Richard Fitts ended the 2023 season as a member of the New York Yankees organization. Six months later, he was with the rival Boston Red Sox after being a key piece in the Alex Verdugo trade. Fitts, a 6′ 3″ right-handed starting pitcher, has impressed during his time in Boston’s organization. But nothing compared to his dazzling performance on Wednesday evening. It was a career day at Triple-A Worcester for Richard Fitts.
Richard Fitts Has Career Day At Triple-A Worcester
A Rocky Road
Fitts entered Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, sporting a 4.35 ERA over nine appearances. He had recently rebounded off a tough outing on May 17, where Scranton tagged him with six runs in just three innings. But just two weeks later, that bump in the road was nowhere near the pitcher’s mound. On Wednesday, Richard Fitts was nothing short of stellar.
A Stellar Outing
Fitts started the contest off strongly, retiring the first three batters on 14 pitches. One of those was White Sox rehabber Luis Robert Jr., who Fitts popped up to end the inning. Eight pitches later and Fitts was through the second without any issue. That continued through the third inning. After three, Fitts had two strikeouts and sat down the first nine Knights batters.
The bottom of the fourth featured another duel against Robert Jr. Fitts punched him out on three pitches to end the inning and remain perfect. His roll kept going through both the fifth and sixth innings with ease. And with just nine batters and nine outs ahead of him, Fitts was just 66 pitches in. It’s rare to see a minor league pitcher throw into the seventh, but that’s exactly what Fitts did on Wednesday night. He got through the seventh frame untouched. A third and final battle with Robert Jr. came to an end with his second strikeout of the night.
Worcester led 5-0 at the end of seven and, with six outs between him and a perfect game, Richard Fitts toed the mound to start the eighth. After throwing a strike, he tossed an 88 mph slider down the middle. Charlotte right fielder Oscar Colás deposited the ball into center field for a single. It was the Knights’ first baserunner of the evening. After sitting down the first 21 batters, Fitts was removed from the contest.
Richard Fitts was in the zone tonight! ?
The @RedSox No. 10 prospect struck out seven as he set down his first 21 batters in order for the @WooSox: pic.twitter.com/DwmlUo2hfG
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 30, 2024
Despite not getting over the line, Fitts’ dominant seven perfect innings were arguably the best start of MiLB in 2024. He pitched into the eighth, completing seven full innings. Fitts allowed just one hit and struck out seven Charlotte batters. After entering the day with a 4.35 ERA, Fitts ended the night at 3.72.
What’s Next For Richard Fitts?
Following his near-perfect performance on Wednesday, Fitts is now 4-1 in 2024 over ten games and nine starts. He’s punched out 41 batters in just over 48 innings. After ending April with a 3.91 ERA, he improved in May with a 3.52 in the month. In his first two months with the Red Sox organization, Fitts has strongly placed himself as Boston’s 10th-best prospect according to MLB.com.
Fitts had failed to eclipse the Double-A level with New York. He was immediately thrust into Triple-A Worcester once traded. It can sometimes be difficult for a player to acclimate after being moved, let alone following a promotion. And Fitts has followed up his 3.48 ERA in 2023 nicely this year. It’s still early and there is plenty of baseball for Fitts to still play. But with an estimated ETA of 2024, Richard Fitts could be playing at Fenway in the near future. For now, though, Fitts can only focus on his last performance. And it’s a good one to have fresh on his mind after a career day at Triple-A.
Photo Credit: © Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK
