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Boston Red Sox sign intriguing free agent outfielder in Michael Gettys

By Nick Stevens

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 23: Michael Gettys of San Diego Padres hits the ball in the 4th inning during a friendly game between San Diego Padres and Diablos Rojos at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. The game is held as part of the opening celebrations of the Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium, now the newest in Mexico to play baseball. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 23: Michael Gettys of San Diego Padres hits the ball in the 4th inning during a friendly game between San Diego Padres and Diablos Rojos at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. The game is held as part of the opening celebrations of the Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium, now the newest in Mexico to play baseball. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox have signed free agent outfielder Michael Gettys to a minor league deal.

No, the Boston Red Sox haven’t found their Opening Day centerfielder yet in case Jackie Bradley Jr.finds a new home in free agency this offseason, but the Red Sox have brought in an intriguing outfield free agent who will have an opportunity to make an impact at the major league level in 2021.

According to MLB.com’s transaction wire, the Red Sox have signed minor league free agent Michael Gettys to a minor league deal. Gettys spent the last six seasons as a member of the San Diego Padres organization after the Friars used a second-round pick on him out of Gainesville High School in Georgia.

When Gettys entered the professional ranks, evaluators raved over his high ceiling and loud tools, including a powerful bat from the right side in his 6-1, 205-pound frame.

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He found plenty of early success in the Padres system, but really began to find his game power once reaching High-A. Gettys hit 17 home runs with High-A Lake Elsinore while also stealing 22 bags and logging 22 doubles with four triples.

That power production continued in Double-A, hitting 15 home runs with 22 doubles. It was after his 2018 season in AA when Gettys was left unprotected from the Rule 5 draft, but was not selected despite being one of the more major league-ready bats available.

The big road block to Gettys really taking off has been the high number of strikeouts he’s accumulated across his minor league career, but those numbers have been trending in the right direction.

After striking out 37.2% of the time in High-A, Gettys has lowered his strikeout rate to 33.8% and then 30.5% in 2019 while with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

Not only did he continue to cut down on his strikeouts, Gettys slammed 31 home runs in the power-friendly Pacific Coast League with 29 doubles and five triples.

The power is there for Gettys to hit his fair share at the major league level, but the rest of his bat has lagged and been a red flag since coming out of the draft. Despite his 84 career minor league home runs, Gettys is a .260 hitter with a .316 on-base percentage.

But he’s still an intriguing signing for the Boston Red Sox. With 60-grade speed and a 70-grade outfield arm, Gettys can provide value on the basepaths and with his ability to cover significant ground in Fenway Park’s expansive outfield.

If the strikeouts continue to trend in the right direction, the Boston Red Sox have themselves a piece worth keeping an eye on as spring training rolls around. Perhaps a move back out east and into a new organization is what he needs for everything to finally click.

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Gettys was ranked 30th on San Diego’s list of Top 30 prospects.

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