The trends exhibited in last week’s edition of Minor League Update continued this week. The major offensive prospects in the system: Xander Bogaerts, Garin Cecchini, etc. continued to not only adjust to, but excel at their new levels. However, several of the pitching prospects struggled again with rough starts from Allen Webster and Rubby de la Rosa.
The Pitchers:
- Allen Webster was not only rocked in his major league start against the Mariners this week, he also struggled in today’s start with the PawSox. Although the one walk was a step in the right direction, Webster allowed 5 runs on 8 hits in just 4.2 innings pitched, striking out 6. Webster is still having a good season in Triple-A, with a 3.41 ERA and 66:23 K:BB ratio in 58 innings, but there are certainly concerns for the young right-hander.
- Rubby de la Rosa wasn’t terrible in his one start this week, but he also wasn’t on top of his game. He allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings pitched for the PawSox. De La Rosa has pitched quite well in Pawtucket this year, with a 3.53 ERA and 67:30 K:BB ratio in 63.2 innings pitched; however, he has also struggled after a dominant month of June.
- Henry Owens continued his excellent age 20 season in Salem with a good start this Thursday. In this start, Owens went 6.2 innings, allowing just 2 unearned runs on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 batters. Owens is now 6-4 with a 3.14 ERA and has a K:BB ratio of 97:43 in 86 innings this year. He is deserving of a promotion and may get one to Portland in the coming weeks.
The Hitters:
Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA infielder Garin Cecchini hits a RBI double during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. USA defeated World 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
- Xander Bogaerts extended his superb power streak for the PawSox this week. He continues to adjust well to Triple-A and batted .278 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs with the PawSox, also going 2-3 with a walk in the Futures Game in Citi Field today. On the season with Pawtucket, Bogaerts is now batting .260/.353/.462 and is deserving of a cup of coffee in September.
- Garin Cecchini’s marvelous season continues and he also played in the Futures Game today, going 1-2 with an RBI. In the week for the Sea Dogs, however, he actually struggled for the first time this year as he batted just .154. However, he is still batting .361/.465/.500 with the Sea Dogs this year.
- Blake Swihart didn’t have the greatest week here, batting just .238, but he is continuing to have a quietly solid season in Salem. Along with developing behind the plate, he is a switch-hitter with a respectable slash line of .269/.354/.409. He will continue to move along slowly, but he could develop into an awfully good player soon.