Red Sox Spring Training: Prospect Watch
This is the second installation of the Prospect Watch, where we provide weekly updates and analysis of the top prospects in the Red Sox system. The following is an update on the Red Sox prospects performances through three weeks of Spring Training games:
1. Yoan Moncada (ranked #1 by Soxprospects.com and MLB.com)
The 20-year old, second baseman is 1-for-5 this spring, with one walk and two strikeouts.
2. Andrew Benintendi (ranked #3 by MLB.com and #4 by Soxprospects.com)
The 2015 first-round draft pick made his Red Sox spring debut Friday after he replaced Jackie Bradley in the lineup, who was a late scratch with a minor, day-to-day injury. The outfielder did not disappoint in his seven innings of play, as he went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored a run.
3. Brian Johnson (ranked #6 by Soxprospects.com and MLB.com)
Prior to a recent toe injury that sidelined Johnson, he had appeared in three games, accumulating an 11.57 ERA in 4.2 innings. Opponents were hitting .391 off him.
4. Sam Travis (ranked #7 by Soxprospects.com and MLB.com)
The Red Sox MVP this spring, the young first baseman is 15-of-25 (.600 BA) with two HRs, 13 RBIs, .920 SLG, 1.456 OPS, and only two strikeouts. Travis also has made 60 of his 61 defensive plays this spring, which amounts to a .984 fielding percentage.
5. Devin Marrero (ranked #8 by Soxprospects.com and #9 by MLB.com)
The second baseman has appeared in 14 games this spring. He is 7-for-27 (.259 BA) with four RBIs.
6. Marco Hernandez (ranked #13 by Soxprospects.com and MLB.com)
The shortstop was recently optioned out of camp to Pawtucket (AAA). Previously, he appeared in 14 games and was 11-for-19 (.579 BA), with seven RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts. Hernandez finished his spring with a .920 fielding percentage, making two errors in 25 defensive chances.
7. Pat Light (ranked #15 by MLB.com and #16 by Soxprospects.com)
The hard-throwing right-hander was recently optioned out of camp to Pawtucket (AAA). Prior to that, Light had appeared in four games and compiled a 4.76 ERA. In 5.2 innings of work, Light gave up 10 hits and struck out two. Opponents finished the spring with a .385 BA against Light.
8. William Jerez (ranked #18 by Soxprospects.com and #20 by MLB.com)
The right-hander was recently optioned out of camp to Portland (AA). Prior to that, Jerez pitched 4.1 innings and finished with a 10.38 ERA.
9. Noe Ramirez (ranked #21 by Soxprospects.com)
One of my favorite pitchers in the Red Sox system, Ramirez has been great this spring. He has yet to give up an earned run in 7.1 innings, striking out eight batters and walking four. Opponents are hitting .250 off Ramirez. Although a longshot, Ramirez is making his case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
10. Bryce Brentz (ranked #24 by Soxprospects.com and #30 by MLB.com)
The corner outfielder was recently optioned out of camp to Pawtucket (AAA). Brentz did not have a very good spring, going 0-for-16 at the plate before being optioned.
11. Kyle Martin (ranked #28 by MLB.com and #31 by Soxprospects.com)
The right-hander was recently optioned out of the Red Sox camp to the Minor League camp. Prior to that, Martin appeared in five games, pitching six innings and compiling a 3.00 ERA. Impressively though, opposing hitters only batted .227 off him this spring.
TRADED PROSPECTS WATCH
Next: Prospect Sam Travis' Great Spring
The consensus was and is that the Red Sox overpaid in their trade with the San Diego Padres for Craig Kimbrel, surrendering two of their top-10 prospects, a high-ceiling pitcher coming off his best season and a utility infielder, and it was all for a guy who is going to pitch 60 innings for you in a single season. In all likelihood, unless the Red Sox win a World Series with Kimbrel being a prime contributor, this trade will haunt the Red Sox five years from now and the one doing the haunting will be Manuel Margot. The young outfielder appeared in 12 games for the Padres this spring and was very impressive, going 7-for-22 (.318 BA), with five RBIs, a stolen base and five strikeouts.