Lester learning to be a leader
The deal, until it sundered in late December 2003, was specifically this: Texas's Alex Rodriguez to Boston for Manny Ramirez, $15 million, and 19-year-old Single A lefthander Jon Lester.
''Yeah," Lester recalled Wednesday afternoon, ''I was in there with Manny."
Lester is 21 now and the ace of the Double A Portland Sea Dogs. He was the winner in last night's 3-2 victory over Norwich, which was to be taken in by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. Lester has the lowest ERA in the Eastern League (2.47) and an upside just as promising as that of the better known Jon in the Sox system (Jon Papelbon).
Papelbon, at present, receives more publicity, and rightfully so -- he's 24, he's started a big league game, and he figures to help the Red Sox again this season. But Lester is something special and rare -- a tall (6 feet 3 inches) power lefthander with precision and upside.
''There are pitchers whose unique physical ability allows them the chance to continue getting better and Jon fits into that category," said Ben Cherington, the Sox' director of player development. ''Whereas some guys perform well at the lower levels but then have to hope that the competition doesn't catch up to them as they move up, Jon has found another gear, which has allowed him to distance himself from the competition."
That, right there, is Lester's allure. He admittedly struggled last season in the Florida State League, going 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA. He moved up to Double A to begin this season and has nearly halved his ERA.
''Last year in Sarasota it was kind of an experimental year, trying new things, new mechanics," Lester said.
He began bringing his hands over his head during his windup. He focused on keeping his hips closed and throwing across his body more. And he began using -- and refining -- a cut fastball that he'd thrown in high school but used alternately during his pro career. The pitch runs in on righthanded hitters and away from lefties.
''I threw that cutter in high school," he said. ''I signed, and they said, 'Put that in your back pocket.' Last year in spring training I was having a hard time really bearing in to righties. I went to [Gulf Coast League pitching coach] Goose [Gregson] and said, 'Mind if I start throwing that?' I got a little happy [using it too much], and they said, 'Put it in your back pocket again, build arm strength.'
''This year it's turned into one of my better pitches."
That cutter, which he throws between 84 and 87 miles per hour, generally on the lower end, makes his fastball (he generally hits 91 or 92 but can reach 94) explode.
''The way we're setting guys up and hitting spots, when you mix in that cutter in on a righthander, it's basically two pitches, fastball in at 90 to 94, cutter in at 85," Lester said. ''I've got two different pitches for them to react to. Then I can throw a changeup on the outside corner or a fastball away. [My cutter] is a big key."
Big enough that Lester got eight strikeouts last night to lead the Eastern League with 144.
''Jon has an excellent fastball," Cherington said. ''He can reach the mid-90s, but more important than that, he shows the ability to command this pitch, change speeds, and go get more velocity when he needs it. He is now the equivalent of a college junior pitching in the Eastern League and clearly his command, feel for pitching, and game preparation have continued to improve, which, along with his innate physical ability, have resulted in an impressive year."
The question, then, is: When is the next promotion to Pawtucket and/or Boston? The Sox won't say. Lester, despite his age, says he feels close, though he acknowledges his immediate focus is not on the next level but on bettering his fourth pitch, a curveball.
''It's been a tricky pitch for me to learn," said Lester, a native of Puyallup, Wash. ''I have it one game, not the next."
And, for as long as it lasts, he's enjoying the feeling of being a staff ace, a role he slid into when Papelbon was promoted to Pawtucket earlier this season.
''It's nice," he said. ''I've never had that feeling before.
''I still have a lot to learn. It's a grind. I've got to learn how to handle the day in, day out ups and downs, adjustments on and off the mound.
''I think I'm ready [for Pawtucket]. But the Red Sox have a plan for us all. If they want me to stay here all season for some reason, that's OK. If they feel I'm ready for Triple A or Boston next year, I'll be ready. I'm here to do what they tell me. If they tell me I'm ready, I'll say, 'Thanks a lot.' "
He's due north
Epstein was headed to Portland to watch Lester and the debut of Craig Hansen as the former St. John's University closer continues what could be a rapid ascent to the big leagues. Hansen, who logged his first save for Portland, was selected 26th overall by the Sox in June, reached an agreement on a major league contract (fours years, $4 million) July 23, and reported the following day to Fort Myers, Fla., for conditioning. The 21-year-old righthander appeared in just two Gulf Coast League games, earning a win and a save. With a high-90s fastball and biting slider, Hansen allowed four hits but no runs in three innings, striking out four and walking none. ''We think Double A is the appropriate level for Craig given his ability," Epstein said. ''Our amateur scouts and our coaching staff in Fort Myers think Craig will get the most out of his outings at the Double A level." Hansen could help the Sox as a September call-up . . . Portland knuckleballer Charlie Zink recorded his first career shutout last Friday, pitching the Sea Dogs to their club-record 14th shutout. The previous record was 12 in 2001, by a staff headed by current Marlins star Josh Beckett. As of midweek, Portland was tied with Triple A Tacoma for the most shutouts in professional baseball . . . Three games into the El Guapo Revival Tour, the line for Rich Garces reads like this: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 IP, 1 H (a homer), 1 R, 4 K, 0 BB . . . The scintillating season continues for Portland center fielder David Murphy, the club's top pick in 2003. Murphy, through Wednesday, was batting .378 (17 for 45) with 13 runs scored in 13 games in August, after hitting a scorching .379 (39 for 103) with 20 runs scored in 28 July games . . . Pawtucket's Dustin Pedroia has begun August with hits in the first nine games, batting .361 (13 for 36) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, and 9 runs, elevating his season average 46 points to .280 . . . Abe Alvarez has struck out 21 and walked none over his last three starts (18 1/3 innings) for Pawtucket. The lefthander has won his last four decisions, improving to 11-4 with a 4.28 ERA.
