Red Sox Pawtucket Prospect watch

Mar 15, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddie Galvis (13) prepares to tag out Boston Red Sox catcher

(71) in the second inning of the spring training game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Swihart is the highest ranked catcher in minor league baseball. A fast rising player who is mentioned – probably first – by ever GM seeking trade discussions with Boston. Swihart, 23- years old, has elicited comparisons to Buster Posey and Joe Mauer, but I would not go down that route. Both are exceptional talents who, to this observer, were far more advanced than Swihart.

What I see is a potential Ted Simmons with less power. Both are switch hitters and physically very similar. So far at Pawtucket, Swihart has impressed.

Sharing catching duties with veterans Matt Spring and Humberto Quintero, Swihart has also seen limited action at DH. The early surprise has been a lack of gap power. Swihart has only three doubles and no home runs, but, as noted, early season evaluations certainly do not necessarily indicate a trend.

Defensively Swihart had no passed balls in 2014, yet has three in the young season. Dismiss it. All were with knuckleballer Steven Wright pitching. His CS% is at 25% and, again, early going. Swihart’s current slash line is .309/.345/.364.

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop

(80) waits for the ball during a spring training baseball game at McKechnie Field. The Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Coyle is just fun to watch. A gritty 23-year old who is small of stature, yet demonstrates some surprising punch. Laser Show part deux?

At Portland Coyle put 16 out of the yard in only 97 games and has gone deep three times at Pawtucket. Coyle started the season well under the famed Mendoza Line, but has since surfaced above .200. Coyle has a quick bat that can often be a hit or miss operation.

Coyle is not a top ten prospect, but there is something about his everyman style that hopes he gets a shot somewhere.

Mar 31, 2015; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

Jr. (25) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The sad tale of Jackie Bradley. The wunderkind who sparkled in spring training a few seasons ago only to implode. The stats are well documented with an MLB slash line of .196/.268/.280 and a swing with more holes in it than a prairie dog colony.

Bradley is not a good outfielder, nor a great one – he is a premier one. In center field you look for the ability to close the gaps, charge the ball, go back on the ball, have a strong-arm and lastly an accurate arm. The five tool defensive folder. Bradley has it. But what about the bat?

Bradley, who has never hit .300 at Portland or Pawtucket, is currently slashing .290/.364/.377 with 12 strikeouts in 69 at bats. The strikeouts are down and the contact is up. If Bradley can ever hover in the .275 range he would certainly have value for Boston or another team. The long term is what will his stat line look like in June?

Mar 19, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher

(76) pitches in the third inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox fans are suffering the worst of the worst with an inconsistent rotation. Can anything be more frustrating to watch than a stellar performance followed by a clunker? That is Henry Owens in the early going.

The talent is there as Owens, 22-years old, is one of the highest ranked left-handers in the minors. His speed is just a shade over 90 MPH and that is a bit quirky since Owens is one tall pitcher. I thought Sam McDowell when I first saw his size.

Owens does it with stealth and the main ingredient is a very skilful change that he spots off his fastball. When you toss a 91 MPH heater after a 75 MPH change, makes his change his calling card. Development of another quality pitch and improved location is the key. Owens also has an attitude conducive to improvement. Last spring and this spring the bad outing did not send Owens into a funk. That, to me, is a key ingredient to his further development.

Owens has had three starts at Pawtucket and you will not get a quick shot in Boston if you walk more than you strikeout. Owens has allowed only nine hits in 16 frames yet has managed to walk 14 and punch out 13. Translation is simple: A WHIP that staggers in at 1.44.

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(79) throws a pitch during fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Eduardo Rodriguez was brought over from the Baltimore system for Andrew Miller. At Portland in 2014 Rodriguez certainly captured the attention of the Sox’ evaluators with a 0.96 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Rodriguez, a 22-year old left-hander, may have a future as a starter or out of the bullpen. At this juncture the PawSox have him in the rotation and Rodriguez has picked up where he left off at Portland.

In three starts Rodriguez has thrown 18.2 innings and allowed a grand total of one walk while striking out 16. His WHIP is at a microscopic 0.70 in the early going and his ERA checks in at 1.93.

Rodriguez throws hard and has topped out in the high 90s. Toss in a decent change, a respectable slider and the ability to locate and Boston may have a steal from the O’s.