The first round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2007 will undergo Tommy John surgery and be out for the remainder of the year, SoxProspects.com reports. Hagadone started 10 games for the Lowell Spinners last year and had a 1.85 ERA in 24.1 IP, eight walks and 33 strikeouts. He was off to a fast start for Greenville (high-A) this year as the 22-year old was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, six walks and 12 strikeouts in three starts (10 IP). He has the talent to make the bigs as a reliever but the team was hopeful he would make it as a starter. I would venture this sets that notion back significantly.
Also, Sox on Deck notes that Bobby Kielty will be out for up to six weeks
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I agree and initially wrote that Hagadone would be expected to end up a reliever after this surgery, but I decided not to say that because 1) It’s not expected by anyone other than me and 2) the possibility still exists he can end up a starter.
Someone on the site made an interesting point that MDC was moved to the bullpen after his Tommy John Surgery and since Hagadone was considered a candidate to be moved the pen eventually if this will facilitate that move. It sounded like his change-up was making progress whereas MDC just developed his change last year so it is possible they could still see him as a starter since he added a third pitch with the potentital to be a plus offering in addition to his very good fastball/slider.
Austin Bailey’s surgery is more worrisome, although he is not as highly regarded as Hagadone, I had big hopes for him. He was a tough sign that would have likely gone in the 2-4 rounds if he was not serious about the college route. Torn Labrum’s ( I believe injury-expert Will Carroll considers it the worse injury for pitchers) are much worse then TJ surgery in regards to full recoveries. He was a well regarded hitter in high school and since he is 19 it will be interesting to see if he struggles coming back next year if they consider moving him to the outfield down the road…I imagine they will give every chance to come back as a pitcher.