Triple-A (Pawtucket Red Sox)
The Pawtucket Red Sox have two intriguing first base prospects. Sadly, both are struggling at the moment.
Sam Travis is hitting .226 but has looked better at the plate the last few days. The problem with that is this seems to be a trend. Travis dips his average, then gets hot for a little, then dips it again. Hopefully, we can see some sustained success at the plate from him because he’s still just 25 and has solid all-around potential.
Like Travis, Josh Ockimey is very susceptible to lulls at the plate, but can also get extremely hot. Right now the 23-year-old is ice cold. He’s 1-for-his-last-16, dropping his average to .220. However, Ockimey does have six doubles and five home runs (both team leads) – and is second on the team in RBI with 14.
The team’s RBI-leader is Rusney Castillo with 22, he’s also tied for first in doubles (6) and is first in runs (18) and second in homers (4).
Mike Shawaryn has to be closing in on his MLB debut. David Price was just placed on the Injured List and Shawaryn’s been awesome. The right-hander’s last start saw him go eight shutout innings, allowing just five hits and one walk. His ERA is down to 2.72 over 36 1/3 innings this year.
Trevor Kelley could also be on his way to a debut. The 25-year-old righty has a 1.59 ERA over 11 1/3 innings this season. He has a .244 BAA and has allowed just three walks on the year. Kelley’s been awesome every step of the way in the minors – it’s time to check him out in the Majors.
Then there’s Teddy Stankiewicz. His eight walks and 4.09 ERA in 11 innings might not indicate a great start to the season for the 25-year-old – but that’s simply not right. The right-hander has a .237 BAA – vastly lower than the .275 he posted last season. The ERA is lower than last season as well, and he’s only given up one home run so far.
There’s plenty of reason to believe this is the year Stankiewicz shows he’s more than just a workhorse pitcher who can eat innings.
Travis Lakins also has a 4.09 ERA at the moment. For the reliever though, numbers aren’t as important. He’s proven he can be effective in the Majors and will get another shot with the Red Sox regardless.
Bobby Poyner‘s 5.23 ERA would’ve been viewed similarly before the start of the season. However, he has an 18.00 ERA in two innings in the Majors this season. That doesn’t mean much to me as it’s a small sample size. I’ve watched Poyner for years and know he’ll be fine in the Majors. However, some on social media seem to be worried about him – don’t be.