The Boston Red Sox’s new front office administration, headed by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, has prioritized pitching development in the team’s farm system and beyond.
Breslow added a new pitching coach, who’s helped the Red Sox’s starting rotation take MLB by storm early in the campaign, and he’s loaded the prospect pool with arms. One of his new acquisitions has shown out in his young Sox career.
The Red Sox acquired Bryce Bonnin after he was released by the Cincinnati Reds organization during spring training. Cincinnati selected the hurler in the third round of the 2020 MLB draft and his tenure with the club was riddled with injuries.
Bonnin was sidelined by a shoulder impingement that began in 2021 and the righty didn’t pitch professionally at all in 2023. When he attempted to make a rebound in the Reds organization, it didn’t pan out, and he was released.
Former Reds pitcher Bryce Bonnin is making waves for Red Sox High-A affiliate
Old #Reds friend, now #RedSox pitcher Bryce Bonnin in action for the Greenville Drive. Hadn't pitched in a game since 2022; released by CIN and signed by BOS in ST.
2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K today. Good to see #quadzilla back in action. Nasty FB/SL combo. pic.twitter.com/0YQDgizQAc
— Kyle Boddy (@drivelinekyle) April 28, 2024
Now that the Red Sox have snatched him up, Bonnin is making waves with the Greenville Drive. The 25-year-old started the 2024 campaign on the injured list, but he’s posted a zero ERA in three relief innings. He’s fanned three batters, walked one and gotten off to quite the start after not pitching for a year. According to RedsMinorLeagues, he’s touched 99 miles per hour on the radar gun.
The righty began his career as a starter in the Reds’ system, but the Red Sox seem to be transitioning him to a relief role. He started 11 games on three levels of the Reds’ organization in 2021 and five in High-A in 2022.
Bonnin is a quality addition to Boston’s farm, and his talent could advance him through the system quickly. If he can shake his previous injury woes, Bonnin could make a great depth arm for the Red Sox organization.
