Red Sox's Alex Cora Names Prospect To Watch, 'He’s Gonna Help Us Win Games'
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The Boston Red Sox starting rotation has raised questions all offseason. The group is a mix of oft-injured veterans and inexperienced younger hurlers.
Fortunately, Red Sox manager Alex Cora is confident that help is on the way.
“At one point, (Bryan Mata) is gonna be part of this and he’s gonna help us to win a few games," Cora told MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Mata is the No. 6 prospect in the Red Sox organization according to MLB Pipeline. He's the top arm in the farm system and has lofty expectations after a dominant 2022 season in which he made the jump from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester.
The 23-year-old flamethrower returned from a successful Tommy John surgery last June and came out gunning. Mata reached 100 mph his first time facing live hitters since the surgery and proceeded to dominate the minor leagues last season.
The right-hander posted a 1.85 ERA with a 58-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .202 batting average against and 1.19 WHIP last season in 48 2/3 innings with Double-A Portland.
Mata was then promoted to Worcester, where he was still productive but his high walk rate finally caught up to him. He posted a 3.47 ERA with a 30-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .224 batting average against and 1.46 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings.
The top pitching prospect in the system has electric stuff -- featuring a high 90s fastball, slider, curveball and changeup -- and the potential to be elite.
Mata is on the fast track to the big leagues but he'll first need to get his command under control with Worcester.
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