Mar 8, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Henry Owens (76) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
One more week through the Red Sox’ organization and let’s take a look at how a few of Boston’s top prospects performed this week.
Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A):
- Mookie Betts, after being demoted to Triple-A, has picked up right where he left off. In four games this week, Boston’s top prospect went 6-17 (.353) with 3 doubles and 3 walks. He continues to excel at Triple-A, where he has hit .325/.412/.500 this year, and will be on the fast track to stardom as soon as a spot opens on the Red Sox.
- Henry Owens finally has earned his promotion to Pawtucket after dominating the Eastern League for over a year and impressed in his first start. In his PawSox debut, Owens tossed 6.2 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits and 3 walks as he fanned 9 batters. Unfortunately, his second start was not so impressive today as he allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. He should close out the season in Pawtucket and spend the majority of next year there as well, but the Owens era is not far from beginning in Boston.
- Blake Swihart made his PawSox debut alongside Owens this week and, through his first five games in Triple-A, he is slashing .263/.263/.526 with a home run and a triple. Swihart has impressed immensely in his time in the Red Sox organization and could very well be in Boston by this time next season.
- Anthony Ranaudo made his Major League debut last Friday but was optioned right back to Pawtucket afterwards and started for the PawSox this Friday. He did not have a great start, allowing 4 runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings but his 5:1 K:BB ratio is encouraging and one bad start doesn’t take away from Ranaudo’s very impressive 2014 season.
- Matt Barnes continued his recent run of success this week with another quality performance this Saturday. Over 6 strong inning, Barnes allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He has lowered his ERA to 4.36 on the season and is among many arms clamoring for a spot in Boston’s crowded rotation.
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A):
- Brian Johnson, similar to Barnes, has been on a tear lately and that streak certainly continued this week. Johnson dominated the Bowie BaySox this Tuesday with 8 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and striking out 5 batters. He has been phenomenal this season with a 1.89 ERA in Portland and ought to be in Pawtucket to begin next season.
- Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston’s return in the Andrew Miller trade, got off to a quick start with the Sea Dogs last week and that continued in his Friday start. Rodriguez dazzled against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, tossing 6 shutout innings and striking out 9 batters, lowering his ERA to 4.31 on the year and a sparkling 0.79 with the Sea Dogs.
Greenville Drive (Single-A):
- Manuel Margot has been marvelous recently and had a phenomenal last week for the Drive, going 12-30 (.400) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, and 2 stolen bases while posting multiple-hit performances in all but one of his games. Boston’s high-ceiling outfield prospect is impressing for the Drive with a .280/.349/.440 slash line with 10 home runs and 36 steals at age 20.
- Trey Ball has continually improved throughout the year and he had a great start for the Drive on Tuesday. Ball threw 6 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and 3 walks, lowering his ERA to 5.33 on the season, still not great but certainly much-improved from his rough start to the year.
- Sam Travis earned himself a promotion to Greenville after a strong start to his professional career and that has continued in the South Atlantic League. In six games this week, Travis went 6-23 (.261) with 3 of those hits being doubles. He is now slashing .367/.424/.500 for the Drive and is fulfilling his reputation as a solid first baseman who could move quickly through the system.
GCL Red Sox (Rookie):
- Rafael Devers‘ incredible pace has slowed down recently but he’s still producing well for the GCL Red Sox. This week, he went 5-19 (.263) with 1 triple and 2 home runs; however, he is still slashing a great .340/.403/.557 with 4 home runs for the GCL Red Sox. He looks like the type of player that could cement himself as a top prospect for the Red Sox within the next year.
- Michael Chavis got off to a slow start after his first-round selection but has picked it up lately, going 5-15 (.333) with 2 doubles this week. However, he’s still slashing a measly .184/.295/.263 this season.