TRACK RECORD: Bazardo signed for $8,000 as an undersized 18-year-old in Venezuela. Though he always featured a potentially plus breaking ball with huge spin rates, and he has been a consistently excellent late-innings performer as a pro, he was left unprotected and went undrafted in the 2019 Rule 5 draft. During the shutdown, Bazardo stayed at the Red Sox's Dominican academy, where he added 10 pounds and emerged at instructional league with a fastball that ticked up from the low 90s to hold at 94-97 mph.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bazardo always featured excellent arm speed, the ability to spin the ball and a willingness to attack the strike zone. He started his pro career as a fastball/curveball pitcher who struggled against lefthanded hitters, but the addition of a slider helped him even his splits. He profiled as a depth reliever before his velocity bump allowed his fastball to tick up a grade or two. He's also started developing a splitter.

THE FUTURE: Bazardo probably profiles as a mid-innings reliever, but his four-pitch mix and command give him a chance as a swingman or an opener. His addition to the 40-man roster reflects the possibility he could reach the big leagues in 2021.