BOSTON – Former Auburn right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts has been called up to the Boston Red Sox and will make the start in his Major League Baseball debut against the Chicago White Sox Sunday.
Fitts becomes the 62nd player in program history to make it to the big leagues, including the fourth this season. He also becomes the 11th former Tiger to make their MLB debut since the beginning of the 2020 season, the second most in the Southeastern Conference during the span.
A three-year member of the Auburn program from 2019-21, Fitts was used both as a starter and reliever in his role with the Tigers and turned in six career wins and a save with 104 strikeouts in 117.0 innings pitched.
As a freshman in 2019, the Helena, Alabama, native played a pivotal role in Auburn’s run to the College World Series. He earned wins in both regional play at Georgia Tech, turning in 6.0 scoreless innings against the Yellow Jackets, and super regional play at North Carolina, picking up the decision in 5.1 innings in the decisive game three against the Tar Heels.
After earning preseason All-America accolades prior to 2021, Fitts pitched injured for much of his junior season but went on to be selected by the New York Yankees in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
In 73 minor league appearances over the last three seasons, including 72 starts, he has earned 27 wins and logged a 3.75 ERA with 405 strikeouts in 381.1 innings pitched. Fitts was named a 2022 MiLB Organizational All-Star and 2023 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year with the Yankees before being traded to Boston in December 2023.
In 24 appearances and 23 starts with Triple-A Worcester this season, the Red Sox No. 3 pitching prospect according to MLB.com has won nine games and turned in a 4.17 ERA. In his last six starts he is 4-0 and has turned in a 2.38 ERA with 37 strikeouts and four walks in 34.0 innings pitched.
The Red Sox wrap up a series against the White Sox Sunday at 12:35 p.m. CT at Fenway Park.