WORCESTER Double-Top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlini were summoned to Portland manager Chad Epperson’s office on Sunday, informing them that it was that time of year.
Epperson made the two pitchers believe they were being dealt, and the MLB trade deadline is this Thursday at 6 p.m.
It’s terrible for us, but it’s great for you people. According to Early, Epperson informed them that you two had been included in a package agreement for a trade.
Epperson told them to visit Bobby Stachura, a trainer in Portland, who would take care of their travel arrangements and assist them in determining how to get up to Worcester.
They were swapping teams, but not companies, as it turned out. They were promoted to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox.
“I was constantly wondering where I could go and whether I would have to ship my car all the way to the West Coast or something,” Early remarked. Hearing that was undoubtedly quite difficult. And then, after learning (about the promotion), a great time.
Sandlin is ranked No. 12 by Baseball America, while Early is ranked No. 11 by the Red Sox.
Early, a 23-year-old left-hander, pitched in 15 games (12 starts) for Portland, going 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. In 71 innings, he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 96 to 29 while opponents batted.202 against him.
In 17 appearances (13 starts), Sandlin, a 24-year-old right-hander, finished 5-4 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. In his most recent start, Sandlin’s fastball reached 99.1 mph. In 82 innings pitched, he recorded 27 walks and 86 strikeouts. He was batting.227 against his opponents.
This past week, Portland performed in Richmond, Virginia. Early was born in Midlothian, Virginia. When Epperson informed him of his promotion, his parents and siblings were there at the game on Sunday.
In fact, all three of my brothers were present. “I haven’t had all of my brothers at a game in a long time,” Early remarked. Therefore, having them there was incredible.
On Sunday, Early did not take the team bus back to Portland. Months before, he purchased an airline ticket for Monday’s return flight. In this manner, he could stay with his family for an additional night.
Thus, he continued, I ended up spending the night with my family, had dinner with everyone, and enjoyed the evening. I was coming up here after my family took a vacation to Hilton Head Island. As a result, we all arrived at the airport simultaneously and split up.
On Monday, Early had a flight at 4:30 p.m. Around ten o’clock at night, he reached Portland.
Early, who drove to Worcester today, said, “I had to pack my apartment quickly.”
