Red Sox Prospect Watch: Players already separating themselves

BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: The American Flag is draped from the Green Monster as Gold Star families and Veterans from the Red Sox organization look on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: The American Flag is draped from the Green Monster as Gold Star families and Veterans from the Red Sox organization look on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 1: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox exits the bullpen before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park on August 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 1: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox exits the bullpen before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park on August 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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.

CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Sam Travis #59 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Sam Travis #59 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: The number of former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz #34 is retired during a ceremony before a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park on June 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: The number of former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz #34 is retired during a ceremony before a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park on June 23, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Portland Sea Dogs

The Red Sox Double-A team is absolutely stacked with prospects. Bobby Dalbec is hitting .250 with five RBI early on. He’s walked seven times and has one double and one home run so far. There are quite a few positives and no one should be discouraged by the lack of power. The home runs will come – in bunches.

C.J. Chatham is hitting .300 with six doubles already this season. He’s done absolutely nothing to convince me he won’t be a .300 hitter in the Majors at some point. The shortstop has also looked great in the field and could be seeing at least one promotion this year.

More from Red Sox Prospects

Brett Netzer is slashing .333/.375/.400 so far this year. The 22-year-old second baseman is in his first year in Double-A. He’s been an extremely professional hitter his entire career and is looking even better early on.

Durbin Feltman gave up one run on one hit and two walks (one strikeout) in his first inning of work this year. Since then, he’s thrown two perfect innings – striking out three more. Dominant Feltman is back – this time in Double-A. The only question really is how long he’ll spend at the level.

Matthew Kent had a great first year in Double-A last season. This year, he’s already thrown six innings and has yet to give up a run. The left-handed pitcher has a 0.83 WHIP as opponents are hitting just .150 against him.

Adam Lau posted a 4.13 ERA with Portland last year. In 4 2/3 innings this season, the right-handed pitcher hasn’t allowed a run. He’s given up just two hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Kyle Hart has a 3.75 ERA through two starts. In 12 innings the left-handed pitcher has 20 strikeouts compared to one walk. The 26-year-old is definitely one of the more underrated prospects in the system.

Tanner Houck followed up his poor first start with a stellar second one. The 22-year-old went five innings, giving up one run. That helped to lower his ERA to 8.00 over the first nine innings of his 2019 season. Houck is one of the best pitching prospects the Red Sox have and his ERA will continue to drop significantly for a while.

Denyi Reyes struggled in start number two. The 22-year-old now has a 4.50 ERA over two starts (10 innings). Opponents are still hitting just .189 against him though and you should expect more dominant starts from him than bad ones.

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Pitcher Bryan Mata #34 of the World Team and the Boston Red Sox works the third inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Pitcher Bryan Mata #34 of the World Team and the Boston Red Sox works the third inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

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.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox and Triston Casas #20 of the Boston Red Sox talk after batting practice before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox and Triston Casas #20 of the Boston Red Sox talk after batting practice before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Red Sox Prospect Watch: Start of the 2019 MiLB season. dark

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.

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