Red Sox Prospect Watch: Triston Casas is picking up steam

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 27: Michael Chavis #23 of the Boston Red Sox looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on April 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

The Boston Red Sox minor leagues are filled with standout performers in 2019. Triston Casas is breaking out and adding himself to that list.

The Boston Red Sox have still shown some cracks in the armor, but the addition of Michael Chavis has definitely energized the team. It’s also hard to see him not staying with the team. He’s shown an elite bat and solid defense.

A few things will happen due to that. First, Chavis will soon no longer be considered an official “prospect”. This means he’ll be taken off the list (currently the Red Sox top-ranked prospect) and someone else will be added to the top thirty.

The other thing that will happen is other prospects will get a bigger spotlight. Who will be the next player to be called up and help energize the team? Who are the next big stars that fans should be looking forward to?

Right now fans are being treated to Chavis, as well as a bunch of young talent on the Major League roster. That doesn’t mean there aren’t stars-in-the-making in the minors though.

There are plenty of players that have been proving they’re deserving of a bigger spotlight this season.

Triston Casas is the Red Sox number two overall prospect – poised to take the top spot from Chavis once he loses prospect eligibility. For a while, he wasn’t one of those minor leaguers putting up big numbers this season. He’s picking up steam now though – and is proving why he should be considered one of the best prospects in the game.

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE:SATURATION WAS REMOVED FROM THIS IMAGE) Josh Ockimey #85 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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.

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE:SATURATION WAS REMOVED FROM THIS IMAGE) Darwinzon Hernandez #80 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)

C.J. Chatham should be the main attraction of Portland. The shortstop just doesn’t stop hitting. He’s slashing .341/.394/.451 with 12 runs scored and 13 RBI. Meanwhile, the right-handed hitter has 10 doubles and one steal – showing off his all-around skills at the plate.

However, Chatham isn’t the only one hitting. Jeremy Rivera had a career-year in 2018 and is clearly trying to top himself in 2019.

Last season, the switch-hitter had career-highs in average (.262), steals (12), home runs (5), RBI (42) and runs (70). In 10 games this season he’s absolutely raking. Rivera has a .345 average with two doubles and two home runs. The 24-year-old has six RBI and six runs scored as well.

Jhon Nunez came out of the gates hot but struggled for a while. The 24-year-old catcher is back on track though. He’s hitting .310 thanks to a four-game hitting streak. The switch-hitter blasted his first homer of the season in his last game and has three doubles and a steal as well. Nunez is an interesting prospect as he has a lot of speed for a catcher.

Bobby Dalbec is the Red Sox number three overall prospect. The third baseman is hitting just .200 but has two home runs and 13 RBIs as well. He’s also showing a lot of patience, drawing 20 walks already – giving him a .358 OBP. Dalbec’s still 23 and coming off the best season of his career. There are some clear positives to build on so his low average isn’t much of a worry.

Baby Bartolo is back – it was only a matter of time. Dedgar Jimenez had a 19.64 ERA after his first two starts of the year. Since then, he’s had three spectacular starts – going six innings in each and allowing a total of four earned runs. The left-hander now has a 4.98 ERA and it’s just going to continue dropping.

While Jimenez is getting on track, some pitchers have been there all year. Matthew Kent has a 1.69 ERA through 26 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .211 with no home runs against him so far. The left-handed 26-year-old has been great his entire MiLB career, and it looks like he’s raised the bar in 2019.

Kyle Hart is another left-handed prospect who’s been underrated his entire career. The 26-year-old has a 2.83 ERA in 28 2/3 innings so far. He’s struck out 35 and has a ridiculous .198 BAA.

Adam Lau gave up his first earned runs of the year. The right-handed 24-year-old has a .178 BAA and 0.91 WHIP in eight appearances. He’s struck out 20 batters in 14 1/3 innings and has a save in one opportunity. The only two earned runs he’s given up this year were in his last appearance – in which he went 4 1/3 innings. That’s two innings longer than any of his other outings – so they can be forgiven.

Darwinzon Hernandez allowed just two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings his last outing. He now has a 4.96 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. Of course, more importantly, he has a 0.00 ERA and four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings in the Majors this year. Will he be back with the Red Sox in 2019?

Daniel McGrath had his first start of the year in 2019 in his last outing – going 5 2/3 innings. He now has a 2.16 ERA in 16 2/3 innings this season. The 24-year-old lefty has a .219 BAA and 19 strikeouts so far.

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)

How is Jarren Duran still here? The outfielder is 0-for-his-last-8 and is still slashing .378/.434/.505. He has five doubles and three triples, as well as one home run. The left-handed hitter has eight RBI and a ridiculous 26 runs and 12 steals.

What’s crazy is how he’s not that far ahead of a few other hitters. Ryan Fitzgerald is hitting .352 with eight doubles and three triples. The shortstop has 14 runs scored and 23 RBI – as well as eight steals.

Then there’s Victor Acosta. The outfielder is hitting .346 with 14 RBI and 11 runs scored, stealing three bases. He’s only struck out eight times while walking seven.

Pedro Castellanos still hasn’t hit a home run this year, but I don’t think anyone will care. The right-handed hitter has a .284 average with 10 doubles. He’s driven in 21 runs and scored another 16, stealing three bases. The first base prospect has a lot going for him – even if the expected power never comes.

Marco Hernandez is still in Advanced-A and hitting .333 with five doubles in 48 at-bats. I honestly don’t know why he’s still at this level. Sure, there’s no spot for the 26-year-old in the MLB right now. However, he’s clearly ready to help again whenever needed. Boston would be smart to get him reps at higher levels in-case that time comes.

Bryan Mata turned 20 and had his worst start of the year this week, giving up three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Most worrisome was his four walks – which were a big problem last season. However, he still has a 2.15 ERA and 31 strikeouts compared to 11 walks in 29 1/3 innings. He has a .193 BAA and 1.06 WHIP.

Eduard Bazardo has thrown 20 innings so far this year. He has a 1.35 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and .155 BAA in that time. The right-handed pitcher has 19 strikeouts compared to five walks so far – as well as two steals.

Kutter Crawford has a 2.60 ERA and .233 BAA this year. The righty has 34 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings so far. He had a very strong season in 2018 and looks even better in 2019.

Joan Martinez, on the other hand, struggled in 2018 – posting a 5.19 ERA. Like Crawford though, the 22-year-old righty is looking fantastic in 2019. He has a 2.55 ERA and .224 BAA this year. Martinez also has 28 strikeouts compared to six walks in 17 2/3 innings so far.

Andrew Politi gave up three earned runs in 1/3 innings in his last outing. The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher still has a 3.52 ERA on the year. He’s struck out 17 batters in 15 2/3 innings and has yet to give up a homer.

Dominic LoBrutto has allowed one earned run in 13 2/3 innings (0.66 ERA) so far. The 22-year-old lefty has a .184 BAA and 0.88 WHIP in Advanced-A this year. He’s 2-for-2 on save opportunities and has 15 strikeouts compared to just three walks – without giving up a home run.

Jake Cosart struggled in 2018 after strong 2016 and 2017. The 2014 third-round pick is back in form though. He’s thrown 13 2/3 innings in 2019, posting a 1.98 ERA. The 25-year-old righty has a 0.88 WHIP and 12 strikeouts compared to two walks. He’s also 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: 2018 first round draft pick Triston Casas #20 of the Boston Red Sox gives a pre-game interview before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Full-A (Greenville Drive)

Triston Casas started 2019 slow. The Red Sox first-round draft pick from last season was hitting .219 with two home runs and 11 RBI at this time last week. He’s now up to .242 with five home runs and 17 RBI now. The 19-year-old left-handed hitter is heating up – and this could get fun.

Casas isn’t the only 19-year-old who’s quickly heating up. This time last week Howlett had a .197 average with no home runs. Now he has a .232 average with one homer and a .333 OBP.