Triple-A (Pawtucket Red Sox)
Jantzen Witte is a curious case. I covered him in a few Prospect Watch articles last season, and I believe this is his first appearance this year. He’s currently hitting .329 in Triple-A and .290 overall in the minors this season. The 29-year-old has never played a game in the Majors – but he’s proven to be solid in the minors.
Sam Travis has caught fire. The first baseman has an eight-game hitting streak at the moment – six of which are multi-hit games. That’s caused his average to rise from .211 to .273. He’s not just slapping singles either. The right-handed batter has six doubles and one triple, to go along with two home runs. He’s driven in 13 runs and scored 15 more while going 3-for-3 on steal opportunities. Travis is once again looking like that offensive juggernaut the Red Sox have hoped he could become.
The 25-year-old isn’t the only player for Pawtucket on a hitting streak. Josh Tobias is on a 10-game streak at the moment, raising his average from .167 to .264 in the process. The 26-year-old switch-hitter can play multiple positions around the field and has decent speed. He was struggling in Double-A but the fact that he’s found his swing a little bit in Triple-A is extremely encouraging.
Josh Ockimey probably won’t be a .300-hitter any time soon. However, he’s got plenty of power and he’s shown that off this season. The left-handed hitter already has six doubles and eight home runs in 2019, despite a .214 average. That’s led to a pretty solid 17 RBI and 17 runs scored. He’s currently on pace to shatter his old career-high in home runs (20).
Mike Shawaryn had another strong outing this week, giving up just two earned runs on three hits (no walks) in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander has a 2.79 ERA in 42 innings this season. He boasts a .224 BAA and 1.07 WHIP and has yet to go less than five innings in a start.
Teddy Stankiewicz had a fantastic week. The right-hander made two starts, giving up just two earned runs in 10 innings. He has a .250 BAA, which is drastically improved from last season. The 25-year-old also has a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings – but the 13 walks are a little worrying. Despite that, it’s hard not to be excited about this wonderful start for Stankiewicz.
Bobby Poyner‘s 5.54 ERA might be a little troublesome at the moment. However, the lefty has looked great in his last two appearances – giving up just one hit over two innings while striking out four.
Trevor Kelley is having no such problems this year. The 25-year-old righty has a 1.76 ERA over 15 1/3 innings pitched. Piggybacking off a fantastic 2018 – this should be the year he makes his MLB debut.
Josh Taylor has a 3.07 ERA and two saves in 13 appearances. The lefty has struck out 20 batters over 14 2/3 innings and has yet to give up a home run.
Travis Lakins has a 4.15 ERA in 11 appearances. The righty has been used sparingly recently though – which could throw off a rhythm. His one appearances in the Majors was solid – and that’s what should be focused on.
Matthew Kent is in Triple-A! The lefty had a 1.69 ERA in Double-A and now has a 3.60 ERA in Triple-A after giving up two runs in five innings in his only outing so far.