Red Sox Prospect Watch: More changes could be coming to top-30

Brett Netzer is now riding a nine-game hitting streak for the Advanced-A Salem Red Sox. He’s slashing .297/.353/.384 and has 18 RBI on the year. The second baseman doesn’t hit for power (one career home run) but has elite contact and could still drive runs in at a nice clip.

C.J. Chatham quickly got over his slow start in Advanced-A. After being called up, the 23-year-old started 2-for-13. He’s raised that average up to .314 and hit his first home run of the year. Finally healthy, he’s showing just how good he can be. More promotions could be coming his way in 2018.

Santiago Espinal continues to hit as well. Also 23, he boasts a .310/.368/.524 slash line with 23 RBI and 32 runs scored. He’s amassed 16 extra-base hits (six home runs) and has five steals on the year. As mentioned before, he’s a prime top-30 prospect candidate when Poyner graduates.

Roldani Baldwin is down to a .250 average but has also played in just two games since May 9. Now that he’s healthy, the catcher has a chance to improve his numbers fast.

Bobby Dalbec has raised his average over .200 (.209) and still hits the ball hard and drives in runs. The third baseman has 11 doubles and eight home runs on the year, leading both categories for Salem. He also holds the team lead in RBI with 26. Meanwhile, he has 21 runs scored and is one-for-one on steal attempts.

Tyler Hill has a solid slash line of .252/.373/.345 on the year. The 22-year-old’s main attraction is on the base paths though, as he already has 10 steals. Boston doesn’t have tons of speed in the minors, but Hill and Cole Brannen give them two elite-level speedsters.

Tanner Houck is the Red Sox number three prospect, but he’s struggled in Advanced-A so far this year. The right-hander holds a 5.25 ERA and 2-5 record at the moment. The main problem for the 21-year-old has been walks (25 in 36 innings) but that’s something that can be ironed out over time. Bright side – his start on Monday (six innings, one earned run) was one of his better starts on the year.

Darwinzon Hernandez sits at number seven on Boston’s prospect rankings. He’s also not struggling as bad (4.45 ERA) but walks are still a problem. The left-handed 21-year-old has allowed 24 walks over 28 1/3 innings. He’s struck out 32 and is holding opponents to a .192 batting average, so there’s plenty to build off of.

Daniel Gonzalez meanwhile has been fantastic to this point. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 5-0 record and is 2-for-2 in save opportunities to go along with a 3.24 ERA. He’s only walked nine batters over 33 1/3 innings while striking out 43.

Both Bryan Mata and Roniel Raudes weren’t in action over the last week.