Jun 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Deven Marrero (16) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Shaw and Deven Marrero have both surfaced in Boston as the needs arose. Shaw has managed to do rather well in Pawtucket and his versatility at playing first or third is a plus. Shaw had a miserable beginning at Pawtucket with a .185 average for April. Then came improvement.
The smooth swinging 25-year-old left-handed hitter had a .255 May and a bust out June of .318. By June, Shaw was entrenched in the third position in the batting order. Expect Shaw to do the bounce between Boston and Pawtucket.
Shaw reminds me of Lars Anderson with his swing. Hopefully his career will not follow the same trajectory.
Is Marrero still a high-level prospect? He is currently ranked tenth on Sox Prospects and it is not his glove holding him back. The first round pick has a glove of all gloves as this kid can play some exceptional defense. In Boston he was the first call for spot defensive duty and to get in a few swings.
When I see Marrero the potential is obvious. A compact swing that produces line drives and that means consistent contact. A 23.5K% does not help in the contact department. Merrero has a .315 BABIP and cutting down that K% is essential. For the season Marrero is slashing .245/.302/.348.
For comparison purposes Marrero seems similar to another late developer who played in Boston – Marco Scutaro.