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.