Red Sox farm update: July 26th

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Keith Couch plays for the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox

Final Score: Buffalo Bisons 11, PawSox 10

Notable Pitchers:

Matt Barnes (1.1 IP, H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K)

Ronald Belisario (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB)

Keith Couch (5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB)

• Couch has been successful all throughout his minor league career, but he has run into his first speed bump at the Triple-A level. He has never had great stuff but he’s been able to get by on command and deception; however, that’s not working for him anymore. Though his 3.2 BB/9 is respectable, his ERA has ballooned to 6.15 this season and he’ll likely transition to a relief role sooner rather than later.

Edwin Escobar (0.2 IP, H, 2 R, ER, BB)

Heath Hembree (0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R)

Notable Position Players:

Jackie Bradley Jr. (1-5)

Rusney Castillo (1-3, BB)

Garin Cecchini (2-5, 2B, 2 K)

Allen Craig (1-4, BB, K)

Marco Hernandez (3-4, 2 2B, BB)

• Hernandez was the player to be named later in the Felix Doubront trade with the Cubs, an unheralded prospect yet to excel in the minors. However, it appears he has taken a huge step forward in 2015 as he was one of the very best players in the Eastern League before his promotion and, since joining the PawSox, he’s slashing an impressive .306/.324/.472 in 10 games. He’s still only 22 and scouts have upheld his strong performance, so perhaps he can work himself into a major league role soon.

Travis Shaw (2-4, 2B, BB)

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; A detailed view of Boston Red Sox designator hitter Bryan LaHair (61) shoe and bat before a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A Portland Sea Dogs

Final Score: Sea Dogs 7, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2

Notable Pitchers:

Justin Haley (5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K)

• After a dominant stretch in his first taste of Portland last season, Haley has struggled mightily in his second time around. Through 20 starts, he’s sporting a 5.38 ERA and his command has suffered as he is the owner of a 4.1 BB/9. Still, yesterday represents a strong start for Haley and, if he can string some solid performances together, he could be on his way to Pawtucket next season.

Notable Position Players:

Carlos Asuaje (2-5, SB)

Tzu-Wei Lin (1-2, BB)

Manuel Margot (3-5, 3B, SB)

• Margot likely has the best raw speed in the Red Sox organization and he put it on display yesterday. With a stolen base, a triple, and three hits to boot, Margot shows his potential to be an elite leadoff hitter in the future and showed the form that has placed him so high on mid-season prospect rankings.

Henry Ramos (1-4, 2B)

Sam Travis (1-5, 2 K)

May 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a glove and Boston Red Sox hat in the dugout prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Low-A Greenville Drive

Final Score: Drive 10, Charleston RiverDogs 2

Notable Pitchers:

Jalen Beeks (4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 4 K)

Notable Position Players:

Michael Chavis (0-4, 2 BB)

Rafael Devers (1-6, HR)

Javier Guerra (0-1)

Nick Longhi (3-5, HR)

• Longhi is an intriguing under-the-radar prospect for the Red Sox. He’s lumped in with a number of stellar names in Greenville, but he’s having a strong season as well, slashing .282/.344/.395 and hitting his fourth home run yesterday. Perhaps most interesting about him is that, as an exceptionally young draftee, he’s still only 19. He’s a guy to watch as he moves through the ranks and he appears poised to deliver more than your average 30th round pick.

Danny Mars (3-5, 3B, SB)

Yoan Moncada (1-2, SB, BB)

Mar 20, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; A view of the stadium before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Short Season A Lowell Spinners

Final Score: Spinners 6, Auburn Doubledays 5

Notable Pitchers:

Logan Boyd (2.1 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 4 K)

Notable Position Players:

Victor Acosta (0-3, BB)

Luis Alexander Basabe (3-5, 2B, 2 SB)

Andrew Benintendi (0-4, BB, 2 SB)

Tate Matheny (1-5, 2B, 2 K)

Austin Rei (3-4, HR, 2B, K)

• Rei has had his share of struggles since signing with the Red Sox, but this represents his strongest game so far by a wide margin. Rei came up a triple short of the cycle with a huge game for Lowell, extending his slash line to .171/.320/.341 thus far. Even in his struggles, he has continued hitting for power and staying patient at the plate. It’s easy to imagine to good times starting soon for Rei.

Tucker Tubbs (1-3, 3B, BB, K)