Red Sox prospects on the slide down

Feb 25, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher

poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox are proud holders of one of the highest ranked farm systems in baseball, but the evaluation of players is constantly changing. The fact is that many “can’t miss” do exactly that. Just some recent names show either a career gone or one that is on baseball life support.

Daniel Bard was supposed to be the closer of the future and his future is certainly in doubt. Ryan Lavarnway was the big right hand bat with 30+ home run potential and a catcher – a great combination. Ryan Kalish was devastated by injuries. Lars Anderson never did much and just think of the promise and sudden fade of Will Middlebrooks.

The Red Sox now have another batch of prospects who are slipping in the rankings or have stalled in the development process. Here are a few.

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman

(70) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training baseball game at

Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Garin Cecchini was ranked as high as 4th on Sox Prospects and has now spiraled down to 13th place. The now twenty-four-year-old has switched positions and moved from third base to the outfield at Pawtucket.

The former fourth round pick has been something of a power mystery since he is physically – at 6’ 3” and 220 pounds – the type of hitter you expect to simply mash. The gap power has diminished and the long ball power never materialized.

The left-handed hitting Cecchini is now under the Mendoza Line and his once notable OPS hovers near .500. Cecchini continues to elevate his strike out total and the various metrics have dropped precipitously. Cecchini has reached that spot where his roster spot may be eliminated.

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.

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

(80) dives for a ball and misses 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

What has happened to Sean Coyle?

Coyle is a personal favorite and I love watching his style of play and the comparisons to Dustin Pedroia. Coyle hit 16 home runs and swatted .295 in only 97 games at Portland in 2014. The move to Pawtucket was a natural for the 23-year-old third round pick. However, warning signs surfaced in the fall.

In the Arizona Fall League Coyle slashed .209/.303/.343 in 19 games. At Pawtucket this season Coyle has flashed his right-handed power with four home runs in 22 games, but that average has sunk faster than the DOW in 2008 as Coyle is hitting less than his weight.

Is it an adjustment issue? Triple-A is another big step for any young player and Coyle does have a world of talent. Maybe the next month or two will show an adjustment and Coyle can get out of the offensive doldrums.

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman

(77) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nice to get a call-up and even briefly as Travis Shaw did recently. Shaw is a 25-year-old ninth round pick who is rather stagnant at Pawtucket. Shaw is also a physical doppelganger for Lars Anderson. At this juncture Shaw has dropped to 23rd position on Sox Prospects.

Shaw, a left-handed first baseman – is well under .200 at Pawtucket and has not displayed the power expected. In 2014 Shaw hit 10 home runs for the PawSox in 81 games and another 11 in 47 games for Portland.

Son of former relief pitcher, Jeff Shaw, Travis needs to start demonstrating some power and jumping his average up to get attention – most likely from other teams. Shaw has limited skills in the field and speed is not part of his game, so his calling card is his bat and that bat is taking a siesta.