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

As Spring Training gets going, it is going to be important to start watching for certain things that could affect the opening day roster

With Spring Training beginning, baseball season will start gaining momentum. While a contending team like the Boston Red Sox will not have as much to watch for as other teams, there are still plenty of interesting players to look out for.

Over the past couple seasons, we have seen breakouts in the spring that led to players making the roster. Last season it was Bobby Poyner, and in 2017 it was Ben Taylor. Typically, relievers have the most interesting battles.

The Spring Training season kicked off last week with the Red Sox facing Northeastern. Mike Shawaryn got the start and will look to have a good spring as he could potentially make his big league debut at some point this season. In addition to Shawaryn, multiple young pitchers will get to display their abilities.

It is also a time for the regulars to get back into shape and for the fans to see if they have added new aspects to their game. The only known addition to any players game so far is Eduardo Rodriguez reportedly adding a slider that Chris Sale taught him.

1. A lot of relievers

Throughout the 2018 season, the Red Sox bullpen struggles were well documented. The group eventually stepped it up in October as the Red Sox won the World Series. However, it seems Craig Kimbrel is leaving and Joe Kelly, who came up big in the postseason, signed with the Dodgers, leaving many bullpen spots open.

Currently, Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier have spots locked up, with Heath Hembree also being a near lock. That leaves four spots for a large group of players. Steven Wright, if healthy, will take the fourth spot. Those competing for the remaining three spots include:

• Bobby Poyner
• Brian Johnson (no options left)
• Hector Velazquez
• Zach Putnam
• Colten Brewer
• Brian Ellington
• Tyler Thornburg
• Daniel Schlereth
• Josh Taylor
• Travis Lakins
• Brandon Workman
• Erasmo Ramirez
• Ryan Weber
• Marcus Walden
• Jenrry Mejia

That is 14 players. Obviously, some guys have a better chance than others. The first three all gave the Red Sox quality innings when used last year. Thornburg will be given one last chance if he shows signs of returning to old form and someone like Workman with more major league experience will make the roster with a strong spring. Walden remaining on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason is also telling.

However, some of the other guys have some intriguing qualities. Both Ellington and Taylor work with fastballs in the high 90’s, Lakins has dominated the minors as a reliever and can go multiple innings. Mejia had been putting together a solid career before his numerous suspensions and could have a lot of upside. It seems that a strong Spring Training could get some of the guys on the opening day roster.

Another to keep an eye on with relievers is their health. After electing free agency, the Red Sox re-signed Carson Smith to a minor league deal. While he is expected to start the year on the IL (no longer the DL), his progress in terms of throwing is worth keeping an eye out for, even if that is not in games. Once healthy, Smith could be one of the better relievers on the team.

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.

3. Michael Chavis

I mentioned Chavis in the previous slide, but given the opportunity he may get this season, I think it is worth covering him more.

After an incredible senior year in high school, the Red Sox drafted Chavis in the 2014 MLB draft. After struggling in his first two minor league seasons, finishing with a .682 OPS in 2015 and a .684 OPS, he broke out in a big way in 2017. He finished with a .910 OPS across High-A and Double-A and hit 31 home runs while doing so. This season pushed him up the Red Sox prospect rankings, landing him at the top spot by the end of the season, with a little help from Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers graduating.

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His 2018 got off to a rocky start when he got hurt early in spring training and was soon suspended 80 games for PEDs. Once he finally returned, he picked up where he left off an posted a .919 OPS across 3 levels in 46 games.

Coming into 2019, Chavis may have the opportunity to make an impact at the major league level. Chavis profiles as a bat-first player, with some suspect defense. It is very possible he plays more elsewhere than at third, considering Devers is set to start at third base. Despite the return of Dustin Pedroia, second base still remains an unknown and Chavis could be utilized in the outfield at times. His days playing shortstop are likely behind him. However, a lot of his role depends on Pedroia’s health and productivity.