Advanced-A (Salem Red Sox)
Pedro Castellanos is enjoying a really hot stretch. In his last two games, he’s got four hits – one being a homer – and five RBI. He’s up to a .277 average with 22 doubles (one of his career-high), one triple and a career-best seven home runs. The 21-year-old has set new marks in RBI (67), runs scored (56) and steals (10). He was a top prospect for the Red Sox before the year and is only making a stronger case this year.
Victor Acosta is slashing .295/.372/.372. He doesn’t hit for much power (17 doubles, one triple, and one home run) but he does produce runs at a solid rate. The outfielder has 42 RBI with 36 runs scored and gets on base at a solid clip.
Devlin Granberg got the promotion he’s deserved for a while now. The first baseman is hitting .294 with one double and two runs driven in over five games so far. He was an extremely professional hitter in Full-A and it will be interesting to see how he does in Salem.
Ryan Fitzgerald is at a .283 average and has 21 doubles, six triples, and two home runs now. The shortstop’s driven in an impressive 58 runs and scored 54 more, stealing 10 bases to boot.
Logan Browning is now through 4 1/3 innings in Advanced-A and is still rocking a 0.00 ERA and even has a save. The left-handed pitcher has a .353 BAA and 1.85 WHIP but has proven he can drop those quickly. His father, Tom Browning, was a pitcher in the Majors (mostly for the Cincinnati Reds). Maybe the Red Sox have struck some legacy gold with Browning just like the Toronto Blue Jays have with their young core.
Thad Ward has a 2.28 ERA over 43 1/3 Advanced-A innings. The 22-year-old has 55 strikeouts in that time and has been dominant all year no matter the level. Between two leagues, Ward has a 2.10 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings.
Joan Martinez has a 3.29 ERA after two fantastic relief outings this week. He combined for five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four. The 22-year-old even has a save in that time.
Dominic LoBrutto has a 2.30 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Salem. He has a 1.02 WHIP and has only walked four people without allowing a homer in that time. The left-handed pitcher is showing a lot of promise this year.