Red Sox Prospect Watch: More changes could be coming to top-30
By Hunter Noll
We’ll start with a quick update on someone who couldn’t be further from prospect status. Dustin Pedroia‘s still in Triple-A trying to make his way back from injury. He’s run into some bad luck with the weather though, which has prevented him from playing much. Even when the Pawtucket Red Sox do play, the conditions haven’t been the best, leading to Pedroia sitting out. He’s still expected back in the Majors relatively soon.
Obligatory Rusney Castillo paragraph to start the Triple-A segment up next. Although he’s hit a lull, Castillo’s numbers are nothing to scoff at. He leads the team in average (.297) and doubles (11) as well as runs batted in (18) and steals (5).
I’m a massive Jackie Bradley Jr. supporter and believe he’ll figure it out at the plate. That being said, he should consider himself lucky that Castillo’s contract is keeping him in Triple-A.
From Castillo, we’ll move to Jalen Beeks. Surprise! He’s still the best pitcher in the International League.
The left-hander suffered through his worst start of the year on Monday when he gave up a whole three earned runs in six innings. That’s legitimately his worst start this year.
The 24-year-old has a 2.28 ERA and 0.99 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) on the season. He also has 65 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings, while opponents are hitting .205 against him.
Sam Travis is in a massive slump at the moment. Over his last 10 games, the first baseman is hitting .083 (3-for-36). On the year, he holds a .231/.297/.341 slash line.
Aneury Tavarez has struggled so far too. The 26-year-old has a .234/.291/.352 line, but does have five steals and 15 RBI to sweeten the pot.
Tzu-Wei Lin has been ice cold since being sent down to Triple-A and Cole Sturgeon has faltered since being promoted to the level. Lin has a .200 average in the minors, and just four runs scored in 12 games.
Sturgeon meanwhile, is 3-for-18 with two doubles and two RBI in Triple-A. The good news is two of those hits (both doubles) and his two RBI all came on Monday, so maybe he’s gotten acclimated to the scene.
Ty Buttrey continues to lower his ERA. He’s dropped it to 3.18 and has 30 strikeouts over 17 innings. Opponents are hitting .225 against the left-hander this season.
Austin Maddox and Hector Velazquez are both working their way back from injuries as well. Maddox has thrown two scoreless innings so far, while Velazquez threw his first inning (a perfect effort) on Monday.