Red Sox Prospect Watch: Aftermath of the MLB Draft
After the MLB Draft, what is the status of the Red Sox farm system? Which players have risen in their ranks, and which have fallen?
With the MLB Draft finishing up today, it’s a perfect time to look at the current state of the farm system before the players selected over the past three days sign with the Boston Red Sox.
Boston has been known as one of the best teams to develop players over the past two decades. It is common knowledge that their system was depleted due to multiple offseason moves.
But, the farm system has a ton of talent in it. There is a top 15 prospect in all of baseball that is currently steps away from making his MLB debut. Also, the one prospect who has had the best season of any minor league player also is a member of the Red Sox organization. Clearly, there is talent that cannot be ignored.
Coming into the halfway point of the season, you can tell which certain players have progressed in their development. When players get injured, however, it becomes a lot more murky. Did this player have a bad year, or was it an injury that set their whole season spiraling out of control?
It is no surprise that the Red Sox have not lived up to expectations for their season. After dealing two top 10 prospects to acquire Chris Sale, it seemed they were poised to be better than winning the AL East and making the ALDS. But, two key positions have had a weak link, and hopefully some prospects can fill the gap and help to right the ship for Boston.
Boston Red Sox
As of right now, the Red Sox only have one prospect on their roster. That would be the former 2012 1st-round pick, Brian Johnson. Johnson was called up to make the start on Friday, June 9 against the Detroit Tigers. It would not be a spot start though, as Eduardo Rodriguez injured himself in the previous series against Baltimore.
The last time Johnson pitched in the majors, he threw a complete game shutout against the Seattle Mariners at the end of May. Unfortunately, Johnson didn’t fare as well against the Tigers. He only went 4 1/3 innings while throwing 105 pitches.
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Even more alarming, Johnson gave up two home runs during his start. What was not great about Johnson’s outing was the fact that he could not control some of his pitches. He was only able to record two strikeouts, which were his career low. For a frame of reference, he struck out eight Mariners and six Blue Jays this year.
Johnson should be in the rotation until Rodriguez comes back from injury. Johnson is a better option than anyone in the system that would be MLB ready right now. Also, there is a chance that he could be in the rotation for the rest of the year.
Clearly, Drew Pomeranz has been dreadful during his time in Boston. The only glimmer of success was his time in the bullpen in the playoffs. If Pomeranz continues to struggle, he could be kicked out of the rotation and banished to the bullpen when E-Rod comes back. And Brian Johnson would take over as Boston’s 5th starter.
Pawtucket Red Sox
While Brian Johnson has had success at the MLB level this year, there is another pitching prospect in Pawtucket that has been lights out. That would be Hector Velazquez. If you remember, Velazquez spent the last seven years playing professional baseball in his home country of Mexico.
The Red Sox saw value in him, signing him on February 18. If you were glued to the Spring Training coverage and wondered why he wasn’t a part of the team for most of the spring, there is a reason why. The pitching schedule in Mexico is much more rigorous than in the States, so Velazquez only threw 11 pitches in Fort Myers.
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After being sent down to Pawtucket, all Velazquez has done is be one of the most dominant pitchers in the International League. He is 4-1 in 9 games with a 1.29 ERA. That ERA happens to be the best among qualified starters in the IL. Also, Velazquez is averaging less than one base runner per inning pitched. Clearly, he has been a dominant force for the PawSox.
As mentioned earlier, Pomeranz has been nothing short of a giant disappointment in the starting rotation. There is not one start that gives off the idea that he will pitch well. In fact, it is the exact opposite.
Let’s say that E-Rod suffers a setback in his recovery. If Pomeranz continues to struggle, there is a chance he could transition to the bullpen. Even without having a proven starter like Rodriguez coming back, the lack of success by Pomeranz could prove to be too much. This would open the door for Hector Velazquez to make his mark on Major League Baseball.
Portland Sea Dogs
It is very clear that the Red Sox have a terrible problem at the hot corner. Pablo Sandoval will probably go down in Boston’s history as the worst free agent signing of all time. Marco Hernandez was a solid player at third base, but had a season-ending injury. While Deven Marrero plays great defense, he is hitting under the Mendoza Line.
Luckily, the best prospect in the Red Sox farm system is a third baseman. 20-year old Rafael Devers is currently in Double-A Portland, and is having one of the best seasons of any prospect in the system.
Devers is currently hitting .301 through 55 games. Also, Devers has slugged 10 home runs this season, which puts him tied for 9th highest in the Eastern League. Devers leads all qualified members of the Sea Dogs with a .890 OPS. There is no doubt that Devers is performing at a high level at the plate.
But, there are reasons why Devers hasn’t skipped Triple-A and made the move to Boston like Andrew Benintendi. One, he is still only 20 years old. After being signed as an international free agent, Devers has risen up the ranks of Boston’s system. He is still very young, and could use more time in the minors.
While Devers has been great offensively, it has been the exact opposite on the other side of the ball. Already he has made eight errors, and the season isn’t even halfway over. So while Devers is a great offensive tool, there are many concerns defensively.
If Devers was to get called up in the next 15 or so games, there is a very good chance he could hit above average at the major league level. But, there is a good chance that he is not ready offensively to face MLB pitchers. If that is the case, Devers is essentially no better to Boston than Sandoval.
Salem and Greenville
This is the last week that only two levels of A-ball will be playing. The Lowell Spinners, the Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, starts their season on June 19. Joining the Spinners is the top pitching prospect in the organization, Jason Groome.
Groome strained his lat muscle back in April pitching for the Greenville Drive, and has not pitched since then. For a frame of reference, this is a lesser injury that Noah Syndergaard suffered and has kept him out of the Mets’ rotation. Hopefully Groome can come back strong, and make his first professional season in baseball a successful one.
Transitioning to a more positive note, Michael Chavis has been one of the best players in the Red Sox system through the first 2.5 months of the 2017 season. The former 2014 1st-round pick has transitioned from shortstop to third base for the Salem Red Sox, and it has paid dividends.
Chavis is doing something that no prospect in any level of baseball is doing. He is the current triple crown leader of the Carolina League. Yes, Chavis is only playing in Class A advanced ball. But, he is so far ahead of anyone else in average, home runs, and RBI’s.
Next: David Price's control issues
Devers is the future at third base for the Red Sox. There is even a chance he could be the starter in 2018. In theory, that should block Michael Chavis. But, remember he is a natural shortstop, and Xander Bogaerts is an unrestricted free agent after the 2019 season. While Bogey has become one of the best pure hitters in baseball and a fan favorite in Boston, he could be the odd man out in this current young core of players.