Red Sox Prospect Watch: Triston Casas is picking up steam

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.