Slugger Bryce Brentz Happy To Be Back With Boston Red Sox Organization After Injury Filled Year Away

Bryce Brentz signed with the Boston Red Sox as a minor league free agent on January 10, 2019. 

But this wasn’t the first time the 30-year-old has signed a contract with the Red Sox organization. The Crossville, Tennessee native was drafted by Boston in the supplemental round of the 2010 June draft and spent the first 8 seasons of his professional career with the Red Sox organization. 

Boston who had depth in the outfield and no spot for the slugger in the Big Leagues traded Brentz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in February of 2018 for cash considerations.

Brentz was coming off a season in which he belted 31 home runs and drove in 85 runs for the PawSox with a .271 batting average and was looking for his big break. 

After a quick stint in the Pirates organization Brentz was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets in March of 2018. 

“I learned how all good things have to come to an end. Nervous being the first year of free agency, not knowing what is going to happen. But, also went through that processes this year and it was little better. Now we are back in a place were we are comfortable. That is the biggest thing for me family, and comfortable with routine and where we are going.”  Brentz said on Media night. 

Brentz who spent parts of 6 seasons in Pawtucket is happy to be back saying:” It’s pretty good, it’s good to see some familiar faces.. being back with the people up here is pretty exciting.”

The former Middle Tennessee State University standout said the decision to come back to the Red Sox organization was easy for him and his family. 

“First class all the way, the way they do stuff and to be able to have opportunists here. They are not afraid to call people up, and I feel like that is the reason why I signed back.”

Brentz’s 2018 campaign was a rather difficult one for the 2017 Triple-A Home Run Derby Champion who missed nearly three months of the season due a fractured foot. 

In 2019 Brentz is just trying to stay out on the field all year. 

“Personally for me? Be healthy and just do what I need to do. I feel like, stay on the field, accomplish what I need to accomplish. Other than that, as far as the team. The whole goal is to get everybody to the big leagues , help out the team. While we are here, win and bring a championship home as well.”

Pawtucket who hired a new manager this off-season, Billy McMillon, is a familiar face for Brentz. 

McMillon was Brentz’s second manager as a pro in Greenville back in 2011. Brentz has some advice for his teammates. 

“Got to be on time, be professional, get your work in. Play the game the right way and everything will be ok.” 

Brentz and the PawSox will kick off their 2019 season on Thursday at Tim Tebow’s Syracuse Mets. 

“We’re excited, spent some time down in Flordia and now we are back up here in the cold. Everyone is getting ready to go, it’s going to be pretty fun.”