Dustin Pedroia is still making an impact on the Boston Red Sox this year, just not in the way anyone would expect.
The last two seasons have not been what Dustin Pedroia would have hoped for. Since the beginning of the 2018 campaign, the Boston Red Sox second baseman has played a total of nine games. In those 34 plate appearances, he has just three hits and three walks. The wear and tear he has put on his body has left him as a shell of the player he once was.
Pedroia is back on the Injured List; this time, dealing with irritation in his left knee. The expectation is that he will be back at the beginning of next week, where he will presumably be returning to the starting lineup. And perhaps, with some more rest, he will find his way to being a productive player once again.
Even if that turns out not to be the case, Pedroia is still finding a way to make an impact. He recently showed Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez a new breaking ball, showing him the grip and saying that he used to use it in high school. Rodriguez had used it while throwing on the side, and liked the movement he saw.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Using that pitch on Wednesday, Rodriguez had his best start of the season. In his six innings, Rodriguez allowed just one run on two hits and three walks, striking out seven batters. This marked what was arguably his best start of the season, and was just the second time that the lefty completed at least six innings.
It is possible that new breaking pitch leads Rodriguez to overcome his early struggles. Even with that outing on Wednesday, he has posted a 5.88 ERA and a 1.462 WHiP, walking 10 batters with 28 strikeouts in 26 innings. Just like most Red Sox pitchers, he needed something to change this year.
Perhaps that offering is what he needed. The early returns are certainly positive, Albeit it for that one outing. Should this be the turning point for Rodriguez’ season, Pedroia may be the surprising reason for that turnaround. In fact, that may be Pedroia’s biggest impact upon the Red Sox this season.
Dustin Pedroia may be on the Injured List, but he is still making an impact on the Boston Red Sox. In this case, it involves teaching Eduardo Rodriguez a new breaking ball.