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.