Red Sox farm update: July 23rd

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

Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox

Final Score: Norfolk Tides 5, PawSox 4

Notable Pitchers:

Jonathan Aro (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K)

Henry Owens (6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 K)

• As a Virginia resident, I actually made the trip to Norfolk yesterday to see Owens and the PawSox. Though this start isn’t exactly his best on paper, I’m here to tell you that Owens lived up to the hype as one of Boston’s best pitching prospects. He sat only in the high 80’s to low 90’s, but that fastball played up both because of his size and his devastating change-up. That pitch consistently made Tides’ hitters look silly and Owens also mixed in a curve from time to time with success, an encouraging given Owens’ struggles with the curve this year. Some of those runs can be attributed to Owens, but he also didn’t get much help from his defense and, with MLB-caliber players behind him, it’s easy to imagine him performing better. I was quite impressed with Owens and I expect him to be in the majors before the season’s end.

Notable Position Players:

Jackie Bradley Jr. (0-3, BB, K)

Garin Cecchini (0-4, K)

Allen Craig (1-4, 2B, K)

Marco Hernandez (0-3, K)

Travis Shaw (2-4)

Jun 4, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view of baseballs that were signed by Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel for Boston Red Sox players prior to a game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Manziel signed the game balls during a rain delay. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A Portland Sea Dogs

Final Score: Sea Dogs 4, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3

Notable Pitchers:

Mike Augliera (1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, K)

• Augliera was a fifth-round selection as a college senior in 2012 and, after being aggressively pushed through the lower levels of the minors, he’s in his second season with Portland. Unfortunately, his repeat year at Double-A has gone even worse than the first as he has a 5.77 ERA and he made his first relief appearance of the season yesterday. Could this signal a long-term move to the bullpen for Augliera?

Notable Position Players:

Carlos Asuaje (2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, K)

Tzu-Wei Lin (1-3, BB, SB)

Manuel Margot (1-5, K)

Henry Ramos (1-3, 2 BB, K)

Jul 19, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; A general view as fans wait during a rain delay for the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

High-A Salem Red Sox

Final Score: Red Sox 3, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

Notable Pitchers:

Ty Buttrey (5 IP, 6 H, R, 3 BB, 2 K)

• Buttrey is another 2012 draftee who has gone through some struggles in the early stages of his professional career. However, unlike Augliera, he has used 2015 to his advantage and has returned to the ranks of Red Sox prospects. He’s having a great season in Salem, though he’s overcoming shaky peripherals to do it, and is en route to a promotion to Portland for next season.

Kyle Kraus (4 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K)

Notable Position Players:

Mauricio Dubon (1-4, K)

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; A general view of Ed Smith Stadium where the Baltimore Orioles play during a spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Short Season A Lowell Spinners

Final Score: Tri-Cities ValleyCats 4, Spinners 2

Notable Position Players:

Victor Acosta (2-4, K)

Luis Alexander Basabe (1-4, 2 K)

Andrew Benintendi (1-4, 2 K)

Tate Matheny (1-3, 2B, K)

• Matheny has begun to heat up a bit in his most recent stretch at the plate. He has gone a respectable 10-37 in his last ten games and has brought his season slash line up to .222/.295/.278, still not good but at least reasonable. Boston’s fourth-round selection in this year’s draft, Matheny doesn’t have the highest ceiling but he does have the potential to move quickly through the organization given his advanced approach.

Josh Ockimey (0-4, 2 K)

Austin Rei (1-3)

Tucker Tubbs (1-2, BB, K)

Apr 13, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A view of the scoreboard before opening ceremonies at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox home opener against the Washington Nationals. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

Final Score: GCL Rays 6, Red Sox 2

Notable Position Players:

Yoan Aybar (0-4, 4 K)

• Aybar has been great for most of this season, hitting .333/.353/.410 through 21 games, but yesterday’s game was a disaster for the toolsy outfielder. Just having turned 18 years old, he’s extremely raw but has the potential to be great if he puts all those tools together in a few years.

Devon Fisher (1-2, BB, K)

Kyri Washington (0-4, 2 K)