FORT MYERS, Florida — This offseason, Brayan Bello returned to the Pedro (Martinez) School, which produced a new and improved slider that may propel the gifted righty to new heights in 2024.
Bello’s chance to pitch off the mound at Martinez’s Dominican Republic villa and receive advice from a living icon is, well, priceless.
Following Martinez’s guidance, Bello, 24, who is arguably the most gifted player in Boston’s inexperienced starting rotation, saw an immediate improvement.
Bello remarked, “I was able to work out with him three or four times [in the winter].” My slider wasn’t in the best condition when I arrived. He then offered me some advice. And I managed to grasp it quite well that same day. After a few days of constantly throwing it, I started to feel more comfortable with it. Thus, yes, I had a great experience working with Pedro and having him help me sharpen my slider.
Bello feels the slider can be his key third pitch behind his filthy sinker and plus-changeup. He also has a four-seamer that he plans on throwing out of the strike zone to get some chase.
On Thursday, Bello threw live batting practice on the main mound at JetBlue Park and felt in a pretty good groove. And the slider was playing.
“I felt more comfortable with that pitch,” Bello said. “I feel like I can throw it in any count. Today in live BP, I used it and felt really good about it. So it was a good offseason for that pitch. I feel like my confidence is up with that pitch.”
What other factor would Bello have to consider in order to make the “leap” in 2024? Bello realized he needed a better body when he started to tire around the end of his first complete Major League season.
Yes, Bello admitted, “I was working on my back and lower body.” “I felt a little weak at the conclusion of the previous year. In order to gain more innings and feel stronger at the end of the year, I wanted to develop my lower body.
Despite Bello’s overall performance in 2023, he reached a breaking point in the latter part of the season, giving up 13 runs in nine innings during his final two starts.
He actually dropped his last three starts, which increased his record to 12-11 and caused his ERA to rise from 3.68 to 4.24.
“Towards the end of the year, I went on a few less than stellar outings,” Bello admitted. Therefore, I felt that I had to address that immediately and that I wanted to do so aggressively from the first day of the offseason. That being said, I was a little let down by the final few starts of the previous season.
What goals does Bello have for this season?
“Aim to put all I’ve learned into practice.”last year and everything I went through in that year,” Bello remarked. “I’ve been practicing in the bullpens, and that has somewhat aided me, but I’m also simply trying to improve in
Bello might kick off Opening Day in Seattle on March 28th, but the competition is still going on. He will, at the absolute least, be a starter that the Red Sox will rely a lot on.
Compared to a year ago, when Bello was merely vying for a position in the rotation, the Red Sox are assessing him differently this spring.
The Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, stated, “He’s getting ready for the season.” “This year is very different from last.” Physically, I believe he is far superior. I believe he discovered that during the previous year’s offseason. He didn’t take it for granted, but this offseason, he was extremely clear about the areas he wanted to improve, particularly in terms of his body. You observe himall around. He’s now developed into a man. He looks stronger, has put on a little weight, and performed admirably during the offseason. It’s now all about him getting ready for the opening series and building up to it.