Red Sox Prospect Watch: Major call-up creates buzz in system

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OMAHA, NE – JUNE 28: Third basemen Bobby Dalbec #3 of the Arizona Wildcats hits an RBI single against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the first inning during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 28, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)

C.J. Chatham will hit .300 in the Majors. I’ve said it before and I’ll gladly say it again. You’ll hear it a lot during the Prospect Watch’s this season, so get used to it.

Chatham is hitting a ridiculous .347 on the year. He’s almost walked (6) as many times as he’s struck out (8) and already has nine doubles and 10 RBI. The right-handed hitter also has nine runs scored and has reached base in 12-of-13 games he’s appeared in this year.

Brett Netzer is another great example of a professional hitter. The second baseman has a .306 average on the season. He’s not going to give you much power (two doubles are his only extra-base hits this year), but he knows how to put the ball in play.

Jeremy Rivera has flashed a lot of potential with the bat in the past. This could be the year he really puts it all together. In a small sample size, the switch-hitter is 6-for-15 (.400) with a double and a home run. He’s driven in three runs and scored three more, walking once. Last season was his best year in the minors and the 24-year-old seems to be building off it.

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Bobby Dalbec has struggled so far this season (.205 average). However, the extremely powerful prospect is showing signs of turning it around. He’s collected a hit and at least one RBI in each of the last two games. On Monday his hit just so happened to be a two-run home run (number two on the year). Expect a lot more of those.

Although losing Blake Swihart was definitely a negative, the Red Sox did get an interesting prospect in return. Marcus Wilson is a 22-year-old outfielder with a lot going for him. The right-handed hitter has plenty of speed (15-plus steals in each of the last three seasons). He’s also got enough pop to keep defenses honest (10 home runs last year and two already this season). He’ll be a great addition to the outfield and brings a good glove with him.

Adam Lau has still yet to give up an earned run. In 6 1/3 innings opponents are hitting .136 and he’s struck out 13. He has a 0.90 WHIP to go along with his 0.00 ERA.

Durbin Feltman hasn’t been as dominant. The right-hander has more-than-enough time to turn it around though. He’s given up three runs in five innings (5.40 ERA). Opponents are hitting just .125 though and he’s struck out seven in that time.

Darwinzon Hernandez has a ridiculous 1.80 ERA over 10 innings. The left-handed pitcher already has 15 strikeouts and will only raise his stock even more this season.

Matthew Kent‘s building off a great 2018 with a 0.87 ERA to start 2019. He’s allowed just one run and seven hits over 10 1/3 innings so far. The left-handed pitcher has a .200 BAA and 1.06 WHIP.

Dedgar Jimenez isn’t having much luck so far. The 23-year-old has a 19.64 ERA after getting knocked around in his last start. He’s thrown just 3 2/3 innings this year, giving up eight runs. It’s still incredibly early so this isn’t anything to worry about for the lefty. Full confidence that he’ll turn it around.

Tanner Houck‘s already turning it all around. He allowed seven earned runs in four innings in his first start of the year (15.75 ERA). The next start saw him allow just one run in five innings though. Then the righty had an absolutely dominant start to top it all off. He threw five innings again, this time allowing no runs on just one hit. The sixth overall prospect for Boston struck out nine without walking any. He’s now down to a 5.14 ERA and has 15 strikeouts in 14 innings.

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