Red Sox: Comparing Top five prospects to MLB players
It may seem as if President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski dumped all the strong pieces in the farm system, however, the Red Sox still do have some valuable prospects in the minor leagues.
As we get into the full swing of things down in Spring Training, most of the young talent in the Boston Red Sox organization will be on display.
Here are some of my predictions on who these Red Sox prospects draw comparisons to other players inside Major League Baseball.
5. Brian Johnson, LHP
MLB Player Comparison: Scott Kazmir
Left-hander Brian Johnson has battled some injuries throughout his early years in professional baseball as he got hit with a line drive in the head a few years back and dealt with anxiety issues last season.
However, the former University of Florida standout has some impressive numbers. Johnson holds a 2.60 ERA in 425 innings pitched, primarily as a starter.
Johnson has a above-average three pitch mix with his low to mid 90’s fastball, a big sweeping curve and a plus change-up to keep hitters off balance. Johnson’s stuff equals to a middle of the rotation type guy. He will be the one to go out every fifth day, compete, throw strikes and eat up innings for the Red Sox staff.
His comparison to Kazmir is a lofty expectation considering Kazmir has always been a consistent left-handed pitcher. However, his ability to throw strikes with all this pitchers while not throwing an over-powering fastball makes me think of Kazmir when I watch Johnson pitch.
With the Red Sox major league rotation so crowded, expect Johnson to start the year off in Pawtucket. However, if starting pitchers get hurt or become needed at the Major League level, expect Johnson to be one of the first pitchers called up.
4. 1B, Sam Travis
MLB Player Comparison: Paul Goldschmidt
Sam Travis missed the entire 2016 season after tearing his ACL in Spring Training; however, the potential five tool threat is reportedly “in the best shape of his life.” Travis spent most of his time down in Fort Myers last season rehabbing his knee and bulking up to get ready for this season.
The former second round pick has hit .303 in three minor league seasons, however, his power has been questionable as he’s managed just 22 home runs in 245 career games. Travis has the ability to run well for a first basemen, defends very well at first base and some Red Sox executives think he could play some outfield this season.
Travis hasn’t played higher than Double-A, however, according to a scout, Travis is drawing comparisons to Paul Goldschmidt. Travis had an impressive Major League camp last season before tearing his ACL as he hit .536 (15 for 28) a team high 13 RBI’s and two home runs.
Travis is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on this season as he’ll either start the year in Portland or Pawtucket, however, if he’s producing down there, expect the Red Sox to potentially call up Travis later on in the year.
MLB Player Comparison: David Price
The 2016 first round pick out of Barnegat, New Jersey was believed to be the top talent in this years draft and many believed Jason Groome to be at least a top three pick. However, Groome fell into the Red Sox lap at No. 12 and they couldn’t pass up on the lefty.
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Groome, who sees his fastball reach mid to upper 90’s, has all the tools to be a dominant starter for a long time in the Major Leagues. Groome has a good three pitch mix with a heavy fastball that has arm side run.
Groome got a taste of pro ball last year as he threw just 6 2/3 innings between the GCL Red Sox and the Lowell Spinners. He fanned 10 in those 6 2/3 innings of work and gave up just three hits. He has the best arm and stuff of any arm in the 2016 pitching draft class. Groome drew comparisons as the best high school pitching prospect since Clayton Kershaw prior to being selected by the Red Sox in last June’s draft.
Groome has the presence and poise to be the next star pitcher in the Major Leagues, however, at just 18 years old, the lefty has a long way to go.
2. Rafael Devers
MLB Comparison: Robinson Cano
Rafael Devers is really the only veteran-type prospect that is still around in the Red Sox organization after all the trades this offseason.
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Dombrowski reportedly didn’t want to include Devers in any type of deal this offseason, including the Chris Sale one because of his tremendous upside. Devers, who is penciled in as the third baseman of the future for the Red Sox, has a smooth lefty stroke that has drawn comparisons to Robinson Cano.
The 20-year old Dominican native is listed at 6’0″ 195lbs (an ideal third baseman’s type body) has slashed .293 with 29 home runs and 198 RBI’s over his three minor league seasons throughout single A ball.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 16 ranked prospect in all of baseball was a non-roster invite to the Red Sox Major League Spring Training and has gone 2 for 5 with a run scored so far in two Grapefruit League games thus far. Devers is expected just to get his feet wet at Major League spring training before being sent back down.
Devers is still a year or two away from being an every day player for the big league club, however, the future is as bright as ever for this young star and we can only expect him to keep improving.
1. Andrew Benintendi
MLB Comparison: Jacoby Ellsbury or Christian Yelich
Andrew Benintendi wasn’t named baseball’s number one overall prospect this past winter for nothing. Benintendi is oozing with projectability and has all the intangibles to be a five tool threat to Major League Baseball for several decades.
Benintendi, who made his Major League debut on August 2nd in Seattle, appeared in 34 games a season ago hitting .295 with two homers and fourteen runs batted in.
Benintendi is penned in to be the Red Sox every day left fielder this season while normally hitting in the two hole. Benintendi’s ability to hit for power into the gaps, his speed on the bases, and ability to get on base make me think of Jacoby Ellsbury (when he was on the Red Sox) and Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins.
Benintendi, like Yelich, could be a guy that hits well over .300 every year with double digit homers, hit a lot of doubles and win a Gold Glove or two. He also has that smooth, quick lefty stroke to the gaps like Ellsbury had during his time with the Red Sox.
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The 22 year old outfielder adds to an already stacked outfield with Jackie Bradley Jr and Mookie Betts. After looking more comfortable at the Major League level as the year went on, Benintendi is due for an even better 2017 campaign. He has the chance to be a consistent 200+ hit per year guy for a very long time.