Teddy

Stankiewicz

Stankiewicz hasn’t pitched in affiliated ball since the 2019 season in the Red Sox’ minor league system. The 29-year-old righty was pitching in the independent Mexican League this year and will get a shot in the upper minors with Cincinnati as extra organizational pitching depth.

Stankiewicz struck out just three, but he scattered five hits and walked just two on his day. A 2013 second-round pick, Stankiewicz has struggled at times, but his 2017 campaign has given some reason for optimism. He has two above-average pitches in his fastball and slider, and his command has been much better this spring. He’s still just 23, so there’s reason to believe -- or at least hope -- he’s found another gear.

Stankiewicz retired the first 16 hitters he faced before allowing a single to Erie catcher Grayson Greiner in the sixth inning. That was the SeaWolves’ only hit of the night. His seven strikeouts were a season-high. Stankiewicz has gone undefeated over his last six starts and now sports a 4.81 ERA in 20 outings this year. Tuesday was the right-hander’s first shutout of the season and his second complete game.

A second-round draft pick by Boston last June, Stankiewicz was shelled in his season debut for Greenville, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in four innings. However, the 20-year-old right-hander has been sharp in his last two rotation turns, combining for 11 scoreless innings and a 7/3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Overall, Stankiewicz has posted a 3.00 ERA through his first 15 innings on the year.

Stankiewicz had his best start of the year immediately after his worst start of the year. He has been decent in 2014, holding opposing batters to a .267/.321/.370 line in 12 starts. He has the potential to be a solid back-end starter who employs an average fastball, an average change-up, and an above-average slider.