Red Sox Prospect Watch: Deadly combination mashing in Double-A
By Hunter Noll
Mike Shawaryn looked better in start number two in Triple-A. Then there was start number three, where he was completely dominant.
Shawaryn’s most recent start saw him toss a complete-game seven-inning shutout. The right-hander allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six. He’s now 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three starts for Pawtucket. The 23-year-old probably won’t see the Majors in 2018, but is definitely on track for a 2019 appearance.
Bobby Poyner has 10 2/3 innings in the Majors this season, and a 1.69 ERA to show for it. Despite that, the left-hander has spent most of the season in the minors. This seems odd because not only does he have the numbers in the Majors, but Poyner’s had no problems in the minors. He has a 2.29 ERA over 35 1/3 Triple-A innings.
Matthew Gorst now has seven innings under his belt in Triple-A. Just like in Double-A (20 1/3 innings), the right-hander has yet to give up an earned run. Despite starting the year in Advanced-A, Gorst might have the best chance of any prospect to make his MLB-debut this year. The Red Sox are still searching for bullpen help and the 23-year-old can’t do much more to prove his point.
Trevor Kelley also has a chance to taste the Majors this season. The 24-year-old was having a solid season in Double-A but has turned it up a few notches since being promoted to Pawtucket. Kelley now has a 1.33 ERA over 20 1/3 Triple-A innings and a 2.81 ERA in 48 innings overall this year.
Travis Lakins continues to show that the move to the bullpen has done wonders for him. After only getting stronger-and-stronger as the season went on in Double-A, the 24-year-old now has a 1.50 ERA over six Triple-A innings.
The Red Sox are in search for immediate bullpen help to close out this season. They shouldn’t be too worried about their future though, as the Triple-A roster (and more) has plenty of potential stars.
Sam Travis bumped his average up once again. Just a few weeks ago, this season seemed almost lost for the first baseman. His numbers were miserable and could’ve led to him completely falling out of favor with the team. All of a sudden though, Travis is putting up a respectable season.
The 24-year-old is hitting .264 with 12 doubles and seven home runs. He’s driven in 36 runs and scored 31 more in 83 games. That’s actually his highest RBI-total since 2015.
Josh Ockimey has slumped a little and is now 7-for-36 (.194) with Pawtucket. The left-handed hitter has two home runs and seven RBI, as well as one steal. His numbers shouldn’t be too much of a focus, as it’s just good to have him in Triple-A to end the season so he can start there next year with some experience.
Tzu-Wei Lin has something. Don’t let that small sample size in the Majors tell you otherwise. The shortstop is hitting .330 with 23 extra-base hits in 55 games. He enjoyed a breakout year with the bat last season, but this is next-level.
Rusney Castillo is still waiting for his chance back in the Majors. For the time being, he’ll continue leading Pawtucket in basically every stat. His .323 average and .366 OBP are tops (Lin technically holds higher numbers in both categories but has barely half-as-many at-bats). Castillo also leads the team in doubles (28) and steals (11), as well as RBI (54) and runs scored (53).