Red Sox prospects on the slide down

Mar 8, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder

(73) at bat against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Brentz was a first round pick who had some serious power credentials in college at Middle Tennessee State. A right-handed power bat is always an attention getter for the Red Sox scouting staff and Brentz certainly provided visions of some serious “Green Monster” denting in their projections. What happened?

Brentz did post some numbers that kept him in the top ten in the Sox prospect depth charts – a position that has now dropped to 19th. In 2013 in only 82 games at Pawtucket, Brentz hammered out 17 home runs while hitting .264. Last season Brentz saw some Boston action hitting .308 in 26 at bats.

Brentz is quite capable defensively from his usual right field location and does display an above average arm. Injuries – including his infamous self-inflicted gunshot wound – have also contributed to some significant down time, but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing.

At Pawtucket, Brentz is hitting in the mid .250s and has continued to show some power with five home runs. With a Boston outfield logjam it appears the only shot for Brentz will be another organization.