Boston Red Sox: The Spring Training prospect stocks ups-and-downs
By Hunter Noll
Stock Rising (Hitters)
The good news for the Red Sox, is that there were a lot more rising stocks than falling stocks this spring.
While the pitchers saw the brunt of the rising stocks, two hitters did manage their way up the ladder at least a little bit.
First we have Danny Mars. I know what you’re thinking; big surprise, I found a way to mention Mars in an article. Now, he did only get four at-bats going 1-for-4 with a triple (he hits a lot of those) and two runs scored. It wasn’t so much Mars as the state of the Red Sox outfield that helped him though.
Following the Martinez signing, the Red Sox traded Bryce Brentz. That leaves Boston with four outfielders on their 40-man roster. Martinez (who will be used mainly as a DH) as well as Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in the corners, with Jackie Bradley Jr. in center.
After those four on the 40-man roster, the options are thin. There’s Rusney Castillo, but his contract is probably keeping him in the minors barring a massive emergency.
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Aneury Tavarez is semi-intriguing, and Jeremy Barfield showed plenty of pop last season (not crazy amounts before that though). While those two are solid names, if that’s the state of the Boston outfield depth, Mars’ stock isn’t just rising, it’s flying.
Chad De La Guerra on the other hand, rose his stock with plenty of at-bats. The infielder is benefitting from an infield that could be losing a few names due to roster restrictions, but his bat definitely helped this spring as well.
De La Guerra can play multiple positions in the field, and is coming off a career-year in the minors. He followed it up with a 6-for-21 (.286) showing this spring that included a home run and three runs batted in.
The Red Sox will likely be losing Deven Marrero or Brock Holt soon. Sure Holt has a minor league option, but that might not go over well. Either way, the utility depth might be one man shorter soon. With that in mind, and a strong spring, De La Guerra should find a spotlight on himself in the minors this season.