I hope I'm wrong but I'm not convinced they won't send Bello back to Worcester to make room for Paxton.
He did a much better job of throwing strikes early in the count after the first inning. Also, I need to check but it felt like he was much more affective in the top of the zone with the four seam. His four seam and sinker really played well off of each other.
Probably going out on a limb at this point, but Sale has been looking good (not great vintage Sale) enough to pair with Bello as a combo good enough to carry a team with the bullpen and offense into the playoffs. Sale's season-long health has been questionable even before his extension so the rotation still has a lot of "ifs". BUT IF the back end of the rotation (I'm still guessing Paxton, Kluber and Pivetta) can couple up with Houck, Whitlock and Crawford on a regular basis with Winchowski staying even close to as successful as he's been in his role... I think it turns out to be a very strong staff that could go far in the playoffs.
Bringing this back to Bello specifically, this is a super interesting time for the team. They can yo-yo Bello because he has options and in the short term that makes sense. But as they get closer to the playoffs, the urgency to have TOP END starting surpasses the depth approach in effect now. As you say, Bello-Sale-?? (possibly Paxton based on past performance?) plus a deep if not star-studded lineup is a threat.
Josh Jung is the current betting favorite for AL ROY, followed by Yoshida. It's too bad we wouldn't qualify for the extra draft pick if Yoshida wins - even if it makes sense.
Thanks for sharing especially for the non twitter people. He is already so much fun to watch pitch, and whether the cutter takes (please please) or not, it’s a great sign that he’s still grinding.
It sucks for his counting stats but I wonder if the lack of run support has actually been a development positive for Bello. He knows he has to basically be perfect and I think it’s helped him to stay locked in and execute. But it sure would be nice for the team to actually help him out for once.
In some way perhaps it has been or at least it hasn't seemed to affect him. On the exterior he's shown the poise and ability to just go about his business despite the lack of support, remaining focused on what he's able to control.
Plenty of time for that. I'd definitely wait to see him go a full season. The league will adjust to him and then I'd like to see him adjust back.
I was thinking about an extension after last night’s game, too. What would it look like? Something close to Hunter Greene’s?
I think this is a good point. AL east is likely to be tough at least for a couple of more years. I'd like to see him face these division rivals another time or two.
Greene also made 24 starts last season vs just 11 for Bello, but I certainly hope that the Sox are starting the framework of for an extension that they can agree to once the season is over.
Bello has been a little bit lucky, so I expect at least some regression as 2023 goes on (his perphs are more like a mid-high 3s ERA type guy right now), but I don't think he's going to get thrown off too much by the league adjusting to him. He throws filthy sinking fastballs and has an elite ground ball rate up there with guys like Framber Valdez. The league can only do so much when your pitches force a bunch of worm-burners and you have good command....and Bello has both.
Perhaps Bello has had a little bit of defensive luck, compared to the average. But more likely FIP only calculates what would "normally" happen on a ground ball, so adjusts to a normal BABIP when calculating FIP. Bello isn't giving up normal ground balls, where some are bouncers and others are rockets. He's giving up a disproportionate number of soft bouncers that are easy even for our guys to field and get outs on. FIP doesn't understand that.
To be successful with a high GB rate with this team's defense is quite an accomplishment.
Man... I don't want to poop on anyone's poop... but watching Duran develop completely beyond anyone's expectations has been pretty exciting for me. Yeah... Bello is definitely the gold-star on the team this season and definitely the most exciting thing.... but I'd add Casas (slow and cumbersome development) and Wong, along with Verdugo turning into an all around good player as other things to focus on. Hell... Crawford has been a great story so far too. Mr. Brightside is an apt nickname there...
No respect for Crawford? He's been a helluva surprise too. I get that there's a lot of distrust with him as a long term potential starter due to struggling last season, not ever having a kickass minor league career prior, and starting off in the bullpen this season. But I've really liked what I've seen of him since his move to the rotation. I'll also add that he looked really good his first 4 starts in '22 but apparently there was some shoulder problem that he pitched through and it clearly affected his numbers.
Oh very fair point - no disrespect to Duran, Crawford and Wong (not sold at all on Casas) … just Bello legit seems like he’ll be a superstar and that’s so exciting.
I'd even add Verdugo to the list. We've only got him for [EDIT] 1.5 more years, but he's really stepped up this season and unlocked that All-Star potential that he had when we first acquired him. This year, among all RF, he's 10th in wRC+, 9th in wOBA, and 7th in fWAR. He's also 2nd in UZR and Defensive Runs Saved. Aside from the stats, it seems like he's become a leader in the clubhouse, which is incredibly valuable for the young guys. Bello has obviously been electric, but Verdugo is the guy who's growth I'm most excited about this year. I hope the Sox offer him an extension.
