Brandon Workman

The Phillies acquired Workman to help fix their historically leaky bullpen, but their pen issues wound up simply rubbing off on him. In 13 innings for his new team, he struggled to a 6.92 ERA and an incredibly poor 2.46 WHIP, though Philadelphia's bullpen woes ran so deep that he was still able to pick up five saves. Including his time at the start of the season with Boston, he finished the year with a 5.95 ERA, more than tripling his 1.88 ERA from 2019. A massive jump in his BABIP from .209 to .443 accounts for some of his struggles, but he wasn't good in the areas over which he had more direct control, either. His strikeout rate collapsed, coming in at 22.8% after sitting at 36.4% in 2019. Given that he posted a 22.5 K% in 2017 and 2018, the recent version of him may be what we should expect going forward. When combined with his 12.9 BB%, that's certainly not closer material.

The Red Sox entered 2019 with no clear replacement at closer following the departure of Craig Kimbrel. Workman wasn't the first choice, but he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, worked his way into a high-leverage role and eventually took over the ninth. He racked up 10 wins, 15 holds and 16 saves in 73 appearances. Workman was a solid middle reliever with limited usage for Boston over the prior two seasons, but in 2019 he upped his curveball usage by 10 percentage points (47.0%), resulting in career highs in strikeout rate (36.2%) and groundball rate (51.1%). A 15.7 BB% did get him into trouble on occasion, but he offset that by allowing only a .121 BAA. As he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility, Workman projects as the Red Sox's top reliever, though interim manager Ron Roenicke could always pivot to a nontraditional, more versatile usage rather than restricting Workman to the closer role.

Workman was sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket as one of the last cuts of the spring. He remained on the farm until June 5. After his arrival to Boston, he performed well and quickly earned the skipper's trust. Still, after registering a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP with 19 whiffs in 18.2 innings, Workman caught the shuttle to Pawtucket again to clear a roster spot for Nathan Eovaldi. Less than a week later, Workman was summoned when Chris Sale was deactivated. When Sale was reinstated, Workman headed down again, only to be brought back up to stay when Sale returned to the DL. A former starter, Workman uses a three-pitch mix, throwing a 92-mph fastball, cutter and curve. Since he's not overpowering, he needs his curve to be sharp to be most effective. He'll return to a similar role in 2019, working in the middle innings, earning some holds and vulturing a few wins along the way.

Workman returned to the Red Sox last season after a lengthy recovery and rehab process following 2015 Tommy John surgery. He pitched well at Triple-A (1.55 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) to open the door for another look in the Boston bullpen, where he was a steady middle-relief option, who was largely kept away from high-leverage situations. Working with a three-pitch arsenal that includes a fastball, cutter and curveball, Workman carried an 8.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 over 33 appearances. Since he's not overpowering, and he doesn't generate a ton of his outs on the ground, it's difficult to envision a scenario in which his role changes much in 2018, especially if the Red Sox get contributions from a healthy Tyler Thornburg or Carson Smith in front of closer Craig Kimbrel. While that skill set doesn't offer much for those scouring the waiver wire for ratio help, Workman is a nice story nonetheless.

Workman's long road back from 2014 Tommy John surgery continued in 2016, as he ended the season with 20 innings logged between Rookie ball, Low-A and Double-A. He wasn't necessarily effective in those 20 innings, but being on the mound was an important step for the 28-year-old righty. He allowed 17 earned runs in his limited action, with a 9.00 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in his 10 Double-A innings. Workman last pitched in the majors in 2014, when he started 15 games for the Red Sox at the top level, finishing with a 5.17 ERA. He has since switched to a bullpen arm, a role which he will try to nail down at the major league level during spring training. After such a long layoff, it wouldn't be surprising to see Workman begin the season with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Workman was preparing for a spot in Boston’s bullpen in 2015, with a possibility of working in high-leverage situations, but experienced a worrisome drop in velocity during spring training and was eventually diagnosed with an elbow injury. He opted for a platelet-rich plasma injection and rest in hopes of avoiding Tommy John surgery, but Workman eventually underwent the knife in June. That decision to delay the surgery pushes out his 2016 return to sometime mid-summer. The Red Sox will address their many bullpen needs by then, so Workman may be in line for work at Triple-A Pawtucket depending on how the reconfigured bullpen pans out between April and July. Workman has significant experience as a starter in the minors, but his brief exposure to major-league hitters as a starter in 2014 did not go well. Workman will likely remain in Fort Myers after Boston breaks camp.

Workman, an up-and-coming starter in the organization, had an impressive stint in Boston's bullpen during their championship season in 2013. After considering a move to the bullpen, the organization decided to have Workman pitch as a starter at Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014. He was eventually called up to Boston to replace an injured Felix Doubront in the rotation and earned the respect of his teammates during a tumultuous game against the Rays that featured several hit batsmen and pitches with a message. While the Red Sox admire his competitiveness, Workman's results weren't there and he was eventually replaced by Rubby De La Rosa in the rotation. Workman made it back to Boston when they traded away starters Jon Lester, Jake Peavy and John Lackey, but his performance was still shaky. Given the struggles he exhibited as a starter in 2014 -- 10 homers and 35 walks in 80.2 innings -- and the success he's had as a reliever in the past, Workman is probably headed for a bullpen role in 2015.

Workman was one of several minor-league pitchers that made contributions at the major league level in 2013. He began the year at Double-A Portland and finished it pitching in the eighth inning of a World Series game. That should tell you a little something about the pitcher and the confidence the organization places in him. A starter for all of his career, Workman was called to Boston as a reliever, though he made two starts, and became a trusted member of the pen in the second half of the season. He struck out 11.2 batters per nine innings as a reliever. He has a starter's arsenal and durability, so he's still viewed as one by the club, but if he's needed to be a full-time reliever in 2014, so be it. The Red Sox made some moves to bolster the pen and Workman should get back to being a starter at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Workman was named the organization's top minor league pitcher in 2012, when he split time between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. He needed to develop secondary offerings and he did just that, establishing a cutter that projects as an out pitch. There is still work to do on his curve and changeup, but nobody is talking about moving him to the bullpen just yet. He improved in both his walk and strikeout rates and should be part of the starting rotation at Double-A Portland when the 2013 opens. A full season at Double-A will serve as a good test for Workman.

Workman's is a tall right-hander with an easy motion and big frame that looks like he can handle the rigors of being a starting pitcher. His first professional season was a relatively successful one. He had enough to get by in Low-A, but needs to develop his secondary offerings and locate his fastball in places where hitters have to work to make hard contact. His curveball is getting better, but the changeup isn't where it needs to be right now. He needs to have a bigger arsenal to finish off hitters. He may be able to work himself through High-A ball, but those pitches better be firm by the time he reaches Double-A Portland. If not, we may see him move to a bullpen role.

Workman signed late in the Summer after being drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft out of the University of Texas. He was 12-2 for the Longhorns, showing marked improvement in the command of his fastball from his sophomore to junior season. He brings a fastball/curveball/cutter mix with a need to develop a change. He could land with an assignment at High-A Salem, where he'll work on becoming more consistent with his curveball. His fastball has velocity and shows good movement, capable of swing-and-misses, and his high-80s cutter can be a go-to pitch for him. Workman is one of four intriguing young arms in the system to watch.