Red Sox Prospect Watch: Bobby Dalbec crushing once again

Advanced-A (Salem Red Sox)

The Salem Red Sox might have the most exciting lineup in all of the Boston Red Sox minor leagues right now. It all starts with Jarren Duran. I’m going to say it every time because it astonishes me. How is he not promoted yet? I fully expect him to be in Double-A (or higher) by next week.

Why is that, you ask? Because Duran is hitting .412 (.469 OBP) – that’s why. The left-handed hitter has eight doubles, three triples, and one home run as well. Most importantly though, he’s driven in 10 runs, stolen 13 bases and scored a ridiculous 34 runs in 32 games. At this point, I don’t know who will be happier when he finally gets promoted, him or the opposing Advanced-A pitchers.

Pedro Castellanos continues to raise his average as well – as the first baseman now has a .308 average on the season. Castellanos has 11 doubles and 18 runs scored – as well as a tied-for-team-lead 27 RBI. He’s only struck out 15 times in 33 games.

More from Red Sox Prospects

• Predicting top Red Sox outfield prospect Ceddanne Rafaela’s timeline to the majors
• Predicting Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer’s timeline to the majors
• Red Sox risk repeating rookie mistake with Eric Hosmer release
• Red Sox invited group of players you’ve probably never heard of to Spring Training
• Jeter Downs’ official departure will continue to haunt Red Sox

The other player tied for the team lead in RBI is Ryan Fitzgerald. The shortstop has a .344 average and 15 runs scored to go along with that. He’s also ripped nine doubles and three triples – and has stolen eight bases.

Then there’s Victor Acosta. The outfielder is such a complete all-around hitter. He’s hitting .326 at the moment with 15 RBI and 12 runs scored. He only has five extra-base hits (all doubles) but has the type of swing that should produce tons of doubles and net him double-digit home run totals in the future.

Marco Hernandez shouldn’t be in Advanced-A. I understand not wanting to rush someone back – especially when there’s no room in the Majors – but this is ridiculous. Yes, he missed most of 2017 and all of 2018 but still – Hernandez is a proven MLB-bat.

He’s now played 18 games this year – all with Salem. In that time, he’s hitting .338 with seven doubles. The left-handed hitter has nine RBI and 13 runs scored, as well as one steal. Hernandez is still 26 and could be a great piece for the Red Sox in the future.

Eduard Bazardo has a 1.21 ERA. He also has two saves and 25 strikeouts compared to five walks over 22 1/3 innings. The right-hander has a .141 BAA and 0.72 WHIP and has yet to give up a home run. He’s the Jarren Duran of pitchers for Salem – he shouldn’t be in Advanced-A anymore.

Jake Cosart has figured it out this year after a miserable 2018 and I’m 100% here for it. The righty has a 1.72 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings so far. He’s 5-for-5 in save opportunities and has a .189 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.

Daniel Gonzalez has a .291 BAA and 1.34 WHIP so far this year. Neither are particularly good – but his 2.50 ERA is. What’s crazy about that is he has just 21 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings, so it’s not like he’s striking his way out of jams. Gonzalez does keep the ball in the yard though, only allowing one home run so far. The right-hander’s ERA trumps all the “eh” numbers.

Kutter Crawford doesn’t really have any “eh” numbers. The righty has a 2.48 ERA and 50 strikeouts, over 40 innings. He boasts a .218 BAA and 1.13 WHIP and is now 3-1 on the year.

Joan Martinez continues to be stellar in 2019 after a shaky 2018. In 18 2/3 innings this season, the righty has a 2.41 ERA and 31 strikeouts. He also has a 1.13 WHIP to go along with his .214 BAA – having yet to allow a homer.