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

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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Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 26: David Price #24 of the Boston Red Sox enters the bullpen to warm up before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

4. Denyi Reyes

Signed in 2014, Denyi Reyes was an afterthought of the Red Sox international signing class in a year in which they signed highly touted guys such as Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada. Fast forward five years later and Reyes will likely make the biggest impact of the three, with Moncada in Chicago after being traded for Chris Sale and Rusney Castillo seemingly being stuck in the minors forever.

After an incredible 2018 season, Reyes moved up on the Red Sox prospect rankings, currently sitting at 19. In 155.2 innings, he struck out 145 batters and walked just 19. Due to a lack of velocity, Reyes relies on pinpoint control to get batters out and it seems it works. His breakout even led the Red Sox to protect him in the rule 5 draft, which really shows how highly the front office views him.

While it is difficult to envision him cracking the majors this year, considering he finished last season at High-A, he is definitely someone to keep an eye on. So far this spring, he has thrown one scoreless inning against the Twins. Reyes could potentially be a high riser if he continues his domination of the lower minors, and hopefully, he will get to throw a bunch of innings this spring. The lower velocity likely plays better as a starter than a reliever.

Schedule