Houck ready for the bright lights in '22

Sox believe righty is close to the 'final product' despite five walks issued in 2 1/3 IP

March 25th, 2022
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NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Friday’s linescore could set off alarm bells when it comes to Tanner Houck’s readiness to become a fixture in the rotation for the Red Sox. 

After all, alarm bells aren’t that hard to set off in Red Sox Nation. 

But Houck didn’t sound concerned after he walked five and lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the defending World Series champion Braves in a 6-3 loss on Friday afternoon. The power of his arsenal was also on display as he struck out four on a day the Braves played their “A” lineup.

The lights will shine brightly on Houck as he makes his first start on Sunday Night Baseball at Yankee Stadium on April 10, and the 25-year-old righty vows he will be ready for that assignment. 

“Yeah, the season’s right around the corner,” said Houck. “I feel very prepared for it.” 

This is because Houck got a taste of the Major Leagues last season -- particularly in the second half, when he became a fixture in the rotation.

And he also pitched in the pressure-cooker known as the playoffs, albeit in relief and not as a starter. 

By this point, Houck knows what he needs to do to be ready for the games that count. 

“I know I struggled a little bit today, but it’s one of those things where you bounce back, come back stronger and get your work in and not really worry as much about the results right now and just continue to get your work in,” said Houck. “And whenever the lights come on, the game speeds up a little bit better, adrenaline gets going. I’m excited for it.”

To Houck, the issue on Friday was obvious enough.

“Felt good. Obviously out of the stretch, I’m getting a little too rotational,” said Houck. “I talked with [pitching coach Dave Bush] about it already. Get back in tomorrow and look at some video and just re-sort things out and make a game plan going forward with it. Just to prioritize going out of the stretch a little bit more. Just a minor adjustment that can make a big difference in the long run.”

The five walks in an abbreviated outing aren’t going to fly on big stages like Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and all the other places Houck will pitch this season. But at CoolToday Park, such things can’t be taken with a grain of salt.

Houck is one of those pitchers who needs some time in Spring Training to sort through his mechanics, as there are a lot of moving parts.

Given the late start to this year’s Spring Training, faulty mechanics are to be expected to a degree. Particularly with a young pitcher still trying to establish himself.

“Last year, he was worse [in Spring Training], and he did a good job [during the season],” said manager Alex Cora. “It’s just part of what we’re going through. In Spring Training, there’s a lot of stuff that comes into play. He’ll be OK.”

If Houck can locate his live fastball -- which he wasn’t able to do Friday -- he should be able to keep the Red Sox in the game in most of his starts.

“The fastball command wasn’t there,” Cora said. “The two seamer and the four seamer he didn’t throw for strikes, so that’s something we have to keep working on. His stuff is real good. When he’s in the strike zone, there’s a lot of weak contact, but we can’t give free passes. We have to be more aggressive in the strike zone. I know he’s not trying to do that, but he’s got to throw that fastball for strikes.”

Last year, with Houck on more of a developmental path, the Red Sox structured his workload with an eye on the future.

This season, Houck’s role will be very much in the moment. And Cora hopes to be able to hand him the baseball every fifth day for six months.

“We’re getting close to getting the final product,” Cora said.

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Supervising Club Reporter Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002.