4 Red Sox Prospects Primed for Promotions This Year
By Ryan Bunton
2. Richard Fitts
The only member of this list not drafted by Boston, Fitts was acquired in Dec. 2023 by the Red Sox as part of the return from the New York Yankees in exchange for Alex Verdugo. Fitts, 24, was originally a sixth-round pick in 2021 by the Yankees out of Auburn.
Fitts was ranked most recently as the no. 9 prospect in the Sox organization but hasn't lit it up in Triple-A. In 82.2 innings, Fitts has a 5-5 record with a 4.90 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, and 8.1 strikeouts per inning.
Richard Fitts was dealin'!
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) May 30, 2024
The 24-year-old righty struck out 7 in 7 IP as he set down his first 21 batters in order. pic.twitter.com/earqHwNHTc
Boston's bullpen has been at the center of the team's struggles coming out of the All-Star break. Although the Red Sox did address the bullpen with a few moves at the trade deadline, Alex Cora has struggled to find reliable arms to get outs in later innings.
Fitts was widely expected to earn a call-up by the end of the 2024 season. That might be put on hold as the trajectory has regressed due to a lackluster season.
But with the big league bullpen in shambles and musical chairs coming out of the pen, there's a path for Fitts to make his MLB debut before the season concludes.