Pawtucket Red Sox preview as Owens shines in debut
By Rick McNair
HITTING
Sam Travis hit .469 in spring training and has hit since being drafted in the second round in 2014. A big right-handed bat with a great stroke that has line drive machine stamped on it. Despite his size – Travis is a 22-year-old right-handed hitter – is not a home run hitter with only nine in 559 plate appearances in 2015. What Travis does have in his hitter’s tool box is gap power. This will be the player to watch as the PawSox season progresses. (not on 40-man).
Marco Hernandez was a PTBNL in the Felix Doubront trade and has hit his way to a 40-man roster slot. In the spring the left-handed hitting infielder – now 23-years-old – hit .579 and had a team-leading six doubles. Is he being groomed for a Brock Holt type role? Any outfield time will tell.
Deven Marrero is another first round pick and pick he can as with a defensive connotation. But one must also hit and .256 at Pawtucket in 2015 needs to improve. Will Marrero be with Boston or elsewhere? Teams – especially in the National League – can carry a good glove in the lower part of the order. Marrero is smart and knows now to utilize his limited offensive skills. I just love his game.
Sean Coyle was a hot commodity after the 2014 season, but 2015 was a washout for the Dustin Pedroia clone. The 24-year-old infielder hit .179 with the PawSox and some nagging injuries were part of the sudden drop. His roster spot is on a very shaky foundation.
How the once mighty have fallen and that summarizes once projected right-hand power bat Bryce Brentz. Brentz had a perfect spring hitting .000 in 16 at-bats with 12 strikeouts. Now 27-years-old his roster time may soon expire for a player I once thought would be a 30+ home run hitter. Leave me off your scouting department.
Christian Vazquez is the real deal defensively and can give some tough at bats. The 25-year-old will continue his surgical recovery and could be back in Boston as the number one catcher in June. He will start as much as medically advisable.