Sox Pop Six Prospects Into MLB Top 100
If you’re a forward-thinking fan looking to feel good about Boston’s future then Tuesday was a banner day. Six Red Sox prospects made MLB.com’s Top 100 2013 prospects. Here’s a quick rundown.
February 24, 2011; Clearwater, FL, USA; A detailed view of a major league baseball logo on the visitors dugout prior to a spring training exhibition game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida State Seminoles at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Boston placed three prospects in the top 50 and three more in the second 50. No surprise that MLB’s number 20 prospect is Xander Bogaerts, a shortstop who may outgrow the position and move to either third base (Middlebrooks to first base long-term?) or the outfield. Bogaerts is just 20-years old and has an advanced bat, which makes his ceiling extremely high.
Coming in at number 32 is center fielder Jackie Bradley. BSI has run a number of articles on Bradley and his immense talent recently. Many other writers and the Red Sox organization seem aligned; Bradley is a likely replacement for sure-to-be free agent Jacoby Ellsbury. MLB.com’s Evan Drellich projects that both Bogaerts and Bradely will reach Triple-A Pawtucket in 2013.
Former Connecticut Huskie, Matt Barnes, is MLB.com’s number 38 prospect and is the team’s leading pitching prospect. Barnes was Boston’s top pick in the 2011 draft and is projected to spend most of 2013 at Double-A.
Right-handed pitcher, Allen Webster is number 71 on the list. Webster was one of two pitchers, along with Rubby De La Rosa, who came to Boston as part of the 2012 blockbuster Dodger deal last August. Henry Owens, another righty came in at number 94.
Rounding out the top 100 is shortstop Jose Iglesias, checking in at number 96. With a better bat, Iglesias would have been a sure thing to be higher in the group. The fielding human vacuum cleaner has some work to do to not only stay in the top 100 but to finally break into Boston’s lineup.
Boston’s Sweet Six tied them for most on the list with the Marlins, Rangers, Cardinals and Twins.