A strong year in the Red Sox system was on full display this week. Several impact prospects got back on the horse after some rough streaks as Allen Webster and Garin Cecchini had good weeks. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Anthony Ranaudo and Henry Owens dealt with their first struggles at Triple-A and Double-A, respectively.
The Pitchers:
- Allen Webster has finally strung together some good starts after a stretch of having terrible control issues. Webster made two starts this week, and while he did not have his best stuff in either one, he also only walked two batters combined. In the two starts this week, Webster threw 10.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 11 hits, walking 2 and striking out 10. Those numbers look solid but unspectacular on the surface, but it’s great to see his control issues dissipating. Webster’s ERA now stands at 3.97 and his walk rate has shrunk to a still iffy 3.86.
- Henry Owens was stellar in his first Double-A start, and continued to dominate in his second; however, he was not quite as good as in his first start. Owens only lasted 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. However, the dominant part comes in that he struck out 8 batters through those 4 innings. Owens’ strikeout numbers are through the roof in Double-A, as he has a 19:3 K:BB ratio through his first 10 Double-A innings to go with a 1.80 ERA.
- Anthony Ranaudo also made his second start at a new level this week, and also was not nearly as dominant as the first time around. However, it is great to see the control issues that plagued him in his latter weeks in Double-A disappearing. While Ranaudo allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings, he only walked 2 and now has a 3.27 ERA in Triple-A.
The Hitters:
Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder
Xander Bogaerts(2) scores a run past USA catcher
Austin Hedges(24) during the first inning of the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
- Xander Bogaerts had himself a mini slump a few weeks back, but that’s hard to remember because of the way he has been hitting lately. This past week, he batted .300 with 1 double and 4 RBIs. With Will Middlebrooks in the majors, Bogaerts should be prepping everyday to get to the majors and his .284/.368/.456 slash line is a good start.
- Jackie Bradley Jr. came off the disabled list on Friday, and has been hitting well in his three games since. In that trio of games, he batted .364 with 1 homer and 3 RBIs and is now hitting .278/.379/.498 at Triple-A this year.
- Garin Cecchini was also mired in a little slump as recently as last week, but he came through and broke out this week. He hit .350 with a remarkable 7 walks as his OBP is stellar this year; his slash line stands at .301/.424/.411 in Portland.