As fans, “Who won the trade?” is a popular topic of discussion. It’s a fun debate that often has no objectively correct answer.
More often than not, a trade can’t be accurately scored until months or even years down the line. In the case of the Boston Red Sox’s blockbuster Rafael Devers trade, it’s far too early to say, but the results are starting to materialize.
Devers played his first game at first base for the San Francisco Giants yesterday. The new first baseman looked the part of a competent one, though he didn’t get much action in the field.
A major piece of the return for Devers was left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison. Harrison has been with Triple-A Worcester since arriving in the Red Sox organization, as he tries to fine-tune his arsenal to reach his potential.
On Tuesday, Harrison took the mound for the Worcester Red Sox against the St. Paul Saints and put in his best outing of the season: six innings, three hits, two runs (one earned), while striking out five and walking one.
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Most notably, his off-speed pitches performed the best they have in his time with Worcester. His slider and slurve each returned strike rates over 60%, while his changeup showed a new shape and generated three swings and misses.
Harrison has always had an excellent fastball, but he’s needed pitches in his arsenal to support it. The hard slider appears to be a pitch he can use to earn additional strikes against right-handed hitters, while the improved changeup can be a putaway pitch.
It’s only one start, and Harrison will need to show consistency before he’s called up to Boston, but his outing on Tuesday was a huge step in the right direction. The lefty could figure into the Red Sox’s rotation plans down the stretch.
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Featured image via Jim Rassol/Imagn Images
