Because of two snowed-out days to begin the season and a doubleheader last Saturday, the Portland Sea Dogs searched for a starting pitcher for Wednesday. No one was available on the usual four days’ rest, and the bullpen was too taxed to supply a candidate.
So Justin Haley got the ball. Sure, he would be on only three days’ rest, but Haley could not wait to turn the page on his previous start.
“Absolutely,” Haley said. “I was the guy who was ready.”
Haley did not dominate Wednesday like he did after his midsummer call-up to Portland in 2014, when he emerged as a legitimate Red Sox pitching prospect. But he pitched four solid-enough innings in the Sea Dogs’ 7-5 win over New Britain.
Haley’s line: four innings, five hits, one run, two walks and six strikeouts.
“Good step forward,” catcher Luis Martinez said. “Better command today. His fastball was moving in and out. He located his change-up well.”
Haley looked relieved after Wednesday’s game. His 2015 debut, in the second game of that Saturday doubleheader, featured little command or location. He did not get out of the third inning, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 2 1/3 innings.
On Wednesday the fastball, in the low 90s, was usually on target, and the off-speed stuff – slider, curve and change-up – played well.
“All four pitches felt good. I think they were effective,” Haley said. “It was a step in the right direction. Not where we want to be yet.”
Haley pitched out of a jam in the first inning, allowing three hits and one run. And he needed only 30 pitches for the first two innings – but then 25 in the third and 18 more in the fourth. With the short rest between starts, that finished his day.
“The one thing we need to work on with all our starters is being a little more efficient,” said Portland pitching coach Kevin Walker. In six games, only one Portland starter (William Cuevas) has pitched as long as five innings.
“Seems like we’re throwing a lot of pitches right now and getting into extended counts,” Walker said. “But (Haley) was much better than the other day … he battled back and made pitches when he had to.”
And that’s what makes Haley a prospect. He competes. His fastball may not seem overwhelming, but he gets on hitters quickly with a deceptive delivery and enough alternative pitches to keep them off balance.
He showed signs Wednesday.
“It was a good outing to get comfortable,” Haley said. “Build back some confidence.”
Confidence is everything to Haley, 23, a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 out of Fresno State. Haley began his pro career that year in short-season Lowell.
There he not only shined (1.89 ERA) but met his future fiancee, Casey Gariepy, an intern with the team. They became engaged this past offseason.
His performance dipped in 2013 (7-11, 3.68 in Greenville) but Haley rebounded in Salem last year (7-4, 2.82). Haley credits Walker (Salem’s pitching coach last year), as well as work with a mental performance coach to improve his focus.
In Portland last year, Haley put up a 1.19 ERA in six starts. Baseball America ranked him as Boston’s 28th-ranked prospect before this season.
It may take a few more games to get his 2015 ERA (7.11) down to last year’s numbers.
But Wednesday pointed Haley in the right direction.
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