Carson Smith

Smith took longer than expected to return to the Boston bullpen following 2016 Tommy John surgery, but he worked through setbacks and made his season debut in September. During the final month of the season, Smith made eight appearances and logged a total of 6.2 innings, finishing with one earned run allowed and a 7:2 K:BB. Most importantly, his velocity wasn't far from his pre-surgery levels, as he averaged 92.0 mph on his fastball, 84.6 on his slider, and 88.0 on his changeup, and he was generating outs on the ground at a clip above 60 percent again. At his best in 2015 with the Mariners, Smith was a 90-strikeout reliever with good ratios, and if he's able to use his slider as often as he did before going under the knife, it's reasonable to think that he'll be part of the improved late-inning combination the Red Sox use to get the ball to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning this season.

Smith was acquired from the Mariners in the offseason prior to the 2016 campaign and was seen as part of the mix to pitch setup innings for closer Craig Kimbrel, but a spring forearm injury lingered into the season and eventually required Tommy John surgery. Boston gave up a starter in Wade Miley to acquire Smith but viewed the reliever as a key bullpen piece. On the strength of a wipeout slider, Smith was coming off a stellar 2015 in which he struck out 34.2 percent of batters faced (ranked 11th among relievers) and registered an 11.8 K/9 (12th). The right hander with the unorthodox delivery commanded the strike zone well, too, and didn't give up many home runs (two in 70 innings). There are reports that he could throw during the spring, but the smart money has Smith coming back around June.

Smith fulfilled much of his potential as a dominant late-inning reliever last season, but when given the chance to take over the closer role, he didn't capitalize. The right-hander blew five save chances in 18 opportunities, allowing nine earned runs in 18.1 innings (4.41 ERA), and eventually relinquished the job. Smith certainly has the talent to close. He neutralizes righties (.169 BAA) with a devastating sidearm slider and left-handers (.227) with good changeup in addition to a sinking fastball that helped generate a 4.00 GB/FB ratio. His fastball command contributed to a mere two homers allowed, and despite a modest 92.9 mph average fastball, the 6-foot-6 Smith is an excellent strikeout pitcher. He whiffed 32.4% of the batters he faced, sixth among AL relievers. He was the key piece in a December trade that sent him to Boston, where he will eventually set up for Craig Kimbrel in a vastly improved Red Sox bullpen. However, he will begin the season on the disabled list with a strained flexor mass muscle in his right forearm, and should be considered out indefinitely.

Smith has shot through the system since being drafted in the eighth round in 2011, making the jump to Triple-A Tacoma to begin 2014 before a September callup. The right-hander impressed in his short time with the club, throwing 8.1 shutout innings across nine appearances. His best pitch is perhaps his sidearm slider that's more effective against right-handers, while his changeup is the choice against lefties. A sinking fastball helped him get 13 groundouts to one flyout with the Mariners. The 6-foot-6 Smith will compete for a relief job in spring training, though the bullpen is well stocked. Even if he doesn't make the team out of spring, he'll likely be in Seattle at some point. He also could be used as trade bait or insurance if the Mariners move one of their other bullpen pieces.