The Boston Red Sox pitching staff has been one of the wort in the league this season. On Tuesday, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski took the first step toward changing that. Former Major League pitcher Brian Bannister, who saw MLB service time with the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals over four professional seasons, has been added to the coaching staff to help pitching coach Carl Willis for the remainder of the season.
Red Sox Add Brian Bannister to Coaching Staff
Bannister’s new job will have him in uniform, like the rest of the coaches, and working with the pitchers prior to games. However, MLB rules bar him from watching games from the dugout. He’ll have to either watch from the stands or on a TV in the clubhouse.
Bannister, 35, enjoys a reputation as an expert in statistical analysis and in breaking down pitching mechanics. He currently serves as the team’s director of pitching analytics and development.
A History of Success
Bannister has had multiple successes already when it comes to turning around the careers of pitchers. Last season, he suggested that Rich Hill focus more on his curveball. The results landed the 36-year-old Hill a $6 million contract with the Oakland Athletics, for whom he is having the best statistical season of his career. Several contenders, such as the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, are scouting Hill as a trade candidate.
Red Sox starter Sean O’Sullivan also owes his current position with the team to his work with Bannister. O’Sullivan, 28, became Boston’s go-to pitching prospect for spot starts this season, and now will take over for Clay Buchholz as a full-time member of the rotation. Buchholz will be moved back to the bullpen, where he experienced a moderate amount of success earlier this season.
Looking Forward
Bannister could one day be a candidate for the position of pitching coach, but that isn’t likely to come this season. While adding Bannister to the coaching staff could help improve the pitching staff, more work remains to be done. The Red Sox will almost certainly acquire at least one more starter, and probably two.
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, look for those moves to come in the next few weeks. Several names, like Hill’s, have already started to surface as likely targets for the Red Sox. Matt Moore of the Tampa Bay Rays joined that group most recently. Other names Boston could look into include Gerrit Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves, Andrew Cashner and Drew Pomeranz of the San Diego Padres, and Chris Archer, Moore’s teammate in Tampa. Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez has also drawn the interest of those surrounding the organization. However, it would likely take several top prospects, and a couple major leaguers, to acquire him.
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