Red Sox Prospect Watch: Streaking players take the weekly spotlight

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 15: Tzu-Wei Lin #5 of the Boston Red Sox throws to first base in the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 15: Tzu-Wei Lin #5 of the Boston Red Sox throws to first base in the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Boston Red Sox Bobby Poyner
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 05: Bobby Poyner #66 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eleventh inning of the Red Sox home opening game at Fenway Park on April 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox minor league system was highlighted by some scalding hot prospects this week. Who took charge and rose their stocks?

A lot is changing for the Boston Red Sox at the moment. The Hanley Ramirez news shook things around quite drastically. While the move was unexpected, it has some positive repercussions for the younger players on the team.

One of the biggest changes could go to Blake Swihart. While he isn’t in the minor leagues, the extremely minimal playing time this year might confuse some non-Red Sox fans into thinking he is. Now that Ramirez is out of the picture, more time could become available to the utility-man.

Outside of the Major League roster, things are changing as well. This frees up first base a little bit in the future. Giving players like Sam Travis a chance to see the big leagues again maybe a little sooner than expected. The log-jam certainly has cleared up a little for him.

First base isn’t the only position that had something effect it this week. Bobby Poyner was sent back down to the minors. This has nothing to do with how he played though. Steven Wright was activated not too long ago. Then Hector Velazquez made his way back from the disabled list as well.

Moves had to be made to make room for the two, and Poyner (as one of the few with options left) drew the short-stick.

Due to that, Poyner’s spot on the top-30 prospect list is safe. This means that (barring something crazy) no one will be finding their way into the group by next week.

There’s still plenty to talk about though, as some players got hot since the last installment. So let’s jump right in.

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