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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OMAHA, NE – JUNE 28: Third basemen Bobby Dalbec #3 of the Arizona Wildcats hits an RBI single against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the first inning during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 28, 2016 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)

C.J. Chatham‘s back and hasn’t skipped a beat. In two days he’s played in three games – collecting a hit in all three. The shortstop’s average has raised to .316 due to that. Chatham has 10 doubles to go along with 18 RBI, 16 runs scored and four steals.

Jhon Nunez is one of the hottest hitters in the Red Sox minors. The catcher has looked great all season long but has been particularly feeling it lately. He’s up to a .310 average with eight doubles (one off his career-high) and one triple, with 13 RBI and 17 runs scored. The switch-hitter also has a career-high four home runs.

Bobby Dalbec is slashing .242/.379/.493 with 10 doubles, one triple, and 14 home runs. He’s driven in 37 runs and scored 34 more, walking an incredible 42 times.

Jarren Duran is only hitting .196 but is heating up – collecting a hit in three straight games. The outfielder has three RBI and eight runs scored, stealing two bases. There’s really nothing to worry about with Duran. He’s been so dominant at every level and this is just a short learning curve.

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Dedgar Jimenez is back in Double-A, and back to locking down any offense that dares face him. The lefty should be given a longer look in Triple-A, and I’d even be comfortable with him getting a spot-start in the Majors if needed.

Jimenez has a 3.14 in Double-A after throwing six shutout innings on Sunday. He hasn’t had a bad start for Portland in what seems like forever. While he struggled mightily in Triple-A, two games (one being decent enough) isn’t a big enough sample size to judge.

Tanner Houck has a 4.02 ERA after two solid starts this week. The 22-year-old has been great in his last five starts and has lowered his ERA over 1.00 full run in that time. His improving maturity and composure on the mound should be bigger stories than they are.

Denyi Reyes is at a 4.69 ERA this year but has a lot of positives to build off of. The 22-year-old hasn’t had more than two walks in a game in over a month now and has had a number of lights-out starts. Expect things to trend up most of the year.

Now let’s get back to those bullpen options for the Red Sox because Portland has a lot.

Matthew Gorst has to be near the top of the list. In 13 1/3 innings in Triple-A this year he has a 2.70 ERA. In 17 2/3 innings in Double-A he has a 2.04 ERA. Combined between the two, the righty has a 2.32 ERA and .198 BAA in 31 innings pitched, going 2-for-2 in save opportunities.

Next up we have Jake Cosart. In 19 2/3 innings in Advanced-A, the righty had a 1.83 ERA and was 5-for-5 in save opportunities. Now he’s thrown nine innings in Double-A without allowing a run. In that time, he’s struck out 12 and has a .133 BAA and 0.89 WHIP.

Then we have Durbin Feltman, who has really turn things around following a poor start to the year. The 22-year-old had an ERA over 7.00 a month ago but is down to 4.62 having not allowed an earned run in his last seven innings. He has 24 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings and a .174 BAA.

Adam Lau is the final name on the list. Although he has a 5.79 ERA in 9 1/3 innings in Triple-A, his 1.59 ERA in 22 2/3 innings in Double-A makes up for it. The righty has 28 strikeouts and a .203 BAA in his time with Portland.

Schedule