Talented young right-hander Jon Papelbon displays big-league stuff in spots, but more importantly he shows his Boston teammates exactly what he's made of.

09:06 AM EST on Friday, March 25, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Jon Papelbon's pitching line wasn't anything special yesterday. But the pitcher himself sure was.

AP photo

Top Red Sox prospect Jon Papelbon gave a fairly good accounting of himself on the mound against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, and not just because of the way he threw the baseball.

The Red Sox' fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft, Papelbon got a taste of what it's like to face major league hitters, getting a start against the Baltimore Orioles. But equally as important, Papelbon showed he already knew what it's like to be a big league teammate.

In the middle of what would be his final inning of work in this spring audution, Papelbon buzzed slugger Sammy Sosa in the fourth, a half-inning after Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera, having pitched inside to Kevin Youkilis before drilling Jay Payton in the hands, had raised the Red Sox' ire.

Ahead of Sosa 0-and-1, Papelbon delivered a pitch with purpose, backing up Sosa with a high-and-tight fastball, an obvious bit of retribution for Cabrera's wildness. Sosa took a a step toward Papelbon, but the rookie never flinched.

Asked if Papelbon had made an impression on his temporary teammates after the Sox and Orioles finished in a 5-5 tie in 10 innings, Johnny Damon gave a knowing smile.

"Absolutely," said Damon. "I loved everything about him. He showed good toughness. I liked his stuff before. I like it even better now."

For his part, Papelbon insisted the pitch to Sosa wasn't a message.

"I'm trying to get him out," said Papelbon. "I had him 0-and-1 and I've got a guy on first. I'm not trying to put another guy on. I'm trying to get an out."

But Papelbon's willingness to protect his hitters -- whether he wanted to publicly acknowledge that was his goal or not -- wasn't lost on others.

"No one said a thing to him," said a member of the organization. "We didn't have to. That got our attention."

So, too, did the rest of his outing. Though Papelbon allowed four runs on five hits with two walks, a balk and two strikeouts, there was plenty to like.

After a bloop single, a walk and a balk put Orioles at second and third with no out in the first, he caught Melvin Mora looking at a called third strike, got Miguel Tejada on a sacrifice fly and got Sammy Sosa to fly to left.

He had a one, two, three second inning and after allowing a leadoff homer to Luis Matos to start the third, he retired the next three hitters before getting into trouble in the fourth with two singles and a double.

But there were glimpses and the Red Sox liked what they saw. There was the changeup that completely fooled Sosa after the brushback.

"He wasn't intimidated by anything and he was facing some pretty big names," said pitching coach Dave Wallace. "I think it was a great opportunity for him. He showed poise and had good stuff."

"It was a lot of fun to watch him pitch," said Francona. "I can see why the organziation was so high on him. He gathered himself in the first inning. I think the experience was good for him."

"I really didn't think about who I was up there hitting," Papelbon said. "I was trying to execute my pitches."

In his first full season of minor league ball, Papelbon dominated in the Florida State League last year, finishing 12-7 with a 2.64 E.R.A. in 24 starts. The Red Sox' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, he struck out 153 in 129 2/3 innings.

Papelbon is ticketed for Double A Portland to start the season and should continue to progress quickly. He and lefty Jon Lester project as young pitchers who could impact the Red Sox' rotation for years to come, ending a dry spell for an organization which hasn't developed a starter for its own use in a decade.

"This year is definitely going to be a big step for me," Papelbon said. "I'm going to concentrate on the mental part of the game. I'm not going to worry about reaching the big leagues. I'm just going to take it one day at a time. I still have to go out and perform and prove myself."

"His curve needs work," said Damon. "But I think he's going to help us -- and soon."

As he already showed yesterday.