BOSTON — Despite two subpar starts against the Yankees, Franklin Morales has been exceptional as a starter.
In eight starts this season, the left-hander has posted a 3-3 record
with a 3.98 ERA. Since the Red Sox are slipping out of playoff contention, the
team could be evaluating his starting prospects moving forward.
As far as Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine is concerned,
Morales is capable of making a career out of starting.
“He has what it takes,” Valentine said. “The one thing you can’t teach is experience and he has to experience situations and different hitters, especially with what to do when the ball is wet from perspiration or precipitation.”
During a start against the Twins on Aug. 5, Morales told NESN.com that sweat from muggy conditions affected his grip. It’s been a learning curve as he reinvents himself from a reliever.
But Valentine has been enthralled with Morales’ altruistic attitude through it all. Although Morales is adapting to his starting role, he’s still given Valentine the green light in case he needs a reliever in between appearances.
“He’s been excellent,” Valentine said. “He’s even been offered to be back [in the bullpen] when he’s fourth. A few times, he said he would pitch in relief when he was scheduled to start. That’s pretty good.”
His starting future looks pretty good, too.
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