Jonathan Papelbon Predicts Breakout Candidate In Red Sox Bullpen
Jonathan Papelbon locked down games at an elite level during his tenure as the closer for the Boston Red Sox, which included a championship in 2007.
Papelbon keeps a close eye on the bullpen in his analyst role in NESN’s TV coverage of the Red Sox. That group gets a new look this year with arms such as closer Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock leading the stable in leverage situations.
The group will also need its unsung heroes to emerge and add more options to Alex Cora’s decision-making throughout the season with the staff. Papelbon believes the Red Sox have that arm on the roster.
“Every year in the bullpen in order for it to be good, there’s going to be one or two people that step up or come out of nowhere,” Papelbon told NESN.com. “To me, that kid this year is Zack Kelly. I just think that he’s got perfect big-league bullpen repertoire. I think he’s going to be that dark horse for the Red Sox bullpen this year.”
Kelly has true stuff in his arsenal with a plus-fastball and a quality breaking ball to miss bats and limit hard contact. The Red Sox reliever went 6-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 49 appearances with over a strikeout per inning. In his age-30 season, Boston’s bullpen depth certainly improves if Kelly finds consistency in the middle innings.