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Red Sox Prospect Watch: Stars of the Future

By Mike El-Far

Aug 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (40) hits an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (40) hits an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 7, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Marco Hernandez (41) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring against the San Francisco Giants in the tenth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Marco Hernandez (41) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring against the San Francisco Giants in the tenth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Hitters

While Benintendi is the flashy name, there are a couple hitters that could make a name for themselves this year in the minors.  One of those is Marco Hernandez, who made his debut on April 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hernandez, a top 10 prospect in the system according to certain rankings, is clearly blocked from having a prominent future at the middle infield positions.  Xander Bogaerts should be playing at short in Boston for the next 10 years.  Also, Dustin Pedroia seems to have at least 4-6 years left in his game.

So what does that mean for Hernandez?  Well, he is with the major league team now in Fort Myers.  Last season, Pablo Sandoval played all of three games before he had season-ending shoulder surgery.

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Now, I think it is highly unlikely that Sandoval gets hurt for the whole season again this year.  But, the Red Sox did trade virtually all of his competition away.  The only person who can presumably play 3B every day and is currently projected to be on the Opening Day roster is Brock Holt.

If Hernandez is able to have a great spring, and then continue his hot streak at McCoy Stadium, there is a chance he gets the 3B job.  Personally, I would be more apt to keeping Holt as the “super-utility” player while giving a player like Hernandez the job.

Another guy to keep in mind is Deven Marrero, who was the 7th ranked prospect in the system as recently as 2015.  He has shown a real struggle with his offensive production, both at the AAA and MLB level.  But, Marrero is known for his wizardry on the defensive side.  In 2014, he won the Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year.

While Marrero has not hit even at a league average level during his two stints in the majors, he does have potential.  If someone was to go down, his defense might prove to help the team win games, and maybe he can find his offense if he has a regular role.

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