Red Sox Minor League RoundUp: March 2015

Mar 9, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

(50) at bat against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Today’s Mornin’ Chowda will be taking a moment to announce the article series starting this month called Minor League Roundup. It is the farm system that helped players like Mookie Betts become breakout stars in Major League Baseball, and it is here that teams look for the future of their clubs.

The last week of each month will be spent by breaking down each of the Boston Red Sox minor league affiliates, from each team’s monthly record, their starting rotation, bullpen, position players, and highlighting prospects to watch. Whenever a player has moved throughout the system, you will be informed with analysis as to why the moves have been made.

Let’s take a look at each of the teams to see where they stand at this point:

*Note: All statistics were used from www.MiLB.com

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher

(71) hits a 3-run home run during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training baseball game at

Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A: Pawtucket Red Sox (International League)

Last Season:

The 2014 season saw the Red Sox earn second place in the North division, with a record of 79-65. They were a much better team away from Pawtucket, posting 10 games above .500 (41-31), while being 38-34 at home. Their record was enough to clinch the wildcard spot in the postseason, where they clinched a second IL title in three years.

This Season:

Unfortunately, that championship may be the last one that Pawtucket gets to enjoy. Not because the team will not be good enough to compete, but because the team itself will likely be moving in a couple of years.

The Boston Globe‘s Brian MacQuarrie reported in early March of the sale of the team even earlier in the year, where the new ownership has plans to move the team to Providence, Massachusetts. Citizens are outraged because of their deep connection to the team. MacQuarrie stated that “what gives Pawtucket a cachet beyond tiny Rhode Island is its baseball team, which has funneled players to the Boston Red Sox for 45 years.”

WHDH.com also reported, however, that “An area along the Providence River that was mentioned as a possible site for the new ballpark is actually designated to be used for a public park, according to a federal land plan. Officials said they have not received a proposal to change that.” This issue means that you should expect the team to remain in Pawtucket at least for the near future. Just do not expect that issue to continue, considering the new ownership is run by Providence attorney James Skeffington and Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino. Between those two minds, a deal will undoubtedly get done.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on watching top prospects like Blake Swihart play with the big club, you should watch him with Pawtucket, as the best player not named Yoan Moncada will likely be catching in Triple-A this summer.

Click the link to see Pawtucket’s own spring training schedule: Pawtucket Red Sox 2015 Spring Training

First Away Game of 2015: April 9th vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

First Home Game of 2015: April 16th vs. Rochester Red Wings

Feb 24, 2015; Ft. Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher

(76) during workout drills at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A: Portland Sea Dogs (Eastern League)

Last Season:

Lefty starting pitcher Henry Owens took his 6’6″ frame and dominated in Portland so much, he was sent up to Pawtucket for his efforts. He earned a record of 14-4, with an earned run average of 2.60 and 126 strikeouts to only 47 walks. Owens also had three complete games and two shutouts.

This effort helped the Sea Dogs earn a record of 88-54, clinching the top spot in the Eastern division. The team was pretty even home(46-26) and away (42-28). However, the Sea Dogs lost in the EL semifinals to the Binghamton Mets 3-2 in a five-game series. Even within that short span, the team showed its power by hitting 9 home runs and 25 RBIs. The Sea Dogs slugged for .480, which helped their .272 batting average. Their regular season batting average was not much different at .268, to rank fourth in the EL.

The pitching staff, with and without Owens, was potent, as well. They earned the top spot in the EL with a 3.41 team ERA, 9 complete games, 14 shutouts, and gave up the fewest total runs (461). However, they were in the middle of the pack for both strikeouts (992) and walks (362).

This Season:

Much of last season’s offence had to do with players like Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart, and Travis Shaw, all of whom have moved up to either Boston or Pawtucket. Henry Ramos was also a big help and may likely be with Portland this summer. In 48 games, Ramos hit .326, with a .368 on-base percentage, 2 home runs, and 23 RBIs. The 22-year-old right fielder will look to continue his quick rise to success in 2015, after spending only one season in Class-A (Advanced) before making the leap in 2014 to Portland.

Click on the link for a complete 2015 schedule: 2015 Portland Sea Dogs

First Away Game of 2015: April 16th vs. Trenton Thunder

First Home Game of 2015: April 9th vs. Reading Fightin’ Phils

Class-A: Greenville Drive (South Atlantic League)

Last Season:

The Drive was not pretty in 2014, as Greenville found themselves in fifth place in the Southern division, missing the playoffs. The team earned a record of 60-79, with being much better at home (37-33) than away (23-46). As a team, Greenville hit .261, to be in the middle of the league’s pack. The most that the team could tip their hat for is being third in the league in getting on base, with a .341 OBP. Much of that had to do with having the most free trips to first base by any team (531).

Third basemen Carlos Asuaje and Jantzen Witte made up for most of the runs being scored, hitting 73 and 54 respectively. Second baseman Wendell Rijo was also quick on the rise, hitting a mere .254 but earning a .348 OBP, 9 home runs, and 46 RBIs in 111 games for The Drive.

This Season:

While Asuaje and Witte made their way to Salem, expect Rijo to hone his skills in Greenville, at least for the 2015 season. If that isn’t enough to attract you to the wonders of South Carolina, make sure you check out the above video. If you live in a cave, that’s the only way that you have not heard of Yoan Moncada coming to the Boston Red Sox organization. It is likely that Moncada will be lighting up Greenville with his play, as well as the media spotlight. This arrival, however, puts Rijo’s status into question, as Moncada is a natural second baseman, and Boston will want to make the 19-year-old feel as comfortable as possible.

Click the link for the full schedule: 2015 Greenville Drive

First Away Game of 2015: April 16th vs. Asheville Tourists

First Home Game of 2015: April 9th vs. Augusta Green Jackets

Mar 9, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman

(70) at bat against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Class-A (Short Season): Lowell Spinners (New York – Penn League)

*Rookie Ball will be covered in the regular season

Last Season:

Back in 2011, third base prospect Garin Cecchini hit .298, with a .398 OBP, a .500 SLG, and 23 RBIs in 32 games for the Spinners. In 2014, Lowell could have used him.

The Spinners found themselves third in the Stedler division, out of the postseason. The team’s record was 37-38, being relatively the same at home (17-21) as away (20-17). As a team, the Spinners did not hit for average badly. They hit .267 for second place in the league and totaled 290 RBIs. One major issue, however, was their .319 OBP, which was the middle of the pack. Combine that with their last place 4.20 ERA and you have a well-hitting team always playing catch-up with little runners on base to drive home.

This Season:

Look for third baseman Jordan Betts and shortstop Mauricio Dubon to continue their success from last season in Lowell. They hit 40 and 34 RBIs, respectively, while Dubon hit .320, just under left fielder Nick Longhi‘s .330 batting average. First baseman Sam Travis led the team in batting average (.333), but he has already made the move up to Greenville.

Click the link for the full schedule: 2015 Lowell Spinners

First Away Game of 2015: June 19 vs. Vermont Lake Monsters

First Home Game of 2015: June 18 vs. Nashua Silver Knights