Webster thankful for opportunity with Red Sox

Share

PAWTUCKET, R.I.Whatever Allen Webster goes on to accomplish in his Red Sox career, he will always be part of Red Sox lore, one of nine players in the blockbuster trade with the Dodgers in August that changed the immediate and possibly long-term fortunes of the team.

While all the repercussions and possibilities of that trade have yet to be realized, Webster is thankful for the opportunities it provided him.

It was exciting, he said. It was really cool finally getting to see my name go across ESPN. I thought that was shocking. But it was good. I think its going to be a really great opportunity for me. Just a better chance, more eyes getting to see me. And to trade for me they must have wanted me. So I think its going to be great.

Webster, who turns 23 on Feb. 10, was an 18th-round pick of the Dodgers out of McMichael High in Madison, NC, in 2008. He started last season by going 1-7 with a 5.24 ERA in his first 15 but then went 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA for an overall record of 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 27 games (22 starts) for Double-A Chattanooga before the trade.

After the trade he appeared in two games for Double-A Portland, posting a record of 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA, giving up eight earned runs in nine innings. In 130 23 combined innings pitched last season he allowed just two home runs (one each with Portland and Chattanooga). His home run rate of 0.1 per nine innings was fourth in all of minor league baseball. In five minor league seasons, he is 34-25 (3.43), in 110 games (84 starts). After the season, Baseball America ranked Webster the No. 4 prospect in the Sox system.

Weve only seen him for two starts but certainly the scouting reports before, said Red Sox director of player development Ben Crockett. Allen has great stuff. Hes got an above-average fastball that has heavy sink, capable of getting ground balls and swings and misses. I think thats the most compelling thing. But he also showed an above-average changeup when we saw him in Portland, and the beginnings of a solid major league slider. Having three pitches like that, the ability to pound the strike zone and get ground balls, theres a lot to like, particularly doing it as a 22-year-old in Double A last year.

Websters sinker has been compared to former Sox right-hander Derek Lowes, which Webster thinks is kind of crazy. But, it should give Sox fans a good point of reference.

Here is what one scout had to say about Webster:

Hes a pretty good looking pitcher, for me. I think hes going to pitch in the big leagues. I think hes got some upside to him. Probably right now, his fastball is good enough. He has a good change. The only thing when I saw him he was throwing two breaking balls and one of them was a little bit better than the other and I think hes got to can that extra breaking ball and just go with the one. Hes going to be pretty good, I think. Hes got a chance to be at least a third starter, and if everything goes his way he might be in that No. 2 starter category. Hes a lean lanky guy, got a good feel for pitching, stayed around the plate well, did all the things you want to see a young pitcher do.

Webster said it was mechanical issues that led to his subpar numbers in Portland.

Its something that I think well address in spring training, Crockett said. Obviously we have less of a history with him. Weve got a lot of video from the past. Weve tried to work with a little bit, but yeah its something that well come into spring training, see where he is. I know hes been working really hard at home and well make sure that hes on the right track and in a position to succeed.

Webster and the Sox have been able to get to know each other this offseason. Hes worked out at the spring training complex in Fort Myers and was part of the rookie development program in Boston earlier this month. He was in Pawtucket over the weekend for the PawSox hot stove events.

I think thats huge having some exposure to what its like, Crockett said. Weve seen him three times this offseason in evaluative settings where were doing physical work, strength and conditioning camps, and the rookie program. So hes gotten a chance to see a little bit of what we expect in the Red Sox system as well as I think what some of the extras are that come along with itbeing in the Greater Boston area, the media that goes along with it, and some of the charitable things too that we try to expose them to in the rookie program.

So I think that was absolutely a little bit of an adjustment when he got to Portland. But I think just talking to him in the rookie program hes feeling a lot more comfortable. Hes certainly someone thats had success at really high levels and has plenty of stuff to do that at the major league level. So I think having that little taste of the organization last year in games and now going into this season it should allow him to be a lot more comfortable and do what hes capable of doing.

Webster was added to the Sox 40-man roster in November. The Sox could have him start the season back in Portland or perhaps move him up to Triple-A Pawtucket. For now, hes not concerned about that.

You cant really predict stuff, he said. I just have to go to spring training and perform. To get here or anywhere else, I have to perform.

Contact Us