It's really, really early. But the sight of Garrett Richards pitching Monday should offer a reminder of what might be -- one way or another.
Richards makes his Red Sox debut, going up against the Braves at JetBlue Park. And while it will be just for a couple of innings, the stuff, the spin rate, the velocity and the mustache will all offer a glimpse into one of the key elements of this year's team.
"It's been good," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora of Richards. "This is a guy that throughout his career his stuff, it always plays. Obviously he's been hurt and I do believe last year it was actually perfect for him, right? Short season, he got his repetitions, his stuff was outstanding. We feel very good about him just taking off. Very similar to Nate's career, right, as far as the injures and the potential. We're trying to help him out to take that next step. Stuff wise, he's one of the best in the big leagues. Analytics-wise or with your eyes. Harnessing his stuff in the strike zone will be good for us and that's what we're trying to accomplish."
Richards is entering the spring training home opener on somewhat of an exhibition season run, having not allowed an earned run over his 10 innings (3 starts) with the Padres before things got shut down last March. During that stretch, the righty struck out 11 while giving up 10 hits.
It marks the first time Richards has pitched against the Braves since 2014 -- either in spring training or the regular season -- having thrown six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts.
Also of note from Monday's lineup is the introduction J.D. Martinez.
While a player like Martinez will typically ease into the regular season, the designated hitter is under the spring training microscope more than ever before due to a .213 batting average and .680 OPS over his 54 games in 2020.
In Spring Training 1.0 last year, Martinez managed three home runs in Grapefruit League action, making the first time in his first three seasons with the Red Sox that he hit a home run in the exhibition season.
Other items of note in regards to the lineup:
- Christian Arroyo just a chance to show his versatility, moving over to play shortstop. It also allows to see how comfortable Marwin Gonzalez is at second base.
- Bobby Dalbec is manning the position he came up at, third base, presenting the option of giving Rafael Devers some time off on occasion.
"We have to keep the versatility there," Cora said. "He’s a good defender at third base. He’s a good defender at first base. Raffy is going to need off days. We might put him there. We’ve got Marwin. We’ve got Enrique. We’ve got Christian. So we have alternatives, but whenever I have a chance, especially here in spring training, for him to play third base, he will play third base."
- We get a look at prospect Jeisson Rosario, the speedy outfielder that came over from San Diego in the trade for Mitch Moreland.
