Boston Red Sox potential spring training prospect surprises
Mar 20, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; The Boston Red Sox take batting practice before the game between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
America has long been recognized as the land of opportunity and for the Red Sox spring training is often an opportunity for a variety of players. Veterans are signed to contracts and by veterans it is those looking for redemption or to prolong the inevitable departure into an early retirement. Contracts that usually contain an escape clause based on being on the major league roster by a specific date. This represents the baseball toss it against the wall and see what may stick.
The veteran contingent will be slowly built up during the winter as needs become clear and names that once were noted are now given a second chance at baseball life. Most will enjoy the victuals of Federal Hill in Providence as they await the call while performing at Pawtucket. During the season, Sandy Leon, Jemile Weeks and Jeff Bianchi were among the notables who surfaced in Boston, but resided in Pawtucket for most of 2015.
The second level of opportunity is far more attractive to the Red Sox fan and management – those who are on the track towards MLB. The hot and lukewarm prospects whose goal is to get a positive vibe and just maybe pick up a roster spot.
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A few seasons ago Jackie Bradley forced the issue with a momentous spring training performance that forced the issue. Unfortunately, the sad story that followed demonstrated the pitfall of being hot at the right time and going cold at the wrong time. Bradley collapsed quicker than Lehman Brother during the Great Recession.
So just who may be the surprise performers in ST for 2016? Which young players could surface to suddenly grab attention and elevate their stock to management and to the enduring dream of Red Sox Nation.
Mar 22, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; A Boston Red Sox hat, sunglasses, and baseballs sit in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
A Player To Be Named Later (PTBNL) usually is a baseball after thought based on how the player he was traded for performed. The more remarkable the performance, then hopefully, the higher in prospect or roster rankings the PTBNL is. This strange method has actually seen the PTBNL be the original player traded for. Sometimes a PTBNL can be someone who eventually makes a name for themselves. David Ortiz was a PTBNL.
The Red Sox shipped Felix Doubront to the Cubs and eventually a bundle arrived on the doorstep of Yawkey Way that contained Marco Hernandez. Hernandez, a 23-year-old, hits from the left side and throws from the right. Marco is both a shortstop and second baseman who in 2014 reached A+ ball for the Cubs and hit .270.
Hernandez was assigned to Portland AA to start 2015 and really came on strong with a slash of .326/.349/.482 and five home runs and 31 RBI. Good enough for a promotion to Pawtucket a AAA where in 46 games Hernandez slashed .271/.300/.409 with four home runs and 22 RBI.
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Hernandez is viewed as a more than competent shortstop or defender since he also sees duty at third and second with some above-average speed and good baseball instincts. Hernandez is also Rule 5 eligible and the expectation is Hernandez will be added to the 40 man roster in December.
What intrigues me about Hernandez is the sudden rise in one season from A+ to AAA ball and still managing some decent numbers. Spring training will be a way to cement his possibilities as a utility infielder of the future with Boston or elsewhere. I picture a strong spring for Hernandez – not strong enough for a 25 man spot, but enough of an attention getter to have him a player of promise.
Jun 28, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox hat and glove lay in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Logan Allen will not be in the main camp in spring training, but will be relegated to the other side of the baseball tracks with the usual bundle of minor league talent that runs the spectrum from not a chance to future star.
Allen got my attention during 2015 with his Gulf League and small sample (4.1 innings) at Lowell in A- ball performance. The 18-year-old left-hander, an eighth-round draft choice in 2015, tossed 24.1 innings and allowed a grand total on one walk while striking out 26. That certainly makes for an impressive WHIP.
The velocity is in the low 90s and considering his age and speed, both have that attractive number to be at in promising baseball terms. Allen is also 6’3” and tips the scales at 200 pounds so this lad is big and with room to physically grow. A power left-hander is certainly a premium find, and thoughts of Billy Wagner do surface in my mind.
Do not expect Allen to get much PR push unless he starts to throw some quality heat with excellent location. The buzz will start for Allen just as it has for Anderson Espinoza, so keep a watch full eye on Allen who I expect to generate some real hype.
Aug 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball and glove prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Rising rapidly in the system is always a promising sign. Just look at Mookie Betts and his almost overnight jump up the prospect charts and into future stardom. Will the same happen to Sam Travis?
Travis signed in 2014 as a second round draft pick and the now 22-year-old started at Lowell in A- and finished off 2015 at Portland AA. Expect Travis to be assigned to Pawtucket for 2016 or at least part of the season at Pawtucket. A poor spring or regression during the season could mean a return to Portland. Further positive development and Shaw could become a very promising prospect coveted by other teams.
A right-handed hitting first baseman with excellent contact skills, developing power and plate discipline. And that contact was on display at Portland with a .300 average in 65 games. In 2015, Travis had nine home runs and 78 RBI in duty between the SeaDogs and A+ Salem. Everywhere Sam has played Sam has hit and that is always a positive sign.
For a negative don’t expect Travis to win any sprints as speed is not his game, nor is defensive versatility, so his limitations may be first base and DH.
I expect Travis to impress in spring training since he is a contact hitter with a good understanding of the strike zone. You may see Travis is getting some serious early spring playing time and that could increase with some judicious line drive hits. This is a kid I expect to be noted in spring training and a hot spring will only intensify Travis as being on the potential fast track.
Sep 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Edwin Escobar (71) delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning of Boston
Acquired from San Francisco as part of the Jake Peavy deal in 2014 Edwin Escobar had a season to forget thanks to some injury complications. The 23-year-old left-hander had made a brief appearance in Boston in 2014 with a nondescript two games and two innings allowing a run.
Pawtucket was the place to further hone his skills as either a relief pitcher or a starter until bad fate intervened. Escobar slipped into the Pawtucket rotation towards the end of the PawSox last place finish, and his August numbers came in with a 2-2 record and 3.67 ERA after a rather tumultuous return earlier. The downside was 13 walks and 13 K’s in 27 innings for August.
Escobar has a three pitch tool box with a curve and change working off his fastball. A once valuable prospect in the Giants system, Escobar now has the chance to return to some level of prominence with a strong spring. Situational lefties are always in demand and Escobar’s best opportunity may be in that direction.
A strong spring could place Escobar into an ideal spot to grab a slot on the roster depending upon any off season moves the Red Sox make to add some strength to the bullpen. The team objective in that brief 2014 trial run was just that – to see if in the future Escobar could be that specialist.
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I expect Escobar to have a strong spring and force his way into some potentially dicey roster decisions.
Sources: Red Sox Prospects/MLB Prospect Watch