Red sox Bolster Bullpen with Venezuelan Closer Silvino Bracho
The Boston Red sox are making moves to strengthen their pitching staff, even amidst the ongoing MLB lockout. Right-handed reliever Silvino Bracho has inked a minor league deal with the organization, which includes an invitation to spring training once the labor dispute is resolved.Bracho, a seasoned veteran, spent the 2021 season with the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. He opted for free agency at the end of the campaign, granting him the opportunity to be recruited by an MLB team despite the ongoing lockout.
No stranger to the major leagues, Bracho pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2015 to 2020. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 but has since made a full recovery.
The 29-year-old has consistently excelled as a closer in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), notably with the Águilas del Zulia. during the 2021-2022 season, including playoff and Caribbean Series appearances, bracho dominated over 40.2 innings in 35 games. He boasted an impressive 2.21 ERA, allowing only 10 runs, while striking out 42 batters and walking just 22. His record stood at 2-2 with 10 saves.
Prior to his success in Venezuela, Bracho pitched for Sacramento, the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, where he posted a 4.14 ERA in 50 relief appearances.
Bracho joins fellow Venezuelan Yolmer Sánchez, who signed a similar minor league contract with the Red Sox earlier this month. This move signals the Red sox’s commitment to building a competitive bullpen, even with the uncertainty surrounding the start of the upcoming season.
Does Bracho Bolster the red Sox Bullpen? A Conversation with Former MLB Reliever Randy Myers
Welcome back, baseball fans! Today on “The Closer’s Corner,” we’re diving into the Boston Red Sox’s latest bullpen addition: venezuelan right-hander Silvino Bracho.Joining me to dissect this move and what it means for the Sox is none other than former MLB all-Star reliever, Randy Myers. Randy, welcome to the show!
Randy Myers: Thanks for having me! Always happy to talk baseball, especially bullpen talk.
Moderator: Let’s jump right into it.The Red Sox just signed Bracho to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. He’s a seasoned veteran, pitched for the Diamondbacks for a while, even had Tommy John surgery and bounced back.
Now, looking at his stats, especially his dominant performance in the Venezuelan league last season, do you think Bracho has what it takes to be a reliable late-inning option for the Red Sox?
Randy: Definitely, his numbers speak for themselves. A 2.21 ERA in Venezuela, with 10 saves in 35 games, is notable, especially against that caliber of hitters. But the venezuelan league is different from MLB.
I’d be curious to see his velocity and secondary pitches.Those are key for any reliever,particularly those aiming for late-inning roles.
Moderator: That’s a great point. It’s one thing to dominate in Venezuela, but the transition to MLB is a whole other beast. What aspects of Bracho’s game do you think need the most attention during spring training to give him the best chance of success in the majors?
Randy: Spring training is all about fine-tuning.You want him comfortable with his mechanics, adjusting to big-league mound and batters. They need to get him eyes on the Red Sox coaching staff and see their beliefs on how they want him to pitch.
I’m guessing they see him as a high-velocity guy, maybe a sinker-slider type, common for middle relievers and setup men.
Moderator: So, your not convinced he’ll be a full-fledged closer in Boston?
Randy:
Honestly, it’s a tough journey back to that role after Tommy John. Relievers often rely on extremely precise mechanics and muscle memory, which surgery can disrupt. Let’s see how he bounces back in spring training. The Red Sox already have a core bullpen arm in Jake Diekman, so Bracho will likely be battling for a setup role or middle relief spot, which isn’t bad at all.
Moderator: That’s a fair assessment. Let’s flip it around a bit. What are the potential benefits for Bracho signing with the Red Sox right now despite the lockout uncertainty?
randy:
Smart move from Bracho’s outlook. Even with the lockout, you want to be in a great institution, in a competitive environment. The Red Sox have a strong minor league system, and even if spring training is delayed, they’ll be able to get him acclimated and working with their coaches. Plus, showing up ready to compete for a spot always makes a positive impression on the team.
Moderator: Excellent point. Randy, before we wrap up, I want to throw this question out to our viewers. Do you think the Braves signing Bracho signals they’re on track to have a dominant bullpen this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Folks, as always, thanks for joining us on “The closer’s Corner!
Randy: My pleasure!
