Right-hander Brandon Workman came to the Red Sox with a made-to-order nickname: Workhorse.
Workman, who was Boston’s fourth pick (57th overall) in the second round of the 2010 draft, was -– what else? –- a workhorse last season for Texas.
A 6-foot-5, 225-pounder, Workman tossed 104 2/3 innings for the Longhorns while compiling a 12-2 record and a 3.35 ERA. He also displayed impressive command by striking out 101 and walking only 23.
Workman toiled in the bullpen as a sophomore in 2009 before making the Longhorns’ starting rotation. But after he was drafted by Boston, negotiations proceeded at the proverbial snail’s pace and Workman didn’t sign on the dotted line until the afternoon before the August 16 deadline for $800,000, which was $200,000 less than his initial request.
As a result, the only time he spent in Lowell was for the purpose of becoming familiar with pro ball.
He was assigned to Greenville where, through his first 21 starts, he was 3-6 with a 3.92 ERA and 103 hits allowed in 101 innings. He also has walked a commendable 29 while fanning 92 batters.
Workman brings to the table a fastball that’s consistently clocked in the 91-to-94 range and which occasionally hits 96. It’s your basic swing-and-miss pitch.
A native of Texas who eschewed football for baseball, Workman also has a cutter that’s been clocked in the high 80s and serves as a potential strikeout pitch against left-handed batters. His curveball is considered a plus pitch and he’s still working on developing a feel for a changeup.
The Phillies selected Workman in the third round out of high school in the 2007 draft but he declined their offer of $275,000 because he was seeking $350,000.
Workman already has a taste of New England because he pitched two years for the Wareham Gatemen in the prestigious Cape Cod League. In addition to earning All-Star honors each of his two years, he led the league in strikeouts during his initial season.
“When he’s on, he’s got three solid-average to plus pitches,” said an amateur scout who covers the Cape Cod League. “He definitely took a step forward when he developed his cutter. And he’s shown skeptics he’s not just a two-pitch pitcher.
“That enhances his chances of becoming a starter when he begins his pro career. He’s a big, solid kid who’s more polished than many pitchers you see come out of college.”