Boston Red Sox 2016 minor league All-Star predictions

Relief Pitchers All-Stars:

I am truly fascinated by the 27-year-old right-hander Jorge Marban. Marban has flown more than a Senior Captain at Delta having stays in the United States, winter leagues, Australia and a few years of Independent Leagues.

Last season Marban went 7-2 with three teams in the Red Sox folder and posted a 1.31 ERA. Marban is smooth as one would expect with his extensive resume and can show a decent fastball and work three more pitches from it. The problem? A 4.8 BB/9. In 2015, the H/9 was 6.5 and that was in line with his entire career. In 13 PawSox innings, Marban issued four walks and one was intentional. I expect that BB/9 to decrease to 3.0 and the PawSox will have a solid reliever capable of multiple innings.

In 2015, the Red Sox transitioned Pat Light from starter to the bullpen and it just may pay off for the 24-year-old lanky right-hander. A hard thrower (94-97 MPH) with a skill set that includes a curve, change, and slider. As with many young pitchers, the developmental blockade is control and Light is not the exception. At Pawtucket it was 26 walks in 33 innings and that was reflected in a 5.18 ERA. Expect Light to tone down the walks and provide bullpen stability. Former first round (2012) pick.

I hate pitchers who walk batters and walk them in flocks so during 2015 Chandler Shepherd got my attention. Shepherd issued 10 walks in 67 innings in 2015 and for some reason managed six in 11.1 innings in the Arizona Fall League. Maybe a rattlesnake scare? Reports are his fastball is in the low 90s and mixes in a slider and curve. In 2015 at Salem Shepherd closed and was rewarded with six saves in 23 relief appearances.

Expect the former starter to continue his efforts out of the bullpen with Portland. Control gets attention and is a big plus, so reasonable progress could mean a trip to Pawtucket.

A 28-year-old left-hander who is a reasonable bet to walk more than he strikes out and is also coming off surgery. Daniel Rosenbaum does not throw exceptionally hard (low 90s would be an exaggeration), can change speeds and has a WHIP that some batters would relish as an average. To top it off, this is his second organization.

Rosenbaum will have a surprisingly good year with Portland and maybe beyond. Enough of a good year that he may even project as a situational lefty. Rosenbaum is truly my pitching long (very long) shot.

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Sources: Sox Prospects/MLB Prospect Watch