Justin Masterson

[grammysboy]

I'm in a keeper league that allows us to "stash" two minor league players on our roster at reduced salaries. I found stats for this kid in MILB and wondered if anyone has ever heard anything about him from the Red Sox. Pretty impressive numbers even in AA.

[thomasps3]

I know a little bit about this kid. His star has really come on this year in Boston, eclipsing the fading Craig Hanson and I dare say Michael Bowden, who has really struggled in the bandbox that is Lancaster.

His repetoire includes a sinker slider combo, and his breaking stuff will is already major league ready. His fastball and change need some work, but his 6'6 250 l frame has some nice projectability to it, but realisitically, if he stays in Boston, I don't see him being anything more than a Manny Delcarmen type, pitching 7-8th innings with Papelbon as the closer.

All bets are off though if he gets traded, because with these kids coming up:
Hansen
Masterson
Buchholz
Bowden

to go with
Okajima
Delcarmen

it is highly likely the bullpen will not be constituted with so many youngsters.

Hope this helps.