KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On the day the Red Sox acquired Garrett Crochet from the White Sox in December, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow described the lefty as a “bonafide ace.” Through nine starts — including a stellar showing Saturday against the Royals, Crochet has been just that.
Crochet struck out nine and worked around seven hits (as well as just one walk) to allow a lone run in seven excellent innings at Kauffman Stadium. He threw his hardest pitch of the season, registering 98.5 mph with a seventh-inning offering to Jonathan India. And, in impressive fashion, became the second pitcher in Red Sox history to record 50+ strikeouts and a sub-2.00 ERA in his first nine starts with the club, joining Pedro Martinez. In 56 innings, Crochet has a 1.93 ERA and 65 Ks.
“Just being myself,” said Crochet, matter-of-factly. “I don’t think that’s any added pressure on me to be anyone other than who I am. If I just throw the ball, I think I can live up to that.”
Saturday’s outing was an important one in two different ways. One, Crochet felt at least a little bit like he had something to prove after an uneven Sunday showing against the Rangers in which he labored through five innings and showed diminished velocity. From a team perspective, the Sox needed Crochet to pitch deep into the game because they didn’t have much available bullpen-wise after using seven relievers Friday.
That Crochet went 108 pitches was no small thing.
“Those guys, they know what is needed,” said manager Alex Cora. “It takes probably 110 pitches. I think he did an amazing job pounding the strike zone. One walk in seven innings.
“You saw the punchouts. I think the action of his pitches were better than the last few starts. He gave us more than enough … That’s what he’s here for.”
Crochet’s outing got off to a rocky start as he allowed three hard-hit balls in the first inning and the Royals had runners on the corners with one out. But he reached back and needed just six pitches to strike out Mark Canha and Maikel Garcia, flashing 97.8 mph on the second strike to Garcia. From there, he was able to settle in nicely as the Red Sox built an early lead and won, 10-1.
“I see the swings. They were late,” said Cora. “There were swings and misses and he expanded with the breaking ball. He did a good job.”
Perhaps the most encouraging development was that Crochet’s fastball was the best it has been all season. After averaging just 94 mph with his four-seamer ranging from 93-95.7 mph last time out, he was throwing heat again Saturday. The lefty maxed averaged 96.7 mph — up a tick from his season average — and got nine whiffs on the heater, which he threw 53 times.
“I know my velo has been down but at the same time, it’s no surprise,” Crochet said. “That’s who I am. Sometimes, to throw harder, you have to throw harder. That’s the mentality I had walked in there today with.
“Directionally, I was very sound. Just had a couple cues, watching video, I picked up on, that made me feel like I was getting back to myself.”
Crochet punctuated his outing to finish off a shaky seventh with a boisterous celebration. After the Red Sox built up their lead to six runs on a three-run shot from shortstop Trevor Story, Crochet allowed two singles and issued his lone walk to load the bases. The game wasn’t necessarily in the balance, but it still meant something to Crochet to reach back and strike out reigning American League MVP runner-up Bobby Witt Jr. on a fastball that registered at 97.8 mph.
“In his first two at-bats, I felt like I had nothing for him,” Crochet said. “At the end of the game, it was like, ‘I’m gonna live and die by my best pitch. So I was excited.”
Team debuts sometimes aren’t smooth, especially after blockbuster offseason moves. But Crochet leads baseball in innings, is tied for fourth in the majors in strikeouts, and became just the third MLB pitcher to go at least seven innings in four separate outings so far this season.
“I was impressed before,” said Cora. “What is getting my attention is the preparation. He knows who’s next. It’s Friday against the Braves. He’ll be ready for them tomorrow. The preparation starts tomorrow, right away.”
