Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello is finally back on the mound after a long break. Bello, who is just 22 years old, was full of life and potential when he debuted in 2019. After sustaining injuries in 2020, Bello is hopeful for a return to form during the current season. His journey back to the top has been long and arduous but he is excited to finally be playing again. The Red Sox have high hopes for this young pitcher and his ability to add value to the team.
Red Sox Pitcher Brayan Bello Is Back. For Now.
The Boston Red Sox have taken a gamble on their pitching staff, bringing up young arms from their minor league system to supplement their rotation. One such arm is Brayan Bello, a 21-year-old right-hander who made his Major League debut on August 18, 2021. While Bello has shown flashes of brilliance, the Red Sox are taking a cautious approach with his development.
Bello’s Rise Through the Minor Leagues
Bello was signed as an international free agent by the Red Sox in November 2017, and spent his first two seasons in the organization playing in the Dominican Summer League. In 2019, he made his way to the United States and played for the Red Sox’s Rookie League team in the Gulf Coast League. There, Bello went 4-4 with a 4.28 ERA, striking out 47 batters in 54 2/3 innings pitched.
Bello’s success didn’t go unnoticed, and he began the 2021 season with the Salem Red Sox, Boston’s High-A affiliate. In 14 starts, he compiled an impressive 2.91 ERA, striking out 91 batters in 74 innings pitched. His success earned him a promotion to Double-A Portland, where he continued to dominate. In six starts, Bello went 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA, striking out 47 batters in just 28 1/3 innings pitched.
Bello’s Major League Debut
With the Red Sox dealing with injuries in their starting rotation, Bello was called up to the Majors on August 18 to make his debut against the Minnesota Twins. He didn’t disappoint, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out four batters over five innings of work. Bello earned his first big league win, and the Red Sox were excited about his potential.
A Cautionary Approach
Despite Bello’s success, the Red Sox are taking a cautious approach with his development. He was optioned back to Double-A Portland after his debut, and has made two starts there, compiling a 3.09 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings pitched. While the Red Sox have stated that Bello will likely see more time in the Majors this season, they don’t want to rush his development.
“We view Brayan as a very important part of our future,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We want to make sure that we put him in the best position to succeed, and that we’re not rushing him along too quickly. He’s shown us a lot of potential, and we’re excited about his future with this organization.”
The Future for Bello
Bello’s future is bright, and he has shown the potential to be a valuable member of the Red Sox’s rotation in the years to come. However, the Red Sox will continue to monitor his development closely, making sure that he is ready for the challenges that come with being a Major League pitcher.
“We’re excited about Brayan’s potential,” Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said. “He has a great fastball and a lot of other pitches that can be effective. We just want to make sure that he’s ready for the challenge of facing Major League hitters on a regular basis.”
Conclusion
Brayan Bello is back in the minor leagues for now, but his future is bright. The Red Sox are taking a cautious approach with his development, wanting to make sure that he’s ready for the challenges that come with being a Major League pitcher. Bello has shown the potential to be a valuable member of the Red Sox’s rotation in the years to come, and fans are excited about his future with the team.
