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Boston Red Sox: Four things to watch for in 2019 spring training

By Jacob Anes

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Ryan Brasier #70 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Ryan Brasier #70 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – JUNE 28: Third basemen Bobby Dalbec #3 of the Arizona Wildcats hits an RBI single against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the first inning during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 28, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

2. Position player prospects

At this point, it is pretty well known that the Red Sox do not have the strongest farm system. However, they do still have some intriguing prospects who should see the field during the spring. The Red Sox top prospect, third baseman Michael Chavis, figures to get a fair amount of at-bats, especially considering the chances he makes an impact at the major league level this year. The Red Sox have been rumored to want to test him out at second base. He could see time in the majors at third, first, second and possibly some left.

Third baseman Bobby Dalbec was drafted in 2016 in the 4th round. After being pretty average in his first two full seasons in the minors, Dalbec exploded in 2018, posting a .919 OPS over two levels, while hitting 32 home runs.

However, with the potent power numbers comes high strikeout rates. In High-A ball he struck out 31% of the time and in Double-A that rose to 37.1%. This spring we should get a look at him against major league pitching, albeit in limited at bats.

This breakout has moved him all the way up to No. 3 on the Red Sox top prospects. One unique skill that Dalbec possesses over the other third baseman in the system is his defensive ability. While most consider Rafael Devers to have the potential to be a good defender, Chavis is likely to move at some point, being a worse defender than Devers and Dalbec. The Red Sox will also likely test Dalbec out at other positions too, with Devers having third base in the majors under control.

In addition to these two, Josh Ockimey, who is the Red Sox No. 25 prospect, will likely see some time, being one of the position players closer to the majors. However, it is unclear how the Red Sox plan to use him in the future, considering the number of corner infielders they have.

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