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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Red Sox
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.

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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