Red Sox Prospect Watch: Victor Acosta has caught fire in Salem

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 22: A Boston Red Sox base plate between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 22: A Boston Red Sox base plate between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on June 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 23: Rusney Castillo #38 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball hit by Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on September 23, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Triple- A (Pawtucket Red Sox)

Teddy Stankiewicz really deserves a lot of credit for how well he’s pitched this season. He’s limited the “blowup” games and been dominant quite a few times. The right-handed pitcher went seven shutout innings in his last game, striking out seven. He has a 3.76 ERA and has only allowed six homers in 52 2/3 innings. Last season he allowed 24 in 150 1/3.

Kyle Hart also went seven innings in his last start, allowing two runs. The lefty has a 3.38 ERA in 24 Triple-A innings after posting a 2.91 ERA in 55 2/3 innings in Double-A. Hart has a sub-3.00 ERA throughout his minor league career and the 26-year-old is definitely making a case to debut this year.

It’s been said countless times already and it will be said countless times more. The Boston Red Sox have shown a need for bullpen help. There are quite a few options for them in the minors that definitely have strong cases.

Trevor Kelley is the main option in Triple-A, with a 1.10 ERA in 23 outings. He has a .217 BAA and 1.16 WHIP. The righty has five wins and is 3-for-3 in save opportunities. Four earned runs in 32 2/3 innings definitely deserves a look. Especially because he’s been dominant his entire MiLB career – this is no fluke season.

Josh Ockimey has risen his average up slightly to .212. That goes with a strong .361 OBP thanks to 45 walks. The 23-year-old has 10 doubles and two triples – going along with 15 home runs. He’s driven in 34 RBI and 38 runs scored. Although the average isn’t great, Ockimey has done everything else at a very high level.

Rusney Castillo is no prospect at 31. I still stand by my belief that he’s never been given a fair shot in the Majors. A .262 average in 99 MLB games is hardly something that deserves a banishment from the Boston for three years now.

Castillo’s hitting .289 with 12 doubles and six homers this season. He’s driven in 36 runs and scored 36 more. The outfielder has developed solidly all-around and I’d love to see him get a shot somewhere soon.

Tzu-Wei Lin is at a .295 average in Triple-A at the moment. It will be interesting to see what the Red Sox decide to do with him. Both he and Hernandez have upsides that the team should covet.

Chad De La Guerra is hitting .297 and in 29 games already has nine doubles, one triple, and five home runs. The infielder has 17 RBI and 16 runs scored – showing his versatility on offense.

Josh Tobias is having his best season in a long time. He was hitting .320 in Double-A and is now up to .300 in Triple-A. The 26-year-old has combined between the two leagues for 11 doubles and one triple, as well as four home runs.

Schedule