Better late than never. There aren’t many reasons to watch the last couple of weeks of this lost Red Sox season, but Frank German is among them.
The #RedSox today selected RHP Franklin German to the active roster from Triple-A Worcester. To make room for German, the club designated C Kevin Plawecki for assignment.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 17, 2022
Let’s see what exactly Chaim Bloom saw in German when Bloom took on Adam Ottavino‘s contract from the Yankees to get him.
Red Sox’ Frank German Is Another Arm With Upside
Frank German, the Red Sox’ number 27 prospect according to soxprospects.com, was the true centerpiece of the Ottavino trade back in January of 2021.
After posting a 5.12 ERA over 24 games (18 starts) with Portland last season, he’s taken a step forward in his first season in the bullpen. Between Portland and Worcester in 2022, German posted a 2.72 ERA with 19 walks, 64 strikeouts, and a .90 WHIP and allowed two home runs over 49.2 innings.
Per his Sox Prospects scouting report, German throws a fastball, splitter, and slider. The fastball sits 95-97 mph, but increased after transitioning to the bullpen. It has the potential to be a plus pitch if his command improves. His splitter sits 84-86 mph, is an effective pitch vs. left-handed hitters and could be an above-average pitch with improved command. The slider (83-86 mph) varies in shape based on velocity. It’s his out-pitch vs. right-handed hitters, and he can sometimes bury it vs. lefties. But, again, command and consistency will determine the slider’s potential.
Frank German, charged with four runs in Saturday’s Red Sox loss to the Royals, is projected as a middle reliever with late-inning potential.
Red Sox Looking Toward Future
To make room for German, the Red Sox designated catcher Kevin Plawecki for assignment. Plawecki wasn’t in the Red Sox’ plans, particularly after trading Christian Vazquez at the deadline.
The originator of the laundry cart celebration, Plawecki wasn’t much of a defensive catcher despite his reputation as a game-caller. But he gave the Red Sox an excellent complement to Vazquez. Over three seasons with Boston, he hit .270/.333/.364/.697 with a 97 wRC+ over three seasons with Boston.
With Plawecki now gone, Boston can audition Reese McGuire and Connor Wong.
Wong is hitting .263/.364/.526/.890 in 11 games in September, with a couple of runners caught stealing.
McGuire has been a different player since coming over at the trade deadline. The left-handed hitter is batting .373/.411/.493/.903 in 25 games with Boston. He has thrown out 67 percent of base stealers in that time, as well.
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2 Comments
Hi Cody,
I just finished reading an article you wrote. It was followed by your bona fides, which I found admirable. (I,too grew up Red Sox-addicted and remain so). Thus, I’m looking forward to your response to a question about Christian Vazquez.
From late June thru late August, I got caught up with a couple of Red Sox/Facebook groups. When Vazquez was traded, a number of fans proclaimed that a majority of Sox pitchers preferred Plawecki’s game calling to his. This rather shocked me, and I would very much like to have your perceptions on this topic.
I’m 65 come November, and haven’t lived in New England since 2001, so I’m likely less informed than ‘the other people in the room’.
I look forward to your reply.
Hi, Lauren. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
As for your question about Christian Vazquez, yes, some Red Sox pitchers, particularly starters like Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha did prefer throwing to Plawecki. I was also surprised by that fact because Vazquez is a much better defensive catcher than Plawecki (no matter what Chaim Bloom thinks). Plawecki, despite his flaws defensively, does have a reputation as a good came caller. Plawecki last year at one point was catching more than Vazquez (though, admittedly, that was probably due more to poor performance than pitcher preference). That said, it has been mostly Eovaldi that pretty openly preferred throwing to Plawecki over Vazquez.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment.