Red Sox’ 2 trade acquisitions reach 100.5 mph, 99.6 mph; ‘We have velo now’

Boston Red Sox players celebrate after beating the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)Getty Images

 Jordan Hicks‘s big-time velocity was on display in his Red Sox debut Monday.

Hicks, a 28-year-old righty who Boston acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade, got Reds’ Rece Hinds to ground out on a 100.5 mph sinker. He also struck out Tyler Stephenson looking on a 99.5 mph sinker in a perfect eighth inning.

The Red Sox won 13-6 over Cincinnati here at Fenway Park to improve to 42-44.

Hicks entered with Boston ahead by four runs but manager Alex Cora said he also would have used him there with a one-run lead.

He plans to use Hicks in late-inning, high-leverage spots.

“It didn’t matter. He was pitching the eighth,” Cora said. “And I think today was one of those days that we’ve been talking about the last few years. We have velocity now. We have velo in the bullpen — something we didn’t have for a while there. The last two guys, (Jorge) Alcala and Hicks throwing 100."

Alcala, who the Red Sox acquired in a trade with the Twins on June 11, reached 99.6 mph during the ninth inning.

Meanwhile, Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has reached 103.8 mph with his sinker this season.

“And I think PD (player development) is doing an outstanding job in the minor leagues (increasing velo),” Cora said. “I’m not saying that’s going to be the route but we’re excited where we’re at.”

Hicks’ eight sinkers averaged 99.2 mph and he threw two in the triple digits. He also mixed in two splitters.

Alcala averaged 98.5 mph with his 10 four-seam fastballs and 97.5 mph with his four sinkers.

There was a desire in the organization to add more high-end velocity to the bullpen after Boston ranked 25th out of 30 major league clubs in relief pitcher average fastball velocity (93.8 mph) in 2023. The Red Sox improved in 2024 (averaging 94.2 mph) but not enough. They were still tied for 20th.