Red Sox Prospect Watch: Austin Rei working his way back

Boston Red Sox catching prospect Austin Rei is working his way back to higher minor league levels as he attempts to return from injury.

I’ve long said that the Boston Red Sox have a lot of solid catchers in the minors that can be big parts of their futures. Someone I talked about a lot last season was Austin Rei. However, some people might have noticed he hasn’t been mentioned at all this year.

There’s a simple reason for that – he was hurt. Rei is making his way back though, playing for the GCL Red Sox. There, he’s 4-for-14 (.286) with one double and four RBI. I’m excited to get to talk about him regularly soon.

Remember, this is a guy who won the Red Sox minor league defensive player of the year award in 2017. He hit 30 doubles in 2017, then he had career-highs in average (.249), OBP (.355), triples (2) and home runs (7) last season. He tends to get on-base at a solid clip and should only continue to improve at the plate.

Overall, Rei is an all-around talent who can make a nice block behind the plate, gun out a runner and get on-base all in the same game. Great to have him back.

Meanwhile, Michael Chavis ended his first half in the Major Leagues with great numbers. The infielder is hitting .263 with eight doubles and one triple, as well as those 15 home runs. He’s driven in 48 runs and scored 38 more. It’s scary to think where the Red Sox would be without his bat right now – as he’s definitely brought some extra life to the lineup.

Of course, he definitely needs to work to strike out a little less and figure out that high fastball. If he can do that not only will his numbers sky-rocket, but the Boston lineup fills in another hole.

Triple-A (Pawtucket Red Sox)

Don’t get me started on Trevor Kelley. The reliever had his Major League debut last week, and admittedly it didn’t go all that well. Kelley gave up three runs in one inning of work. What annoys me is what happened next. The righty was sent back down to the minors.

Look, I get that it was a bad outing, but the man has a 1.13 ERA in Triple-A. Yes, his xFIP is high and all that other garbage but I’ll say it again – he consistently has low ERAs and he’s having a career year. The Red Sox meanwhile have very little bullpen depth.

He had a bad outing in his MLB debut? Wow. Shocking, someone was nervous and didn’t play perfectly in their first time in the Majors – that’s the furthest thing from headline news. Do you know what doesn’t help though? Sending them to the minors only to call them up again in a few weeks. Now they have the knowledge that if they aren’t perfect they’re going to get sent down again – just adding to the pressure. See how this could turn into a terrible cycle?

It’s one that’s hurt Travis Lakins and Bobby Poyner this year as well.

So why do some pitchers get unlimited chances despite having many implosion outings and having ERAs hovering 5.00, but the guy that’s been your organizations best MiLB reliever this year get just one before being sent down?

Anyways, happier news.

Darwinzon Hernandez has looked great in his two relief appearances so far. He’s combined to go 2 1/3 shutout innings, striking out two and most importantly walking none. The lefty will likely get an extended look in the MLB bullpen at some point this year if things continue to go well.

This will sound ridiculous, but you shouldn’t worry about Josh Ockimey‘s .206 batting average. He’s already mashed 17 home runs and his ridiculous 54 walks give him a strong .352 OBP. Yes, the 23-year-old first baseman will need to improve the average over time but everything else is great right now.

Chad De La Guerra is hurt at the moment and the only way to describe that is, it sucks. DLG is slashing .324/.399/.600 with 14 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs in 40 games. That’s absurd. He’s also driven in 26 runs and scored 26 more.

Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)

Darwinzon Hernandez isn’t the only pitcher trying to convert to the bullpen. Dedgar Jimenez is apparently making the move as well and I don’t know how I feel about it.

Something I’ve always loved about Jimenez is I feel confident he can give a team 5-6 innings whenever needed. However, only pitching out of the bullpen could make him ramp up the velocity on his fastball – that would make his changeup even better.

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

Jimenez’s first bullpen appearance was awesome. The lefty went two shutout innings, not allowing any hits and striking out three (two walks). He even got the save. However, his next appearance saw him give up two runs in 1 1/3 innings. That was due to three walks (he didn’t allow any hits) while striking out one.

Overall, I think it could work out great. I’d prefer him as a starter but the Red Sox don’t seem sold on it. If it takes a move to the bullpen for them to get behind Baby Bartolo I’m here for it.

Tanner Houck is also attempting a bullpen transition. He’s had a much rockier time though. The righty gave up six runs in 1/3 of an inning – skyrocketing his ERA to 4.30.

Eduard Bazardo has a 2.89 ERA in 9 1/3 innings so far in Double-A. He’s struck out 10 and hasn’t issued a walk in his last two outings (4 1/3 innings).

Adam Lau has a 1.84 ERA in 29 1/3 innings with the Portland Sea Dogs. He’s also 6-for-6 on saves and has 33 Ks in that time.

Bryan Mata made his Double-A debut this week. His first outing was typical Mata. The 20-year-old went six innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five. However, his next start was a little bit of a struggle. The righty gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks (five strikeouts) over 3 2/3 innings. That all adds up to a 5.59 ERA. However, it won’t take much for him to lower that.

Jarren Duran is back on the right track. He now has a three-game hitting streak – including a 4-for-5 night in his last game. JD now has a .240 average in Double-A, with five doubles and one triple. He can get stupid hot fast, and that’s threatening to happen right now.

Duran also went 1-for-2 in the Future’s Game.

C.J. Chatham is now hitting .318 on the year, riding a 10-game hitting streak. The shortstop has 19 doubles and two homers, scoring 28 runs and driving in 26 more – stealing four bases on five attempts.

Jhon Nunez is hitting .307 with career-highs in doubles (10) and home runs (4). He also has one triple, 15 RBI and 20 runs scored. The catcher is making his mark this year and deserves a look in Triple-A if I’m being honest.

Bobby Dalbec is hitting .229 but has a .370 OBP due to his 56 walks. Pitchers aren’t exactly thrilled to pitch to him and it makes sense. Dalbec has 11 doubles and 19 home runs already, driving in 48 runs and scoring 46 more.

Advanced-A (Salem Red Sox)

What’s Marcus Wilson still doing in Advanced-A? That’s right, it’s time for me to start complaining about someone needing a call-up again, buckle up.

Wilson is hitting .336 in 41 games with Salem. In that time, he’s hit 12 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs in 131 at-bats. He has a .414 OBP and .603 slugging percentage and has four steals to go along with 25 RBI and 24 runs scored. For the sake of Advanced-A pitchers everywhere get him out of there.

I know Wilson struggled in Double-A with Portland earlier. However, he had just 62 at-bats and was getting used to a new organization. It’s time to give him another look there.

Victor Acosta could also 100% use a promotion. The outfielder is hitting .316 with 14 doubles and one home run. He’s driven in 30 runs and scored 26 more, stealing five bases. Acosta is hurt at the moment but when he’s healthy I’d love to see him climb up the ladder.

Ryan Fitzgerald has seen his numbers dip but still has a .302 average and team-high 49 RBI. The shortstop has 16 doubles, five triples, and one home run and deserves more credit as a breakout star.

Michael Osinski is back BAAYYYBBEEEEEE!!! The infielder is hitting .296 in 10 games, hitting one double and driving in two runs in that time. Obviously, the numbers are small due to the injury but it’s just great to see him back.

Pedro Castellanos is getting hot again. The first baseman is hitting .279 with 19 doubles and one home run. He’s driven in 46 runs and scored 39 more, stealing nine bases – after having just three in his career before this year.

Thad Ward is proving that his Full-A performance was no fluke. In four starts for Advanced-A, he’s looking even more dominant. The 22-year-old has a 1.27 ERA in 21 1/3 innings so far. He’s struck out 25 batters and has just three walks in his last three starts (17 innings) after walking seven in his first start (4 1/3 innings).

Rio Gomez has a 2.31 ERA in 23 1/3 innings so far in Advanced-A. Between Salem and Greenville (Full-A) he’s 6-for-6 in save opportunities and has a .199 BAA and 0.96 WHIP.

Full-A (Greenville Drive)

Triston Casas is hitting .264 with 17 doubles, four triples, and 15 home runs. He’s scored 43 runs and driven in a ridiculous 60. The 19-year-old has been absolutely demolishing pitches and looks every bit the star the Red Sox were hoping for.

Tyler Dearden is hitting .256 with five doubles, one triple, and one home run. The outfielder just turned 21 (on July 6) and definitely brings a lot to the table. He’s someone that can become a great all-around hitter with plus-speed and strong defense. Definitely keep an eye on him.

Speaking of potential, Everlouis Lozada should be so much fun to watch. Extremely undersized (5’7″, 150 lbs) Lozada proves that doesn’t matter. The 20-year-old is hitting .261 (.349 OBP) with five doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He’s driven in 11 runs and scored 17 more, stealing one base. The second baseman looks much improved at the plate this year and has great potential in the field.

Kole Cottam is setting personal records. The catcher has a career-high in doubles (15) and home runs (4), as well as RBI (27) and runs scored (29). His numbers are only going to get better in the next few seasons.

Brandon Howlett is hitting .257 with a .359 OBP. The third baseman has 14 doubles (two off his personal best) and five home runs (one away from his career-high). He’s also driven in 25 runs (again two off his personal best) and scored 30 runs (a new career best). The 19-year-old still has a lot of growing to do but patience will pay off with him.

Chase Shugart looks really good in Full-A. The right-handed pitcher has a 1.76 ERA over eight starts (46 innings). In that time he’s held opponents to a .215 batting average and just two home runs. The 22-year-old has a 1.02 WHIP and 39 strikeouts on the year.

Yoan Aybar has had three straight scoreless outings. In that time, he’s thrown six innings and struck out nine batters, walking three. The strikeouts are getting ridiculous as he now has 42 in 33 innings. He’s walked 32 batters and has a 6.00 ERA but also has a lights-out .167 BAA. Fun to watch, but clearly has a long way to go.

Oddanier Mosqueda is just 20 years old. The left-handed pitcher has a 2.27 ERA in 18 appearances in Full-A this season. Mosqueda has 54 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings and is showing loads of potential in his first year at this level.