Pawtucket Red Sox review: Any Boston help for ’16?
By Rick McNair
Sep 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; General view of the field box seats prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
A few months ago the Pawtucket Red Sox were in first place of the International League’s North Division and now they are dead last not only in the division, but the entire league. Why? Where is patient zero in this demise?
The offense has moved north about 55 miles to Boston. Blake Swihart, Jackie Bradley, Rusney Castillo and recently Travis Shaw, who was hitting third for Pawtucket. So the PawSox are now on the bottom rung on offense – last in average, runs, OBP, slugging, OPS, hits, doubles and triples. They have managed to surface into the fourth slot in home runs.
The pitching statistically is still rather picturesque on the surface, but the heart of the rotation long disappeared to Boston along with the revolving reliever du jour. The rotation has names such as Zeke Spruill and Keith Couch are rolled out in vain attempts to keep games close. The reality is there is limited talent left at Pawtucket to stem the avalanche of ineffectiveness that has clearly been on display.
So who is left to help? Any potential future gems hidden in the PawSox? Let’s take a gander at a few who may be serviceable for the parent club in 2016.