Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy looking to Mickey Gasper for bulk of playing time at catcher
CLEVELAND — Among the unforeseen developments in this wacky Red Sox season: Mickey Gasper is having a moment.
A series of improbable events that began with Roman Anthony hurting his right hand/wrist on a random swing has resulted in Gasper catapulting, at least for now, into the role of No. 1 catcher.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said Saturday before the middle game of a series against the Guardians that Gasper is his top choice when the Sox face a righthanded pitcher — i.e. most of the time.
Tracy was clear: Given the state of the Red Sox, he has to ride with the hot hand. Do whatever helps that day.
“We’re looking to be aggressive,” Tracy said. “That doesn’t mean as you move along things can’t change. Injuries happen or guys go in slumps. You don’t know. But right now, it’s hard not to put his name in there.”
Gasper was behind the plate for three of four games heading into Saturday (when Connor Wong caught Sonny Gray and hit against Guardians lefthander Parker Messick).
After another multi-hit game Friday, Gasper was batting .340 with a .380 on-base percentage and .404 slugging mark. His .784 OPS was higher than anybody else on the team, regardless of sample size, other than first baseman Willson Contreras (.896).
When the Red Sox reclaimed Gasper, a 30-year-old New Hampshire native, off waivers from the Nationals in February, he looked like the third-string-at-best option behind Carlos Narváez and Wong.
Then he had a strong start to the season with Triple-A Worcester, including when Tracy was that affiliate’s manager. When Anthony went down, the Red Sox decided to call up not an outfielder, but a lefthanded hitter.
Gasper is a switch hitter but a natural lefty at the plate. Upon returning to the majors, he focused his pregame work on the left side, knowing what his role would be.
“Playing for anybody for an extended period of time [helps] — the familiarity, knowing what you bring to the table,” Gasper said. “Any of the coaches that I got a full camp with under my belt know how I play and have seen me, how I work.”
Read more Legacy not half bad, but Current pull out win before NWSL break on Temwa Chawinga’s 69th-minute goal
At first, the Sox mixed him in at DH, then first base, all the while helping him get acclimated with the pitching staff.
With minimal time in the majors, Gasper has learned the hard way, he said, not to play general manager in his head about when he’ll play or where he stands in the organization.
“You get to the point where no matter how much you dwell and you complain to yourself, it doesn’t do any good,” Gasper said. “If my job is to be ready to go off the bench, that’s my job for the day. So I have to prepare in that fashion. So now it’s just: You’re out there playing and doing your part to help the team win.”
Wong started Saturday for just the fourth time in 19 games.
“[Narváez and Wong] understand what’s going on, particularly when you watch the quality of those at-bats and what Mickey’s doing. He’s also done a nice job behind the plate,” Tracy said. “It’s fairly obvious what’s happening.”
Kahnle watch
Veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle intends to exercise his opt-out clause Monday if the Red Sox don’t add him to the major league roster, a league source said.
Kahnle, 36, is riding a 14-inning scoreless streak with Worcester, including recent appearances on back-to-back days and three times in four days — a test of availability that he had not faced since early May.
Overall, he has a 1.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP since signing a minor league deal with the Sox late in spring training.
“You know he’s capable and he’s throwing the ball well down there, so I know there’s dates coming,” Tracy said. “In our front office, we’re always aware of that. Well aware of who he is, what he’s done, and his performance down there.”
In addition to his signature changeup, Kahnle has been throwing a harder slider, rarely used in years past, Tracy said.
Post Comment