Red Sox News: Mark Prior Comeback
Mark Prior continues to pitch well for the Boston Red Sox at their Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, as the former ace has struck out 19 hitters with just five walks in eight innings. He pitched 1.3 innings with four strikeouts and two runs allowed last time out, and Prior is looking to make a remarkable comeback after even more severe injuries derailed the former Chicago Cubs pitcher’s career further.
The most remarkable thing in this amazing comeback story for Prior is that his fastball velocity is back around 90-93 miles per hour. That’s tough to do when coming back from major surgeries, and that’s a testament to Prior’s sheer determination. His control has been great thus far, and this fact is true for all of his pitches.
If he keeps this up, then Prior could be on his way to completing the unthinkable and end up on the Boston Red Sox MLB roster. It isn’t likely, but it sure would be awesome to see Mark Prior back in the Majors. He’s done a great job thus far and could be on his way to fulfilling one of baseball’s better and more unprecedented comeback stories. The Pawtucket star’s curveball isn’t as nasty as it used to be- it never will be- but it is back to being a great pitch for Prior.
The veteran starter has not pitched in the Majors since tossing 43.2 innings for the Chicago Cubs in a below-average 2006 season. Mark Prior was poor in limiting MiLB action for the New York Yankees in 2011, but he did make it up to Triple-A and pitched one inning at that level. He has not had a successful season since a solid 3 WAR year in 2005.
The best season of Prior’s career was a wonder to behold in the Cubs strong 2003 season, when the team was bounced out in a disappointing series defeat to the eventual World Series champions- the then Florida Marlins– in the NLCS. That year, Prior was worth an outstanding 7.6 WAR with nearly 10.5 strikeouts per nine and just 2.1 walks per nine for a 2.47 FIP in an outstanding year. Mark Prior will never get to that level again, but let’s hope he can get back to the Majors and continue his impressive form.
He used to be one of the best strikeout artists in the MLB, and he is getting back to that pace in Triple-A and could provide value for Boston in the near future if things keep moving forward for him.
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