Boston Red Sox Non-Prospect watch: Ryan LaMarre

The Boston Red Sox have non-prospects who also could help provide support for the parent club and one is Ryan LaMarre

The Boston Red Sox had a simple transaction during the off season – the type of transaction that few pay any attention too since they proliferate in the off season. The acquisition is usually of a player who has failed elsewhere and become a free agent looking for a job and that was Ryan LaMarre.

LaMarre had somewhat of a promising pedigree being a second round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 as a junior out of the University of Michigan. LaMarre slowly progressed up the developmental chain for seven seasons before the right-handed hitting and left-hand throwing outfielder made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Reds.

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LaMarre played 21 games and hit .080 in his 27 at-bats and was finally a DFA by the Reds.  Once waivers were cleared it was the resigning process and back to Triple-A to finish out the season and then being cut and sent to the open market.

The Red Sox are like all MLB teams looking for depth and the 27-year-old with good speed and defensive abilities to play all three outfield positions was signed. Another body for the outfield at Pawtucket for a player with a .263 career average in seven minor league seasons.

LaMarre came to spring training and showed a bit of power with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in 21 games before being sent to a familiar destination – the minor league camp and slated to be at Pawtucket.

At the end of April, some type of positive baseball elixir must have been ingested by LaMarre and I don’t mean the “See Ya!” for eighty games type. The slash is impressive at .357/.400/.452 with his historic lack of power on display with a lone double and home run among his 15 hits. LaMarre will not produce much thunder.

LaMarre has been flip flopping with Rusney Castillo between center and right field and manager Kevin Boles has him near the bottom of the daily lineup card. For now, LaMarre is a career Triple-A player who is on a tear for a month but anything can happen. Who thought a .249 hitting corner infielder at Pawtucket in 2015 would be the starting third baseman with Boston?

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The possibility for defense always exists and that is one portion of his game that LaMarre has long been major league ready. If the need arises in Boston they may be quite comfortable making roster concessions and bringing LaMarre up. LaMarre could also be of potential value to another team that may need some outfield shoring up – especially on defense. The next month will show if LaMarre has elevated his game or was on a one-month hot streak. I’m pulling for elevating his game.