by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) The Red Sox optioned Wednesday's starter Allen Webster back to Triple-A Pawtucket after he lost to the Twins Wednesday.
Boston will re-insert Felix Doubront into the rotation in the turn that would have been Webster's Tuesday at Tampa Bay. This was planned, as Boston announced Tuesday Doubront would rejoin the rotation following Webster's spot start.
Webster allowed eight runs over 1 2/3 innings in his first major-league loss.
Allen Webster's got a gopher problem
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Coming up through the minors, the book on Red Sox starting pitcher Allen Webster was pretty clear: He could induce some swings and some misses, but his calling card was a heavy fastball with plenty of sink. He rung up tons of groundballs and that helped him keep the ball in the yard.
Twins and Royals hitters have clearly not gotten the memo, as Webster has given up two home runs in each of his first two starts, totaling just 7 2/3 innings of work. Either his sinker isn't sinking, hitters are getting under it or Webster simply isn't throwing it enough.
According to BrooksBaseball.net's PITCHf/x data, it appears to be the latter, as Webster has thrown just 14 sinkers out of 138 pitches, a sign that he is not comfortable with what should be his bread and butter pitch.
Webster can consistently dial his pitches up to the mid-90s, and his slider has the makings of a potential out pitch. Webster does have 22 swinging strikes already, a prett robust number that hints at the kind of stuff he can twirl. Unfortunately, he has simply been giving up too much hard contact in his first two starts. For a pitcher with just four starts above the Double-A level, that is not a huge surprise, nor is it a death knell.
Based on his pedigree and minor-league success, Webster obviously still has a bright future in the majors. He just might not be ready to prove it right now. I would leave him for AL-only Fantasy formats after what we have seen.
Allen Webster blown up in spot start
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Red Sox starter Allen Webster, who was called up to make his second major league start Wednesday against Minnesota, couldn't get out of the second inning against the Twins.
Scheduled to make just one start with Felix Doubront jumping back into the rotation in the next turn, both pitchers were pretty bad against the Twins. Doubront replaced Webster in the second inning.
Webster suffered the loss, the first of his major-league career, as he allowed eight earned runs on six hits and three walks over 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two and surrendered a solo homer to Pedro Florimon and a two-run shot to Ryan Doumit.
Webster, who threw 54 pitches, has an 11.74 ERA after two career outings. He was much better his first time out against the Royals with two runs allowed -- coming on two solo homers -- over six frames.
Allen Webster worthy of a deep league claim
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (5/7/2013) When news spread around our office that the Red Sox were planning on keeping Allen Webster in the rotation for only one start, there were groans of disappointment. Then Editor Michael Hurcomb lightened the mood, saying, "I don't buy it. What if Webster throws seven scoreless?"
Even if Webster isn't quite that successful in his spot start, I like the sentiment. Felix Doubront hasn't given manager John Farrell many reasons to keep him in the rotation, and Webster deserves his shot. Like Doubront, Webster is a good bet for strikeouts and he also has some control issues, but unlike his lefty counterpart, he is more likely to avoid extra-base hits as a ground ball pitcher.
Webster's situation is too tenuous for him to be trusted in many mixed league formats, but in the deeper ones, he's worth a speculative pickup. If he can manage to stick around, Webster could help with strikeouts, ERA and wins.
Allen Webster added for one start
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) The Red Sox bumped Felix Doubront to the bullpen and promoted pitcher Allen Webster from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in order to start Wednesday's game against Minnesota, the Providence Journal reports. Webster, who made his major-league debut last month, is expected to be used for only one start with Doubront jumping back into the rotation for the next turn.
Boasting an array of quality pitches, Webster is considered the second-best pitching prospect in the Red Sox organization by MLB.com. The right-hander allowed two home runs in his first outing against Kansas City, but also struck out five batters over six innings.
Allen Webster picks up first Triple-A win
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher prospect Allen Webster, who made his MLB debut in April, picked up his first win for Triple-A Pawtucket Friday. Webster allowed one run on two hits in six innings, while striking out nine.
"He was outstanding. He pitched down in the zone, he had his swing-and-miss changeup going again and his fastball was exploding and he also threw a good slider in there," Pawtucket manager Gary DiSarcina told the Pawtucket Times. "He threw six dominant innings."
Webster is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and .171 opponents' batting average through four starts. He has struck out 26 batters, walked six and allowed one home run in 20 innings. Webster is considered the Red Sox's fourth-best prospect by MLB.com.
Red Sox thinking about bringing back Allen Webster
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Red Sox manager John Farrell said he will wait until after John Lackey's bullpen session Thursday to make a decision about his starter for Sunday's game vs. Houston. If Lackey (biceps) isn't ready to come off the disabled list, then Farrell named Alfredo Aceves and Allen Webster as potential candidates to start Sunday.
Webster was sent down to the minors Monday after making a spot start in a doubleheader Sunday against the Royals. Webster allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk in six innings during his MLB debut.
Red Sox ship Allen Webster back to minors
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) The Red Sox optioned starting pitcher Allen Webster to Triple-A Pawtucket Monday. Webster was promoted from Pawtucket over the weekend to make his MLB debut in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday against the Royals.
Allen Webster Ks five in debut
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Red Sox pitcher Allen Webster made his major-league debut in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Royals and turned in a quality start. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings of work.
An error in the first led to a run but that was his lone damage over the first four frames. Then in the fifth, the right-hander surrendered a pair of solo home runs.
The 23-year-old was done after throwing 84 pitches, 57 for strikes, and left in line for the win but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead.
Webster also struck out five and walked one.
Allen Webster making MLB debut in nightcap
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) The Red Sox recalled starter Allen Webster from Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday to start the second game of a doubleheader against the Royals Sunday. Webster will be making his major-league debut.
Acquired last summer from the Dodgers in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, the top prospect is likely to be sent down following Saturday's outing.
Webster has made two starts at Pawtucket and has allowed a run over 10 innings with 12 strikeouts and three walks.
Webster continues to impress
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher prospect Allen Webster tossed the final three innings of Tuesday's 5-3 spring win against the Blue Jays to secure his second save during spring training. Webster allowed one unearned run on three hits and no walks. He struck out three. “He's pretty damn good,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. Webster has managed a 1.64 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 11 spring innings. He also has 14 strikeouts to one walk. “What's been impressive is young pitchers that are able to throw that changeup on a 3-2 count. He's showing the ability to throw a breaking ball to both sides of the plate, in addition to a live fastball, heavy sink. He's done a great job," Farrell said. “The one thing that he's grasping is that with his stuff and the action of his two-seamer, he doesn't have to pitch to a third of the plate. He can be more aggressive on the white part of the plate, and it's allowed him to pitch and at least execute strike one at a higher rate. It just opens up so many more options for him. In a nutshell, it's his ability to attack the strike zone, strike one."
Webster with three solid frames
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Boston pitching prospect Allen Webster threw three solid innings on Saturday against Minnesota in Grapefruit League action. Webster didn't give up a run over three frames beginning in the sixth inning. He gave up two hits and walked a batter with two strikeouts. “With each added inning as he went out there, better rhythm, better feel for his secondary pitches,” Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters. “Once again, high 90’s with his velocity, good location, three pitches for strikes. A very impressive three innings. He was really good, especially the last inning. You can ask the umpires. It was an impressive performance.”
Webster handles top hitters
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) Red Sox pitching prospect Allen Webster had a mixed outing during his spring debut Monday against the Blue Jays. While Webster allowed one run on two hits in two innings, he also struck out four and it was an impressive list of batters he got on strikes. Webster struck out Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie and J.P. Arencibia. "It helps out,'' Webster said, per the Boston Herald. "That’s the toughest batters I’ve faced. I look forward to facing more."
