The Red Sox and right-hander Robert Stock have agreed to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Naranjeros de Hermosillo, the Mexican winter ball team Stock had been playing for, had previously announced that Stock was leaving to conduct physical exams with the Sox.
Stock, 35, has a bit of major league experience. From 2018 to 2021, he tossed 72 2/3 innings over four seasons, suiting up for the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs and Mets. He allowed 4.71 earned runs per nine. His 23.1% strikeout rate was around average and his 49.8% ground ball rate was strong, but he also gave out walks at a high rate of 12.2%. His fastball averaged 96-98 miles per hour in that time.
He hasn’t been in the majors for a few years now but has performed well in other places. He spent 2022 in Korea, posting a 3.60 ERA over 29 starts for the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. That was enough to get him another shot in affiliated ball, as he signed a minor league deal with the Brewers for 2023. But he had an 8.22 ERA in 23 innings and was in Indy Ball by June.
For 2024, he signed with the Tecos de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He made 19 starts and tossed 98 2/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA. As mentioned, he has been playing winter ball with the Naranjeros, posting great numbers there. He tossed 84 1/3 innings over 14 starts for them with a 1.60 ERA.
For the Sox, there’s no harm in bringing him aboard via a minor league deal to see how he looks in camp. He was a reliever for most of his career but has been starting in more recent years, so he should be able to provide the club with non-roster depth in both areas.
Boston projects to have a rotation of Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Walker Buehler, with Lucas Giolito returning from his elbow surgery at some point this year as well. There’s lots of talent in there but also plenty of question marks. In the bullpen, they lost Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin to free agency, though they have signed free agents Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. They are also set to get Liam Hendriks and Garrett Whitlock back from extended absences due to elbow surgeries.
So I suppose any photo of him is considered a stock photo?
Not sure, but maybe Cora things getting the Stock-aid in the clubhouse will improve behavior and morale?
Does he have a watermark tattoo on his face?
non – If face tattoos are legal in MLB, he should get a face tattoo of a baseball.
The double vision effect it would have on hitters might lower his ERA all the way down to 7.50
Unsolved Mysteries 2.0
Always appreciated your handle, Canuckleball! Its a good one.
I grew up playing with and against Robert. This dude threw 90mph when we were like 14 and hit tanks every other at bat. Happy to see he’s still out there on the diamond somewhere
Actually is a really good minor league deal pickup too
An elite minor leaguer one might say?
Y’all, it’s January 14th and there’s a ton of free agents out there. Can we get some real deals, please?
You have a problem with investing in Stock? If nothing else, you may be pleasantly surprised by a bull Stock market at the trade deadline and you get a useful lottery ticket.
He agreed to drive the bus at Spring training.
Hey look, it’s the guy who doesn’t know every team signs numerous minor league free agents each year!
He look it’s the guy that has nothing better to do than call out a bored guy on the internet!
Calling it now- Red Sox 2025 WS champs Robert Stock dual MVP / Cy Young winner. The Legend Is Born with this signing.
Extend this min, Red Sox!
20 years/$3B and that’s the team friendly discount.
You should do stand up bro.
Loved him in Airplane…
Surely, you can’t be serious.
Don’t call. me surely.
And he’s Untouchable.
This is yet another “Unsolved Mystery” Ahahahahaha.
Isn’t he the Unsolved Mysteries guy?
“UPDATE”
Perhaps that someone is watching, perhaps it’s YOU. Ahahahahaha!
Ahahahahaha!
🙂
This guy again
Yes, there is video of him the Mexican, and the movement on his fastball is crazy good….. Nothin ventured, nothing lost…..
it’s tanner scott not Robert stock. getting your names confused.
The last time he pitched was in high school.
They put great Stock in Robert for minors depth.
He is one letter away from being an unsolved mystery.
Glad the ownership was okay with spending on this contract!!!
Looking at those stats, I’d say he’s not untouchable.
why? just why? good grief!
Got to say it! “It’s full throttle !”!
AHAHAHAHHAHAHA.
You’re not funny.
Saw him pitch in the Atlantic League in 2023. I few weeks before he pitched a no-hitter. The day I saw him he gave up 9 runs in 5 innings. When I saw him pitch for the Mets for a brief time, he throws hard but straight, and it often seemed that home plate repelled his pitches. Must be frustrating — he was the best young player in the country from the time he was 13 and enrolled in college when he was 16. When he was drafted by the Cardinals 17 years ago he got a $525k signing bonus. He’s still at it…. I hope he has finally found “it” and can get back to the majors and stick with a good year.
This is another stockpiling move, but again, I have to point out for the “infinity” time that the pickup once again has bad control issues. The old big arm reason.
Stockpiling is fine. You have to fill out minor league rosters as well as the big clubs, but it would be nice to stockpile a few guys that actually know where the ball is going when they release it. Just a thought. 96 with no clue isn’t necessarily better than 90 when you can dot it.
Gotta fill up the AAA roster too, but geez, can we sign some 25yo’s instead
Sad Sack – The Red Sox just acquired a 25 year old named Garrett Crochet. They are working to get him extended from a 2 year contract to possibly 6 or 7 years. He is a top of the rotation pitcher, so that should be satisfying.
Well, Sam Kennedy said they weren’t through this off-season. I guess this is the result.
All that’s missing is Chris Mazza, Zack Godley, and Phillips Valdez and it’s 2020 all over again…
6’1”, 260 lbs. Pretty stocky
You may remember that, during Stock’s first time around with the Sox, Mrs. Stock had a very funny social media account that got quite a bit of notice (on the Sox sites) for the wife of a minor leaguer. I wouldn’t rule out a little comic relief as a motive.
This is a great pickup.
I remember how funny he was in that movie “airplane”…
Red Sox STOCK their roster !!
Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes!
-Rex Kramer
Is he fresh off Tommy John surgery?
Estate sale fresh
His wife must be pissed. She got into it with Boston fans ragging on him before
Us East Coast boys knew about this guy when we were around 15-16 hitting bombs and pumping ched out there in Cali. It’s cool to see him trying to find a way back to the show. He was as talented as they come from what I heard.