Nazzan Zanetello and Antonio Anderson grew up more than 500 miles apart, but they still became nearly inseparable through their time playing together on the summer showcase circuit.
Now, they’ll have a chance to continue their journey together as members of the Red Sox.
Boston’s second- and third-round selections in this year’s MLB Draft, Zanetello and Anderson officially signed with the Red Sox on Saturday and took batting practice on the field at Fenway Park for the first time ahead of Sunday night’s game against the New York Mets.
“It’s just surreal, being with Antonio,” said Zanetello, who popped a couple out over the Green Monster. “Playing with him the last two summers, all the summer events with him, Breakthrough, Dream Series, PG, you name it we were together. So to be here still together, being drafted together and rooming together down in Fort Myers, means a lot to me.”
Both talented high school shortstops out of St. Louis and Atlanta, respectively, Zanetello and Anderson were widely regarded as two of the best pure athletes in the draft. The pair first became acquainted two years ago when Zanetello’s USA Prime National club was down a couple of players for a tournament in Atlanta, and Anderson was brought in to help give them a boost.
“We’ve been bonding ever since,” Anderson said. “Now we’re closest friends.”
Zanetello and Anderson both reportedly signed for well over their draft slot’s projected value, with Zanetello receiving a $3 million bonus and Anderson $1.5 million. The two said the past couple of weeks since the draft have been exciting and nerve-wracking, but they’re excited to finally be signed and are ready to begin their professional careers.
“Being able to finally to put that pen to paper and make it all official and coming here to hit at Fenway, it felt a lot better than sitting there calling myself a Red Sox,” Zanetello said. “Now I’m officially a Red Sox.”
“This is a dream come true we might get to play a decade together,” Anderson said. “It’s exciting to do all of this together.”
The two will join the rest of Boston’s newly signed draft picks in Fort Myers and hope to begin playing in minor league games by mid-August. Overall Boston has signed 18 out of 22 selections, including 15 of its top 16 picks.
Right-hander John Schreiber (right teres major strain) is back with the Red Sox and is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. He wrapped up his rehab assignment with back-to-back appearances on Wednesday and Thursday for the Portland Sea Dogs, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora said they opted to give him a couple extra days of rest so he’d be full go once activated.
“He wasn’t going to be available, so we’ll wait until Tuesday,” Cora said.
Schreiber has been on the injured list since May 16, but prior to then has posted a 2.12 ERA in 18 appearances out of the bullpen. His return will give the Red Sox a key right-handed option in high-leverage situations, bolstering a group that also includes closer Kenley Jansen, top set-up man Chris Martin and Josh Winckowski.
Cora also announced second baseman Christian Arroyo jammed his right thumb earlier this week in Oakland, which is why he’s been out of the lineup for four straight games. Cora said Arroyo is available to come off the bench, but they’re trying to stay away from him if possible.
Chris Sale (stress reaction in right shoulder blade) played catch on Sunday and is scheduled to throw an up-and-down on Tuesday. Reese McGuire (right oblique strain) will begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday with the WooSox.
Though Alex Verdugo isn’t dealing with any injuries, Cora acknowledged that he was being held out of Sunday’s lineup to give him a reset after an extended slump that’s seen him go 2 for 26 (.077) since the All-Star break.
“He’s been late on fastballs, out in front of off speed pitches, swinging and missing more than usual,” Cora said. “So giving him a day today will hopefully help him out.”
Trevor Story was back at shortstop Sunday in Portland, returning to the field for his third game since beginning his rehab assignment on Friday. He went 1 for 2 with a walk and a strikeout, and more importantly from the Red Sox perspective, made a number of plays in the field, including an athletic gem in which he ranged to his right and threw across his body to nail the runner at first.
That play also preserved what wound up being a combined no-hitter for the Sea Dogs.
Pitchers Wikelman Gonzalez, Brendan Cellucci and Luis Guerrero combined for the seventh no-hitter in Sea Dogs franchise history, shutting down the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for the 6-2 win. Gonzalez struck out 10 over six innings but also walked four, including two in the sixth inning to set up an RBI ground out to first. Cellucci then threw two scoreless innings and Guerrero walked two and allowed a sacrifice fly in the ninth before closing out the win.