Red Sox Prospect Watch: Players already separating themselves

It’s week two of the 2019 Boston Red Sox prospect watch and certain players are already separating themselves from the pack.

Another week has gone by – and with it, players are already starting to separate themselves from the pack. The Boston Red Sox minor leagues are riddled with players trying to make a name for themselves.

There are the older players that are trying to get back to the Majors in Triple-A. As well as the veteran minor leaguers who still haven’t found their way to the highest level yet.

Then there’s the elite prospects. The ones that everyone expects big things from and the players already have a pretty bright spotlight on them.

Finally, there are the under appreciated prospects. The ones that consistently put up solid numbers in the minors, but don’t get the recognition they deserve – not from the fans or it seems the organization.

Here I get to highlight all those players. And through just two weeks in the season, we’ve already got some players showing out. Some players from all the categories mentioned above – and from every level in the minors – have started off the year strong.

Which players are looking to make a name for themselves early in the year? Who’s proving the supporters right and the doubters wrong so far?

Once again, there’s really nothing to talk about at the Major League level. Marcus Walden has been sent back to the minors, giving the Red Sox an extra spot on the roster. This could be taken by someone like Bobby Poyner – who would at least give us a prospect of sorts to talk about in the future.

Triple-A (Pawtucket Red Sox)

The Pawtucket Red Sox have quite a few high profile veterans that an eye should be kept on.

Sandy Leon is hitting .120 with no RBI to this point. Although his value comes from his defense and ability behind the plate and as a game caller, this is slightly problematic. If the Red Sox need Leon at some point, the hope would be that he could provide a little something at the plate.

Rusney Castillo‘s had two straight monster games and is now up to a .294 average with two doubles and two home runs, to go along with eight RBI and five runs scored. The outfielder routinely leads Pawtucket in multiple offensive categories. This year it’s already looking like he’ll produce big numbers again. Castillo’s definitely proven he deserves another chance in the Majors – maybe this is the year it happens.

Sam Travis is hitting .231 (with two steals??) but with a strong .355 OBP. He’s the Red Sox emergency plan at first base and will get another chance this year.

Josh Ockimey and Michael Chavis have both turned it around already.

Ockimey is up to .259 (.459 OBP) with two doubles and three home runs. He’s driven in seven runs and scored five more. The first base prospect is showing that power that’s been improving yearly.

Chavis is up to .258 (.351 OBP) with one double and three home runs. He’s driven in four runs and scored five more. So far, Chavis has appeared at first base for one game and third base for four games. The biggest surprise is that he’s played four games at second base as well. Boston’s clearly trying to find a way to get him to the Majors at some point this year.

Mike Shawaryn has a 3.18 ERA through two starts. He’s struck out 14 batters in 11 1/3 innings and has a clean 1.06 WHIP. The right-handed pitcher is Boston’s most Major-League-ready starting pitching prospect and should get a spot start this year.

Travis Lakins has a 3.60 ERA in five appearances. He’s thrown five innings and already has eight strikeouts compared to one walk. The right-handed pitcher could provide bullpen help for Boston this season.

Advanced-A (Salem Red Sox)

I stand by my belief from last season – Jarren Duran isn’t human. The 22-year-old is hitting .375 with two doubles and one triple. He’s stolen four bases in four attempts and has eight runs scored. The left-handed hitter has a 10-game hitting streak to start the year. Big things are in his future.

Victor Acosta is hitting .261 (.370 OBP) with a double and two steals. He’s not the prototypical prospect, as there’s nothing he’s spectacular at. Acosta is a solid outfielder who can do a little bit of everything though. That could get him far.

Shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald is hitting .421 this year – seriously. He’s smacked six doubles and two triples as well – so it’s not like he’s just slapping weak singles everywhere. The left-handed hitter’s driven in 11 runs and scored six more.

Pedro Castellanos is hitting .176 but is looking a lot better recently. The first baseman hasn’t struck out in three contests and has two multi-hit games in his last five starts.

Marino Campana is also struggling to start the year. The outfielder has a .172 average with just one home run so far. However, Campana has drawn three walks while not striking out over his last two games – that’s a major positive. The 21-year-old has a lot of promise and should be given an opportunity to break out of the early slump.

Bryan Mata is 19. The right-handed pitcher also has a 0.82 ERA in his first 11 innings this year. In that time, he’s walked just one batter. That’s major as he’s had tremendous control problems in the past. Mata’s struck out 11 and has a 0.82 WHIP as well. He’s already considered a top-prospect for Boston and things will only go up.

Eduard Bazardo isn’t far behind Mata when it comes to production this year. The right-handed pitcher has a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. He’s struck out six and walked just three. Amazing, like Mata, he has an identical WHIP at 0.96. The 23-year-old is pitching in Advanced-A for the first time ever but is bringing the same dominance he’s always had with him.

Full-A (Greenville Drive)

Yoan Aybar has a 16.88 ERA. Sometimes numbers lie though. His first three outings equated to 2 2/3 innings. In that time walked three, but also struck out three. The 21-year-old also allowed just one hit and no earned runs. His last outing saw the left-handed pitcher not record an out though. He gave up three hits and two walks – along with five earned runs. That outing has ballooned his numbers despite looking strong most of the season.

Triston Casas is hitting just .219 but has a .350 OBP. He has three doubles and one home run as well as a solid two steals on the year. The 19-year-old is a top prospect in baseball and the Red Sox will want to see a lot of him this year in the minors.

Kole Cottam is one of Boston’s best catching prospects. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter has posted a .160 average but has a .300 OBP.  Don’t be discouraged by the slow start – he has an amazing bat.

Juan Carlos Abreu is hitting .269 this season. The outfield already has six RBI and six runs scored. He had a fantastic 2018 and is already showing improvements in the run production area this season.

Brandon Howlett has a .160 average with two doubles and one RBI. The 19-year-old third baseman had a superb season in 2018 after being selected in the 21st round of the draft. A slow start at a new level of the minors shouldn’t be that surprising, and no one should be discouraged.

If Cole Brannen gets on, he’ll steal a base. The problem is, he’s struggled to get on. The 20-year-old has a .135 average and .200 OBP on the season. Despite that, he’s already got six steals in six attempts. His ridiculous speed makes him a fantastic prospect as the outfielder works to improve his bat. If that can happen, Brannen becomes a top prospect once again.