Salem and Greenville
As mentioned earlier, Sam Travis is going through some struggles this year. Obviously the Boston Red Sox are loaded at first base, with Moreland and Hanley Ramirez. Sam Travis is obviously next on that depth chart, but there is a first baseman who is having a great start to 2017.
Josh Ockimey, a 5th round draft pick in 2014, has been white hot to start the season. The starting first baseman for the Salem Red Sox, Ockimey has been their brightest star so far. Over the past month, his slash line is an astounding .347/.454/.560. Also, he has slugged 3 home runs and driven in 22 RBI’s. Below is a home run from last year that shows the raw power Ock has.
Just like Sam Travis, Ockimey’s best tools lie with his bat. It is highly unlikely that he will ever an award from his defense, and Ockimey has below average speed. So, in order for him to further his career, he needs to keep up the offensive production. And so far, he has done that.
Now, the chances that Josh Ockimey plays in Boston this year are virtually zero. While anything can happen, he is still a year or two away from being even close to MLB ready. Even still, seeing this production out of a recent draft pick is always a good thing. If Travis continues to struggle while Ockimey continues to play great baseball, Travis might come up in trade talks.
Next: Ramirez continues power surge
Personally, I expect Ockimey to get the call up to Portland as early as next month if he continues on this path. Now, there probably will be a downturn in his production when he gets the call. But, if he can still drive in runs and hit above average, the Red Sox might have found another diamond in the rough, just like Mookie Betts.