Full-A (Greenville Drive)
Tyler Esplin is back to being scorching-hot. The 20-year-old right fielder five-game hitting streak. In that time, he’s had four multi-hit games and a home run. He’s up to a .250 average with 25 doubles, three triples, and four home runs. The left-handed hitter has 37 RBI, 48 runs scored and six steals. I’m all-in on Esplin.
Triston Casas is at a .247 average but has 17 home runs on the year. The 19-year-old has 21 doubles and five triples as well and has a fantastic 72 RBI and 58 runs scored as well. Casas will be a star and is one of the few players the Red Sox should consider untouchable.
Kole Cottam is slashing .258/.382/.413 with 21 doubles and six home runs. The catcher’s driven in 34 runs and scored 42 more. Cottam is one of the more intriguing prospects on the team because he’s their most offensively talented catcher.
Everlouis Lozada is hitting .244 with 11 doubles, one triple, and six home runs. The second baseman is prone to massive games and it’s encouraging for his potential. At just 20, Lozada has all the time to grow and should turn into one of the most exciting prospects in the Red Sox system.
Brandon Howlett is hitting .237 with six homers but also has 23 doubles on the year. The third baseman has 30 RBI and 41 runs scored and is still just 19. With all the talent the Red Sox have at the position, there’s no reason to rush his development.
Chase Shugart has a 2.40 ERA after an immaculate start. The 22-year-old righty went eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits and walking one. To go along with his ERA, Shugart has a 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings. Shugart might just be in Full-A but he’s a pitcher that could rocket up the minor league levels at a pretty fast rate.
Yoan Aybar is down to a 4.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. The left-handed pitcher has a .169 BAA and has only allowed one home run so far. Through 47 2/3 innings, he’s struck out 65 batters. The 22-year-old has grown a lot this year and is really trending in the right direction.
Alex Scherff has a 5.14 ERA, .293 BAA, and 1.61 WHIP. It’s not all negative for the 21-year-old though. The righty is suffering from some really miserable outings this year but can put together great stretches. In his last start he gave up just one earned run over four innings, striking out seven. He definitely has great potential.
Brayan Bello is down to a 6.11 ERA and continues to show crazy strikeout potential. He currently has 104 in 95 2/3 innings. That may not seem great but he’s gone on tears and will put up big K numbers in individual games. His last start saw the 20-year-old strikeout 10 batters while walking none in five innings.