Sep 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Noe Ramirez (66) throws a ball to first base during the seventh inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Boston Red Sox won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Farm living is the life for me
The farm system is depleted of prospect talent. A few made it to Boston for a quick peek and the veteran talent that was stored at Pawtucket failed when called upon. Here are a few possibilities or long shots for 2016.
Pat Light finished out 2015 at Pawtucket appearing in 26 games and picking up a pair of saves. The 24-year-old right-hander tossed 33 innings allowing less that a hit an inning (31) and a K rate better than one an inning (35). Impressive? Well…not as “impressive” as 26 walks at Pawtucket. He’ll be with the PawSox.
Noe Ramirez also impressed at Pawtucket (4-1, 2.32) and did reasonably well (0-1, 4.15) in a late season try out in Boston. The 25-year-old right-hander will get into the competition mix in spring training. Not overpowering, but with a deceptive and somewhat quirky delivered (ask Alex Rodriguez), you may see the latest Ramirez addition to the roster start in the Pawtucket bullpen and be in Boston by June.
Jonathan Aro (0-1, 6.97) did little to impress in a short sample 10.1 innings in Boston, but did impress at Pawtucket and Portland (3-3, 3.04). A 24-year-old right-hander who may get an outside shot.
Dayan Diaz is a 27-year-old right-hander who has been in professional baseball since 2006. Boston represents his third organization and Diaz split duty between Pawtucket and Portland appearing in 37 games and an impressive 72.2 innings of relief. Diaz finished with a 2-1 record and 1.73 ERA. The downside was walks – 30 between the two teams.
Looking at the career stats of Jorge Marban is like reading a travelogue. The previous stop was Australia before signing with the Red Sox organization and working in relief for three teams (7-2, 1.31) with the final stop at Pawtucket for 13 innings and a 3-0 record. Marban worked 62 innings and allowed a meager 45 hits. Looks good? Again the issue is walks and for Marban it has plagued his entire career and for 2015 the grand total was 33.
An 18-year-old left-hander that I am adding to the list? This is Logan Allen who finished up at Lowell and he is currently the 13th ranked Sox prospect. My reasoning is simple: In 24.1 innings young Mr. Allen walked a grand total of one batter. Allen also whiffed 26 and he will not be in Boston in 2016 or 2017, but keep that name in your register of Sox pitching talent.