The Red Sox Got The Size They Crave
The Boston Red Sox just added a massive left-hander in the fifth round of the draft. They picked Brett Lanman out of Abilene Christian University, and he fits the exact mold Craig Breslow loves. This organization has spent heavily on pitchers since Breslow took over as Chief Baseball Officer. In his first two drafts, the team selected 28 pitchers out of 41 total picks. That is a clear plan to fix the rotation from the ground up.
Lanman stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds. He uses that huge frame to extend down the mound, which makes his pitches play up. The Red Sox did not pick him for his college stats, which included a 5.35 ERA last season. They picked him because of his physical traits and the belief that he can become a major leaguer. As Over the Monster reported, the team sees him as a project with high upside. They know how to turn raw talent into big league arms.
Why The Fastball Is The Only Thing That Matters
Lanman knows exactly why he is in Florida with the Red Sox right now. He told reporters that his heater is the reason he was drafted. My best pitch is the fastball I will use to attack you.. Lanman stated that his presence in Florida with the Red Sox is mostly due to his fastball.. Right now, he averages about 92 mph but has topped out at 95 mph. The Red Sox are famous for adding velocity to young arms in their system.
Most starting pitchers who succeed use the fastball as their foundation. Hitters dislike the flat attack angle Lanman generates through his plus extension and low release point.. He wants to work with the staff to unlock more speed. He said, “I definitely got more [velocity] in me. The correct organization here hopefully includes someone who can help me unlock that potential..” The track record supports his faith. Players like Hunter Dobbins and Richard Fitts have already reached the majors after time in this system.
A Lefty Who Trusts The Process
It is rare for a fifth-round pick to be a finished product. Lanman is not there yet, but he is eager to learn from the best pitching coaches in baseball. He understands that the Red Sox have a proven formula for getting lefties to the big leagues fast. “They’ve developed these guys, and they’re in the big leagues. He said that this group clearly understands the requirements for getting a left-handed pitcher to the big leagues quickly..
Lanman plans to soak up every bit of advice the staff gives him. His goal is simple: listen, agree, and execute. “My goal here is to just soak everything in, and if they want to try something, I’m gonna say ‘let’s do it,’ and go for it,” Lanman said. He trusts the organization completely because they have done it before. “I trust them. They’re very credible. They’ve done it in the past … whatever they think will get me to that level, I’m gonna do it,” he added.
Will Lanman become a star? No one knows for sure, but he has the tools and the mindset to succeed. The Red Sox have built a pipeline that turns lottery tickets into winners. If anyone can add velocity and refine his mechanics, it is this staff. Do you think Lanman will make the majors by 2026, or will he need more time in the minors? Let me know what you think in the comments.
