Will Red Sox Opening Day starter be a 24-year-old? It’s ‘a goal’ for righty

With Chris Sale gone via trade and free agent James Paxton not re-signed, Brayan Bello knows he has a chance to be the Red Sox’s 2024 Opening Day starter.

“After this winter fest, I’m going straight to Florida to get ready to try to compete for that spot,” Bello said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez on Saturday at Red Sox Winter Weekend. “Even if I don’t get to be the Opening Day starter, I want to be up there — the first or second starter. So yeah, that’s my mentality. To compete for a top (spot) in the rotation.”

The 24-year-old Bello enjoyed a nice first full season in the majors in ‘23, posting a 4.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 28 starts. He averaged 7.6 strikeouts and 2.6 walks per nine innings.

“I think that’s the goal that pretty much every starter has: To try to compete to throw Opening Day,” Bello said. “And that’s one of the goals I have for my career. Not only this year but for the years to come, to be the No. 1 pitcher in the Boston organization and that’s why I want to compete for that spot.”

Bello has especially worked on his slider this offseason. Opponents batted .304 with a .457 slugging percentage against the pitch last year.

“I’ve been focusing on the slider and the command of the pitch,” Bello said. “At this point, I feel comfortable with the command of the slider. So we’ll see in spring training.”

Bello’s best pitch last season was his changeup. Opponents batted .196 with a .171 expected batting average against it.

“My two best pitches, they do pretty much the same thing. My sinker and my changeup, they break to the same side,” Bello said. “So for me, to have a pitch that will go to the other side, it was huge. Last year, I was able to compete with those two pitches. This year, I think that third one will be even better for me.”

Bello said he feels more confident and relaxed with one full season completed. He said he doesn’t feel like he has to put pressure on himself or prove who he can be to others.

“And that allows me to compete at a higher level,” Bello said.