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Red Sox top-30 prospect rankings after the 2018 season

By Hunter Noll

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 18: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations of the Boston Red Sox stands at home plate before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 18, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 5-4. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 18: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations of the Boston Red Sox stands at home plate before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 18, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 5-4. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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FT. MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 20: : : Esteban Quiroz #65 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during the Boston Red Sox photo day on February 20, 2018 at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

22. Esteban Quiroz

Pony! We’re back with another “Hunter Noll Guy”. I’m 100% convinced that if Esteban Quiroz didn’t get injured this season, he’d be in the Majors right now. The Red Sox had troubles at second base all year before and I believe he would’ve gotten a look.

Quiroz was brought over from the Mexican League this offseason, just like his friend Hector Velazquez was the year before. The second baseman is overlooked for a few reasons. First of all, he’s 5’7″, 175 lbs – so he’s already got the size bias. Then there’s the fact that he’s 26, so some might not see him as much of a “prospect”.

I look at it this way though – he still hasn’t been in the Majors, and he could still spend more than a decade there. Sounds like a prospect to me.

Quiroz slashed .299/.413/.598 in 24 games for Double-A Portland this season. He hit five doubles and seven home runs in 87 at-bats while scoring 19 runs and driving in 24 more.

The left-handed hitter’s bat is the real deal. Quiroz has the ability to hit around .300 with impressive power for someone his size and is a run production machine. He won’t steal 20 bags but has enough speed to be somewhat of a threat, and is great on the base paths.

Quiroz’s bat definitely overshadows his glove. Due to the offensive potential, I feel like his above-average defense is often left unmentioned. He’s got a great first step and good glove work. The Mexico native made his fair share of impressive plays in the field and has a good arm – especially for second base.

His best attributes do come on the offensive end though. The power (both gap and home run) is real – he could hit 50-plus extra-base hits given a full season. Meanwhile, the run production isn’t a fluke either. It’s not like he had 10-RBI one game then was quiet on that front for a while. Quiroz even boasted a streak that saw him get an RBI in seven straight games. At the same time, the worst RBI-less stretch of the season was a three-game skid. In those three games, Quiroz totaled six at-bats.

In terms of prospects who can help now, Esteban Quiroz should be on every Red Sox fan’s radar. He will be an impact player in the Majors.

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