organization, the right-hander was really tested for the first time. There were a few rocky starts and a handful of others where he was forced to wiggle out of trouble repeatedly.

The results were a 9-11 record and an ERA of 4.06, not earth-shattering in the least. However, there was more than meets the eye, according to those whose job it is to monitor such growth.

"He went to Salem as a 20-year-old, went through that league the entire year, was really consistent," said Mike Hazen, the director of player development. "I know the numbers necessarily aren’t eye-popping but if you know that league at all with eight teams…If you play the same seven teams over and over and over again, that can be a challenge for a young kid when they know what he has and they know how to attack him.

"From start to finish last year we were really impressed with the way he handled himself."

Indeed, Pimentel, who has begun to fill out a 6-foot-3 frame, was 4-4 with a 3.28 ERA over his final nine starts, including two in which he lasted a season-high seven innings and two others in which he posted a season-high eight strikeouts.

With 73 career starts as a professional, he has become a guy that is relevant to the major league team, as evidenced by his invitation to the rookie program, which helps prepare minor leaguers who might be a year or so away from being ready for the bigs, even if it is just as a temporary replacement for an injured player.

Pimentel is noted for having a very good changeup. His maturing body is expected to allow him to gain velocity on his power pitches. Overall, he has been pleased with the progress.

"Every season I get much better, I’m getting more consistent," he said. "I think right now everything is going good because I’ve been working hard for that. I think I’m in a good position to keep working and get my goal to come through, to pitch in the big leagues."

If that call comes in the form of a fill-in for the bullpen, a la Felix Doubront last year, Pimentel is prepared. He is also confident that once the window opens, he will dive right through.

"I know they’re gonna give me that opportunity, and when they give me that opportunity I’m gonna take it," he said.

Sounds like a guy who knows what he wants.