Red Sox Prospect Watch: April is in Full Swing

Apr 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) celebrates with Boston Red Sox third baseman Marco Hernandez after scoring the go ahead run during the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) celebrates with Boston Red Sox third baseman Marco Hernandez after scoring the go ahead run during the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 1, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Ysla (50) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Ysla (50) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Sea Dogs

In Portland, there are a couple players who have been performing very well. And that starts with the crown jewel of the Red Sox farm system, Rafael Devers. The 20 year-old third baseman is hoping to turn the corner and make a major leap in his development this year. Devers, as well as the front office, is hoping to go from a player with a high ceiling to someone who is knocking on the door of a major league team.

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Devers is currently having a great year in Portland, but it is only on one side of the ball. Hitting .375 in 10 games, Devers is seeing the ball very well. When you add in 6 doubles to that, it is clear that he is very skilled.

While Devers is someone who is hitting the ball well, it has been a different story defensively. He is the only Sea Dog to commit multiple errors, with 3 already. While it would be great to see Devers in Boston earlier than September, if he keeps making errors I doubt he overtakes the struggling Sandoval.

Luis Ysla has had 4 outings out of the pen in Portland, and has looked great. Even though he has given up a run, he has gotten strikeouts for 75% of his outs. Clearly, the talent level in Double-A is different than the MLB.  But, it is a great sign to see Ysla getting players to swing and miss. Just like Workman, Ysla could be a dark horse for a possible bullpen arm that could factor later in the year.

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