Jarren Duran already has seven triples for the Lowell Spinners this season. The 21-year-old is hitting .337 on the year with four doubles and one homer, but it’s the triples stealing the show. Duran also has 11 RBI and 22 runs scored, as well as six steals in 24 games.
Tyler Esplin is slashing just .202/.302/.393 this season, however, there’s plenty to love. There’s a reason the left-handed hitting outfielder is ranked 20th in the Red Sox organization – raw power.
Esplin currently has 17 hits in 84 at-bats, but nine of them are for extra bases. The 19-year-old has also already driven in 12 runs and stolen two bases in two attempts.
Speaking of steals, Cole Brannen is 10-for-11 in Lowell and 19-for-21 overall this season. The 19-year-old is hitting .235 with just one extra-base hit (a triple) and seven RBI, but the steals are more-than-enough to get excited about. His age should hamper some of the concerns about his low average to this point in his career. There’s plenty of time for Brannen to figure things out at the plate.
Tyler Dearden was drafted in the 29th round last season. The 20-year-old is trying to prove he was a steal, as he’s slashing .319/.405/.431 in Short-A this year. He’s only had 72 at-bats, but the left-handed hitter already has six doubles and one triple. Meanwhile, he’s driven in seven runs and scored 13 more.
Eduard Bazardo has a 2.53 ERA in six starts this year. The right-handed pitcher has 37 strikeouts in 32 innings and has walked only four. Opponents are hitting .176 against the 22-year-old, who holds a 0.76 WHIP. This is his first season in Short-A, and Bazardo looks more than ready for the competition.
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Oddanier Mosqueda has appeared in nine games and threw exactly two innings in every one. Over those 18 innings, the 19-year-old has allowed four earned runs (2.00 ERA). Walks have been a problem for the lefty (14) but his 23 strikeouts help keep him out of too much trouble. Opponents are hitting .154 against Mosqueda and have yet to hit a home run.