Red Sox Propect Watch: Monge promoted, Benintendi

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Mar 28, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Rusney Castillo (38) catches a fly ball at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

As we get to the end of May, the performance of prospects starts to become more important as they could be used in a potential trade.

It would seem that Blake Swihart‘s seamless transition to left field has quieted some fans call for Andrew Benintendi to be called up to the majors after only a couple weeks above A ball. As this article will discuss, Benintendi’s rise has been slowed for the moment. What about Rusney Castillo as a fill-in? We will look at how he is doing

With Clay Buchholz‘ demotion from the Red Sox rotation, who is down on the farm that could take a start or two that might be better than Sean O’Sullivan. We will take a look at some candidates. They are one injury away from dipping in the minor league pool again.

Sean Coyle was demoted down to Double-A Portland, how is he making out?

Keeping a rotation going, we will re-visit how guys in the lower levels are faring as well. Perhaps you will hear some of those names in an upcoming deal also. The Short Season Lowell Spinners will be starting their season June 17, so in a couple weeks you will start seeing reports on how those young players, many straight out of the upcoming MLB draft, will be faring in their first taste of professional baseball.

Let’s get started.

Next: Triple-A Pawtucket

Mar 8, 2016; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Roenis Elias (29) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Triple-A Pawtucket

William Cuevas continues to impress at Triple-A. After his brief call-up near the end of April, Cuevas has shown that he wants to come back. He has allowed just seven earned runs in 32 innings (1.97 ERA) over his last five starts, though he has walked 15 batters while allowing just 21 hits. For the season his ERA is 3.09 over 43.2 innings.

Roenis Elias posted another strong start Wednesday night, pitching 7.1 innings allowing just three hits and one run. walking two and striking out eight batters. For the season, his ERA fell to 4.28 in Pawtucket, punching out 41 batters in 40 innings.

Rusney Castillo hit his first homer of the AAA season Thursday night in a two for five night. This broke a one for 16 slump for the highly paid Cuban. Castillo’s OPS has gone from .555 in April to .698 in May, but for the season, it still only stands at .641. He has scored 18 runs in 33 games and stolen three bases.

Pat Light has earned three saves at Pawtucket in May after his six day stint in Boston at the end of April. Over his last five games he has pitched 7.1 innings, allowing six hits with three walks (including one intentional) and eight strikeouts. In 16.2 innings this season, he has allowed just 10 hits, while walking 10 and striking out 21. He has struck out at least one batter in all 12 of his appearances this season at Pawtucket

Next: Double-A Portland

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Sean Coyle (80) waits for the ball during a spring training baseball game at McKechnie Field. The Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Double-A Portland

Chandler Shepherd had two solid appearances for the Sea Dogs this week, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, walking two, striking out six. For the season, Shepherd has allowed just 14 hits in 22.2 innings, striking out 29 batters. The former 13th round draft choice is a pitcher to keep an eye on.

Aaron Wilkerson was touched for three runs on six hits in his last start, walking two and striking out two over five innings, snapping his streak of three straight scoreless starts this season. For the year, Wilkerson has a 2.20 ERA over 49 innings, allowing 35 hits and 17 walks, striking out 53 batters.

Andrew Benintendi is trying to make his way back from a two for 19 start in Portland. Over his last two games, he was two for six, with two walks. He has stolen two bases over his last three games. Overall in Portland, Benintendi is four for 25, with a double and four RBI.

Sean Coyle is trying to get back to Pawtucket where he struggled terribly this season to a .415 OPS in 72 at-bats. Since his demotion to Portland, Coyle has started to hit again, posting a .259/.412/.556 batting line though only in 27 at-bats. Coyle has been playing third base lately to increase his versatility.

Next: High-A Salem

Jul 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; World infielder Rafael Devers grabs a ground ball against the U.S. Team during the All Star Futures Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

High-A Salem

Rafael Devers has slowed in his production this year but a .213 BABIP (batting average on balls in play), according to Rob Bradford of the Globe, might have something to do with the sub-standard numbers. He has walked 19 times in 181 plate appearances which is also encouraging. His numbers stand at .185/.269/.309 for the season. He won’t turn 20 until October.

Yoan Moncada slumped to a three for 21 over his last five games. He did not steal a base and drew one walk in that span. He scored a run and struck out five times. The Cuban star turned 21 on Friday. For the season his batting line stands at .301/.428/.464 with 43 runs and 30 steals in 45 games.

Nick Longhi was born in Springfield, Massachusetts but went to high school in Florida. He also did not have a strong last five games, going two for his last 16 over that span. He was able to draw three walks and drive in three runs. Longhi is actually three months younger than Moncada, turning 21 in August. For the season, his slash line is ..290/.369/.389

Mauricio Dubon was four for 17 in his last five games, going hitless only once. He laced a double and a triple, walked three times and struck out only once. He stole two bases, while scoring six runs over that span. Dubon has 15 steals on the season and a .312/.390/400 batting line.

Next: Low-A Greenville

May 12, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A detailed view of a baseball glove and bat before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Low-A Greenville

Anderson Espinoza, after two so-so outings, reminded us this week why scouts are excited to watch him pitch. In terms of innings, this week’s six inning start was the longest of the season for the 18 year old Venezuelan. He also allowed two hits, no walks, and struck out three while throwing only 67 pitches. Espinoza has a 3.86 ERA over 39.2 innings this season, walking 13 and striking out 45 while allowing a .241 batting average against him.

Josh Ockimey had an odd last five games where he went just three for 15 but all three hits went for extra bases, a homer and two doubles. The first baseman walked twice while driving in six runs and scoring four. For the season, his slash line stands at .287/.436/.552 with 12 doubles, a triple and eight homers in 43 games.

Joseph Monge moved up the ladder to Salem this week so he will be under that team’s summary in the future. Monge left Greenville on a high note, rapping four hits in five at-bats in his last game there. The Bronx native posted a batting line of .338/.392/.472 at Greenville this season. In his first two games at Salem he was one for seven with a double and three strikeouts

Roniel Raudes could be another player who moves up if he continues to excel as he has this season. He had his second scoreless outing of the season this week, allowing three hits and no walks, striking out eight over six innings. Raudes has walked just eight in 38 innings this year while striking out 38 and posting a 2.61 ERA.

Next: Red Sox Non-Prospect Watch: Chris Marrero

Stay tuned to BoSoxInjection.com each Saturday to see how the minor leaguers are doing in Red Sox Prospect Watch

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