MLB Notes: Red Sox's New Pitching Duo Aim to Maintain Success
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox's pitching program has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, thanks to the leadership of Craig Breslow as chief baseball officer. Once struggling to develop young pitchers, the team has now become one of the best in the league, boasting a talented pool of arms that have made their mark in the majors.
This success has not gone unnoticed, and the team's former pitching director, Justin Willard, was recently poached by the New York Mets to become their major league pitching coach. Now, the Red Sox are entrusting the reins to two new directors, Ben Buck and Quinn Cleary, who aim to keep the pitching pipeline flowing.
This winter, the Red Sox promoted Ben Buck to succeed Willard as the director of pitching. They also hired Quinn Cleary from the Seattle Mariners to serve as his No. 2. The duo has already begun their work, building upon the solid foundation laid by Willard, with a focus on emphasizing his core tenet of 'throwing nasty stuff in the zone.'
"That's the mantra," Buck said. "It's simple to say, but our guys remember it, and you can branch off from each word, making it very complex." Cleary added, "It's a perfect one-liner that sums up the two big components of being a successful pitcher in the majors."
Buck's promotion came after just one year with the organization, following his role as a pitching coordinator with the New York Yankees. He has already worked with top pitching prospects like Payton Tolle, who rose from High-A to the majors in his first year of professional baseball. Tolle praised Buck's expertise, stating, 'He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around in the baseball world.'
Another pitcher, Garrett Whitlock, also worked with Buck as his pitching coach during his rookie ball days. Whitlock praised Buck's ability to bring wisdom to the table, particularly in the areas of movement, preparation, and arm building.
Before transitioning to professional coaching, Buck spent 15 years as a college coach, playing at Lamar Community College and the University of Utah. He also played independent baseball and worked in a poker room, honing skills that proved valuable in his coaching career.
Cleary's journey to the Red Sox is equally fascinating. At just 26 years old, he is a few years removed from his college playing days at Yale. He has quickly risen through the front office ranks, interning at Cressey Sports Performance and working with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Seattle Mariners as a pitching coordinator.
The Red Sox hired Cleary as their new assistant director of pitching and head pitching strategist, specifically requesting permission from the Mariners to interview him. Buck praised Cleary's sharp mind and ability to connect with players, stating, 'What a great hire. I can't imagine being as young as he is, as smart as he is, with as much feel as he has.'
Cleary's family history is also noteworthy. His grandfather, Bill Cleary, was a member of the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic hockey team and a longtime men's hockey coach at Harvard. His parents and three brothers also attended Harvard, making Cleary's decision to attend rival Yale a unique choice.
In his new role, Cleary will serve as a hybrid front office and coaching/player development role, assisting both the major and minor leagues. He will also support injured big leaguers in their rehab process, aiming to add value wherever possible.
Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey praised the collaboration between Buck and Cleary, noting their open-mindedness and ability to listen and learn from each other and past experiences.
With a strong foundation in place, Buck and Cleary are now tasked with building upon the progress made by Breslow and Willard. They aim to identify the one and two percent improvements needed to keep the team's pitching program on track.
Additionally, the article highlights the homecoming of Brayan Bello, a Red Sox right-hander, who will pitch for the Dominican Republic in a pre-World Baseball Classic exhibition against the Detroit Tigers. Bello, a native of Samana, hopes to help his country win its second World Baseball Classic title.
The article also features local baseball standouts Shea Sprague and Jack Winnay, both recent Red Sox draft picks with Boston-area ties. They are among the minor leaguers at the Fenway South complex this spring, aiming to take the next step in their journey towards the majors.
Lastly, the article mentions Max Burt, a former St. John's Prep and Northeastern University standout, who signed with the Detroit Tigers as a minor league free agent. Burt departs as the Somerset Patriots' all-time franchise leader in hits, runs, and games played.
