Red Sox Minor League Update: August 11-17

As the Major League team looks toward 2015, some of its likely contributors are included in this summary of the Red Sox’ best minor league prospects.

Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A):

Mookie Betts, continues to abuse AAA pitching, going nine for his last 21, raising his already impressive numbers at that level to .335/.418/.500. He has nothing left to prove there and should compete for a spot in the Red Sox outfield next spring.
Henry Owens is still getting settled in at Pawtucket. He turned another average performance, allowing four earned runs over six innings. Owens has continued to strike people out at his prior outstanding rate, 21 in 17.2 innings at AAA.
Edwin Escobar has done nothing but impress since his arrival from the Giants. Escobar has a 1.89 ERA in three starts at Pawtucket, striking out 16 in 19 innings.
Blake Swihart maintained his solid hitting, going four for 14 for the week in three games played.
Anthony Ranaudo has performed solidly at the Major League level, winning his last start vs. Cincinnati this week, allowing four earned runs over six innings. He will resume starting for Pawtucket this week.
Matt Barnes recent seven no-hit innings have been part of a fantastic five-start run for the 2011 first round draft choice. He might be in line for a trip to Fenway. Considering the success of Boston’s front line pitching prospects, his inclusion in a trade package is also not outside the realm of possibility

Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A):

Brian Johnson has been performing all season like Matt Barnes has been performing of late. Johnson’s ERA fell to 1.87 for the season at Portland after this week’s start to go along with a 0.99 WHIP. Expect to see him in Spring Training next season,
Former Orioles farmhand Eduardo Rodriguez has been impressive in his first three starts in the Red Sox organization, pitching to a 1.04 ERA in 17.1 innings with 23 strikeouts.

Greenville Drive (Single-A):

Manuel Margot was promoted during the week to the High-A Salem Red Sox. He has picked up where he left off in Greenville, homering and driving in four runs in his second game there. The future looks bright for the speedy center fielder.
Trey Ball took a step back from his recent run of success. He wasn’t helped by his defense, but he still allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks in two innings of shaky work vs. Savannah.
Sam Travis slowed down from his torrid hitting pace. He was only five for 24 (.208), but he did have his first Greenville home run. He is still hitting .304 there in 14 games

GCL Red Sox (Rookie):

Rafael Devers came back down to Earth this week, managing only one hit in sixteen at-bats. When you are a 17 year old professional player, rough patches are going to happen.
Michael Chavis is really turning his season around. He was five for 12 in three games this week which pushed his average up to .406 over the last ten days, though he still is only hitting .228 for the season.