Red Sox Prospect Watch: April is in Full Swing

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Sep 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitches Jason Groome talks to the media before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Salem and Greenville

In both Salem and Greenville, there are young players trying to make the first steps to a great career. Bobby Dalbec, the 3rd round pick of last year’s draft, has started that process.

A third baseman, Dalbec was the star of the Arizona Wildcats in last year’s College World Series. He has continued his success into professional baseball, hitting .318 with a home run. Something to pay attention to is his high strikeout rate, which is currently around 40%. Obviously it is a small sample size, but it is something to keep an eye on.

The first round pick in last year’s draft, Jason Groome, has not fared as well as Dalbec. In his first start, he gave up an astronomical 9 runs in 1.1 innings. After the game, there was an explanation for the rough outing.

Diagnosed with a lat strain, he is currently on the DL. This is obviously not the way Groome wanted to start his first full season of professional baseball. Hopefully this injury is minor, and Groome can get back to pitching well.

While Dalbec and Groome are currently in Greenville, Josh Ockimey is tearing it up in Salem. A first baseman, Ockimey was a 5th round pick in 2014. And while he is seen as someone who is a below average defender, his bat is what is currently turning heads.

Next: Red Sox being conservative with Price

Ockimey has an OPS of 1.105, which is great to see. He has a couple doubles, and a triple and a home-run to boot. While Ockimey is still awhile away from being a MLB player, if his bat continues to develop the Red Sox will have a diamond in the rough.

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