Electric Young Red Sox Hurler Has Exploded So Far In Spring Training, Could Snatch Roster Spot

One young Boston Red Sox pitcher may make the team sooner rather than later. 

Spring training is in full swing and one player who has made the most of an extended opportunity is Boston's No. 7-ranked prospect, Bryan Mata.

The 23-year-old has appeared in threes games so far in Grapefruit League action and has shined for Boston. Mata has yet to allow a run in four innings pitched and has regularly featured an electric fastball in the high-90s. The young hurler has only allowed one hit so far and struck out four batters while walking just one. 

Boston signed Mata as an international free agent in 2016 and he has been a member of the organization ever since. Mata began his professional career with the Red Sox's Dominican Summer League club in 2016. He worked his way all the way to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs in 2019 and at one point was Boston's fourth-ranked prospect and even was put on the Red Sox's 40-man roster in 2020.

Mata was unable to pitch in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, but came back in 2022 and shined tallying a 2.49 ERA overall in 19 games and even was promoted to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox where he started five games. 

The 23-year-old may not necessarily command a massive role with the 2023 Red Sox right away, but if he's able to continue to shine the way he has so far in spring training there's a real possibility that he could nab a bullpen spot. Boston already is dealing with a plethora of injuries to its pitchers and Mata has stepped up. 

There's a chance he makes the club outright out of the spring training, but if he doesn't, there's a possibility that he's called up sooner rather than later. Mata currently is on Boston's 40-man roster and so it wouldn't be too surprising to see him with the big league club at some point in 2023. 

Mata is just 23 years old and already has five seasons of professional baseball under his belt. If he's able to maintain his current level of play it won't be long until we see him at Fenway Park.