6 Exciting Takeaways for Red Sox Fans After Spring Training Opener
By Ryan Bunton
6. First Look at Reliever Acquisitions
A pair of relief pitchers acquired this offseason made their Red Sox debuts on Saturday.
Cooper Criswell, signed by Boston to a one-year deal on Dec. 13, pitched two innings while allowing one run on two hits and striking out one Oriole batter. The 27-year-old right-hander spent his 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, recording a 5.37 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 7.4 K's per nine across 33 innings of work. Prior to Tampa Bay, Criswell appeared in two games for the Los Angeles Angels, one each in 2021 and 2022.
Isaiah Campbell, acquired from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Luis Arias on Nov. 17, worked around a walk and a hit to throw a scoreless fifth inning with one strikeout.
A former second-round pick out of the University of Arkansas, Campbell's impressive rookie season has led many to believe he could be a core piece of the Boston bullpen in 2024. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut in 2023 and posted a 4-1 record, a 2.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 10.4 K's per nine during his 28.2 innings of work.
Campbell is a big frame at 6'4", 230 pounds, and relies primarily on his fastball within his repertoire. It wasn't the cleanest inning for him, but it is still Feb. 24 and there is always something to be said for relievers that can work around baserunners.
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