K is for Kyson: Red Sox No. 3 prospect sets career high in strikeouts
This browser does not support the video element.
Kyson Witherspoon has been pitching well of late for High-A Greenville, and his start on Friday in a 4-2 win for the Drive was one of his best of the season.
The Red Sox's No. 3 prospect -- and the No. 82 prospect in MLB -- recorded a career-best eight strikeouts while allowing two earned runs over five innings against Jersey Shore at ShoreTown Ballpark.
The outing was a continuation of a good stretch for the 2025 first-round Draft pick, who has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his past five starts. He has also chipped into his WHIP, bringing it down to 1.45. Walks have been an issue for the right-hander, but after a couple of starts earlier this year in which he issued four or five walks, Witherspoon has issued three or fewer walks in each of his past seven starts.
Witherspoon struck out at least one hitter in each of his five innings Friday and had two K's in the first, second and fifth frames. The 21-year-old produces whiffs with a four-seamer that can reach 99 mph. He also has a cutter that can get into the 90s along with a slider and a curveball that he needs to command more consistently.
But if he does, we could be talking about a pitcher with four plus offerings.
Although his first 12 starts as a pro haven't all been gems, Witherspoon's ceiling remains sky-high. Starts like the one he had on Friday show us why.