Garrett Whitlock is a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, who made his debut with the team in 2021. While he primarily serves as a starting pitcher for the Red Sox, there has been some confusion among fans and analysts about his role.
We will delve into Garrett Whitlock’s background, and his role in the Red Sox, and analyze whether he is a starter or not. Understanding his role is essential to gauge his impact on the team’s performance and how he fits into the Red Sox’s rotation.
Garrett Whitlock’s Background
Garrett Whitlock was born on June 11, 1996, in Snellville, Georgia, and attended the University of Alabama before being drafted by the New York Yankees in 2017. He began his professional career as a starter for the Yankees’ minor league system.
In 2019, Whitlock underwent Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the entire season. After his recovery, the Yankees decided to use him as a reliever, and he made his debut as a reliever in 2020.
During that season, Whitlock appeared in three games, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing just one earned run.
In December 2020, Whitlock was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft. While there were doubts about his ability to make the transition from reliever to starter, the Red Sox decided to give him a chance to start.
During spring training in 2021, Whitlock impressed the coaching staff with his performance, and he made the opening-day roster as a starting pitcher.
Overall, Whitlock has more experience as a starter in the minor leagues, but he made his major league debut as a reliever. However, he has shown versatility in his pitching abilities, which makes him a valuable asset to the Red Sox.
Garrett Whitlock’s Role in the Boston Red Sox
Garrett Whitlock’s role in the Boston Red Sox is primarily as a starting pitcher, although he has also appeared in relief in some games. During his rookie season in 2021, Whitlock appeared in 49 games, starting 14 of them, and he finished the season with a 5-5 record and a 3.48 ERA.
Whitlock’s performance during his rookie season was impressive, considering he was a Rule 5 draft pick and was not expected to play a significant role in the team. He quickly established himself as a reliable starter and a reliable option in the bullpen.
Whitlock’s ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and reliever made him an important player for the Red Sox.
He was often used in high-leverage situations, and he became one of the team’s most reliable pitchers throughout the season. His performance earned him the nomination for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Overall, Whitlock’s role in the Red Sox is crucial, and his versatility as a pitcher makes him an asset to the team.
It remains to be seen how his role will evolve in the upcoming season, but he is expected to continue to contribute significantly to the Red Sox’s pitching staff.
Is Garrett Whitlock a Starter?
Yes, Garrett Whitlock is a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. During his rookie season in 2021, Whitlock made 14 starts out of 49 total appearances.
Additionally, the Red Sox have stated that they plan to use him as a starter in the upcoming season, indicating that his role as a starting pitcher is secure.
In terms of statistics, Whitlock’s performance as a starter was impressive. He had a 4-4 record as a starter, with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.
He also struck out 64 batters in 65 innings pitched, while only walking 18 batters. These numbers compare favorably to other Red Sox starting pitchers, such as Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi.
While Whitlock’s sample size as a starter is relatively small, his performance suggests that he has the potential to be an effective starting pitcher in the majors.
His ability to induce ground balls and limit home runs, combined with his control and ability to miss bats, make him a well-rounded pitcher who can succeed in a variety of situations.
Overall, there is no doubt that Garrett Whitlock is a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, and his performance as a starter in 2021 indicates that he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the team’s rotation in the upcoming season and beyond.
The Impact of Whitlock’s Role as a Starter
Garrett Whitlock’s role as a starting pitcher has a significant impact on the Boston Red Sox’s rotation. With his ability to pitch effectively as a starter and a reliever, Whitlock provides the team with a great deal of flexibility.
He can be used as a spot starter or as a long reliever, allowing the team to manage the workload of their other starting pitchers and bullpen arms.
One potential benefit of having Whitlock as a starter is his ability to induce ground balls. He has a career ground ball rate of 51.9%, which is well above the league average.
This skill can be particularly valuable at Fenway Park, which has a relatively short left-field fence and can be unforgiving to pitchers who give up a lot of fly balls.
Another benefit of having Whitlock as a starter is his control. He has a career walk rate of just 2.3 per nine innings, which is among the best in the league.
This ability to limit free passes can help to keep his pitch count down and allow him to pitch deeper into games, which can be particularly important in a season where starting pitchers are being asked to shoulder a heavier workload.
One potential drawback of having Whitlock as a starter is his relative lack of experience at the major league level. While he pitched well in his rookie season, he still has a lot to prove over the long term. Additionally, his ability to pitch effectively as a starter over a full season remains to be seen.
Overall, Whitlock’s role as a starter provides the Red Sox with a lot of flexibility and options in terms of managing their pitching staff.
While there are potential benefits and drawbacks to having him in the rotation, his performance thus far suggests that he has the potential to be a valuable contributor for the team in the upcoming season and beyond.
Comparison of Pitching Statistics for Garrett Whitlock and Other Red Sox Starters
| Pitcher | ERA | WHIP | Strikeout Rate | Walk Rate | Ground Ball Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Whitlock | 3.25 | 1.16 | 23.7% | 6.6% | 51.9% |
| Eduardo Rodriguez | 4.75 | 1.37 | 24.0% | 8.1% | 45.7% |
| Nathan Eovaldi | 3.70 | 1.20 | 27.1% | 5.2% | 49.1% |
| Chris Sale | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tanner Houck | 1.78 | 0.94 | 26.4% | 8.3% | 47.4% |
Note: Pitching statistics are from the 2021 season and are based on each pitcher’s performance as a starter. Chris Sale did not pitch in the 2021 season due to injury, so his statistics are not included.
As the table shows, Garrett Whitlock had a lower ERA and WHIP than Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi in the 2021 season, although his strikeout rate was slightly lower than Eovaldi’s.
Whitlock also had a higher ground ball rate than any of the other Red Sox starters included in the table, which could be a valuable asset when pitching at Fenway Park. Tanner Houck, who had limited starts in the 2021 season, had the best ERA and WHIP of any Red Sox starter included in the table.
FAQs
How did Garrett Whitlock perform as a starter in the minor leagues?
Whitlock had a limited number of starts in the minor leagues due to injuries, but he performed well when given the opportunity. In 2019, he made five starts for the Tampa Tarpons, posting a 1.88 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 24 innings pitched.
What types of pitches does Garrett Whitlock throw?
Whitlock primarily throws a sinker, a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup. He also occasionally throws a curveball.
What is Garrett Whitlock’s injury history?
Whitlock has had some injury issues in the past, including Tommy John surgery in 2019. However, he has been relatively healthy since returning from the surgery and has not had any major injury concerns in recent years.
Will Garrett Whitlock be a full-time starter for the Red Sox in the upcoming season?
While the Red Sox have indicated that they plan to use Whitlock as a starter in the upcoming season, it is possible that he could be used in a hybrid role as both a starter and a reliever. The team has not yet announced their final plans for his usage.
What is Garrett Whitlock’s ceiling as a starting pitcher?
Whitlock’s performance in his rookie season suggests that he has the potential to be a solid mid-rotation starter in the majors. However, his relatively limited experience at the major league level means that there is still some uncertainty about his long-term potential.
Conclusion
Garrett Whitlock is indeed a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. His ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and a reliever makes him an invaluable asset to the team, and his performance in his rookie season suggests that he has the potential to be a top-tier starting pitcher in the majors.
Whitlock’s role as a starter provides the Red Sox with a great deal of flexibility, allowing them to manage the workload of their other starting pitchers and bullpen arms.
While there are potential benefits and drawbacks to having him in the rotation, his ability to induce ground balls and limit walks suggests that he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the team’s success.
Overall, Whitlock’s role as a starting pitcher is crucial to the Boston Red Sox’s pitching staff, and he is poised to play an important role in the team’s success in the upcoming season and beyond.
