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Red Sox Prospect Watch: Start of Regular Season

By Mike El-Far

Mar 13, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (74) throws to first for the out on Toronto Blue Jays batter Kevin Pillar (11) in the fourth inning of a baseball game during spring training at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (74) throws to first for the out on Toronto Blue Jays batter Kevin Pillar (11) in the fourth inning of a baseball game during spring training at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Surprise Saguaros pitcher Trey Ball of the Boston Red Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Surprise Saguaros pitcher Trey Ball of the Boston Red Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Sea Dogs

Nothing screams “baseball hotspot” like Portland, Maine.  Seriously, Portland has had a who’s who of future MLB players take the field.  Former prospects like Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester, and Mookie Betts all were stars during their time at Hadlock Field.  And hoping to be the next big star is the soon-to-be number 1 prospect in the system, Rafael Devers.

Devers is the third baseman of the future.  The 20 year-old had his first taste of MLB life this Spring.  Sadly, it was a spring for Devers to forget.  He was able to only muster 3 hits in over 20 at-bats this year.  Obviously he is not ready for the big leagues, but hopefully he is able to make a leap this year with his contact.

Just like Travis, Devers has the power but not the contact.  Facing what should be the closest thing to MLB pitching in AA, this year will be pivotal in his development.  Regardless, Devers will not be MLB-ready at least until 2018, and that could be overshooting it.

As I mentioned earlier, AA is where the most talent lies.  That is true with the Red Sox system, as the Sea Dogs have 6 of the top 30 prospects in the system.  Highlighted by Devers, this team also boasts names such as Trey Ball and Jake Cosart.

Ball and Cosart could both factor into Boston’s pitching future in the next couple of years.  Ball, a former 1st round pick, seemed to accelerate his development last season.  While he projects as a middle of the rotation type of pitcher, he could be someone who figures it out and is a diamond in the rough.

Jake Cosart was drafted as a starter, but now projects to be a bullpen piece.  If he can keep pitching well in high leverage situations, he could possibly be called up as early as September.  With guys like Wade Davis and Andrew Miller who transitioned from starter to reliever and had massive success, Cosart might be able to follow suit.

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