Boston Red Sox 2018 player grades: Ryan Brasier
The bullpen of the Boston Red Sox had their struggles in the 2018 regular season, but reliever Ryan Brasier was top notch after being called up mid-season.
Ryan Brasier helped stabilize the Boston Red Sox bullpen when everything else was going wrong with that aspect of the team. For that alone, the 31-year old should be awarded straight A’s.
By time the season was all said and done – with a World Series title in tow – Brasier turned out to be one of the most important players coming out of the ‘pen.
Called up from Pawtucket in July, Brasier was a lock down performer as a middle reliever. Boston was struggling in this department and Brasier quietly went about shutting down opposing hitters.
More from Boston Red Sox
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
- Mookie Betts Has Humble Outlook on Returning to Fenway
- Alex Cora Reveals What He Said to Cause NSFW Response from Justin Verlander
Things started spectacularly for Brasier in a Red Sox uniform. In his first 15 outings, Brasier tossed 16 innings while striking out 15 and allowing only eight hits.
His final regular season stats were pretty impressive. Brasier appeared in 34 games, tossing 33.2 innings in his appearances. He struck out 29, allowed 19 hits, 6 earned runs and had 10 holds. Brasier’s 1.60 ERA was tops on the team and he held opponents to a .171 batting average.
In the playoffs, Brasier was equally as impressive, at least in the first two rounds. He pitched 1.2 innings in the World Series, posting a 5.40 ERA as the Los Angeles Dodgers hit .429 against him.
Overall for the 2018 playoffs, Brasier made nine appearances. He allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run, struck out seven, and had a 1.04 ERA.
Future with the Boston Red Sox
Brasier will be back with the Red Sox in 2019 and there might be a chance he’ll be the team’s future closer.
Craig Kimbrel already turned down a qualifying offer from Boston. He could still come back to the team under a new contract, but the Sox could very well be looking at other candidates.
Zach Britton and Andrew Miller are both on the market and could fit in very well with the Red Sox. Miller has battled injuries the last few years. Signing him might run the risk of him not being the dominant reliever he once was.
If Kimbrel leaves and Boston doesn’t land a key closer in free agency, it’s possible Brasier could find himself in the closer role. He might even find himself with more of a role on the team if Joe Kelly decides to move on as well.
dark. Next. Boston Red Sox: Top 5 rookie seasons in team history
Brasier more than proved himself in 2018. The journey back from Tommy John surgery and being out of the major leagues for close to five seasons was a climb in and of itself. Brasier’s performance in 2018 was simply icing on the cake. Final grade: A