Garrett Whitlock Prepares Red Sox Rookies for October Baseball

NEW YORK – Garrett Whitlock is the only Red Sox player on the active roster who has navigated the pressures of October baseball. He made his postseason debut on Oct. 5, 2021, striking out the side in a high-stakes Wild Card game against the Yankees. Now, four years later, he enters the playoffs as a mentor to younger teammates.

Whitlock’s journey with the Red Sox began after they selected him in the Rule 5 draft, taking him from the Yankees. He has since developed into a key player for the team. As the Red Sox clinched their playoff spot on Friday, he began teaching rookies like Connelly Early and Payton Tolle how to handle the intense atmosphere of postseason play.

“I sit back there because that’s what Nate [Eovaldi] did with me,” Whitlock said, referring to his former teammate who served as a mentor in 2021. “If they have questions, I hope I’m open to it.” Whitlock enjoys sharing his experiences and guiding the newcomers through the complexities of October.

Veteran pitcher Liam Hendriks emphasized that each pitch carries greater weight in the postseason. “There’s more pressure on each individual pitch,” he told the Herald. Hendriks noted that success can depend on how players manage that pressure. He recalled how different opponents, like the Houston Astros, stepped up their game during the playoffs.

On Friday, Whitlock also focused on instilling confidence in his teammates. He recalled advice he received from Chris Sale: “Don’t be afraid to suck.” He has shared this philosophy with younger players, encouraging them to trust their training rather than let anxiety dictate their performance.

The team atmosphere has shifted as veterans like Trevor Story and Rob Refsnyder foster camaraderie among the players. After the Red Sox’s clinching celebration, manager Alex Cora embraced Whitlock, Story, and Refsnyder, recognizing their contributions and struggles over the past few seasons.

“It means everything,” Story said. “We’ve been working all year to get this done–even three or four years to get it done.” He reflected on his own journey, which included battling injuries, as he prepared for his return to postseason play.

As the team looks ahead to the playoffs, Whitlock wishes to ensure that rookies appreciate this special moment and the hard work that led them here. “This doesn’t happen every day,” he reminded them. “Enjoy it.”