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

By Hunter Noll

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Chavis #65 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles during the Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 27, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Chavis #65 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles during the Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 27, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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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)

Jarren Duran was a home run shy of the cycle on Saturday. So he ripped home run number one of the year the very next day. I swear he’s bored and just toying with people at this point. The left-handed hitter has a .383/.431/.550 slash line this season. He has three doubles and two triples to go with that one homer. The four RBI are overshadowed by the 11 runs scored and five steals already. With 82 MiLB games under his belt, Duran’s yet to show a weakness. He’ll get at least one promotion this season.

I told you Victor Acosta would be fine. The outfielder is already back up to a .333 average after three straight multi-hit games. He has three doubles and two RBI on the year, to go with two steals and six runs scored.

Garrett Benge is also slowly turning things around. The corner infielder has a three-game hitting streak and is back up to a .235 average (.371 OBP).

Pedro Castellanos is hitting .207, but again that’s an improvement from the previous week. The right-handed hitter has two doubles and eight RBI on the year as well.

Marco Hernandez isn’t exactly a prospect anymore. In fact, he’s a proven commodity in the Majors. That’s why it’s great to see him back on the field after missing most of 2017 and all of 2018. He hasn’t played much (1-for-7), but again it’s just great to see him back.

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Bryan Mata is the same breed as Duran. I don’t know what it is but it’s not human. The 19-year-old righty has a 0.54 ERA (one earned run in 16 2/3 innings) on the year. He’s struck out 17 already and opponents are hitting just .177 against him. Like in the past, he’s kept the ball in the park (zero home runs this season and just six allowed in his career).

However, unlike in the past – Mata’s figured out his control. He walked 58 batters and hit 12 more in 72 innings last year. This season he’s walked just four and hit two so far, on the way to a 0.90 WHIP.

Eduard Bazardo gave up one earned run in 2 1/3 innings in his last outing. That ballooned his ERA from 0.96 to 1.54. He’s struck out 11 in 11 2/3 innings so far. The right-hander has a .163 BAA and 0.94 WHIP.

Kutter Crawford has a 2.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings. Joan Martinez isn’t far behind with a 3.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts over nine innings. Both should be watched carefully this season.

Dominic LoBrutto allowed two runs in two innings in Double-A. He’s been much better in Advanced-A though. The left-hander has a 1.04 ERA in 8 2/3 innings so far. He’s struck out seven compared to three walks.

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