Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)
How clutch is Marcus Wilson? His average dropped this week down to .228 but here’s what he did. First, he had a great leaping grab and doubled-off a base runner to end a one-run game. Then he hit a home run on Monday night in the bottom of the ninth to tie a game.
Wilson does it all, and his improving numbers are proof of that. His 25 doubles and 59 runs scored are both one away from tying career-highs. Meanwhile, his 54 RBI are already tied for a career-best. Then there are the 17 home runs that demolish his old career-mark of 10. What a great addition for the Red Sox.
Jarren Duran is up to .261 with 25 steals in Double-A. Overall on the year, Duran is hitting .315 with 24 doubles, five triples, and five home runs. He’s driven in 36 runs and scored 83 more, stealing a ridiculous 43 bases. Duran’s contact, speed, and defense make him an elite prospect – you can’t change my mind.
Dedgar Jimenez is seriously a closer now. There’s no point trying to fight it. Not only do the Sea Dogs seem to be committed to that role for him, but he’s really good at it. Jimenez has a save in each of his last six outings and is 7-for-7 in opportunities this year.
Baby Bartolo hasn’t allowed a run since becoming the full-time closer and is down to a 3.60 ERA. In his last seven appearances, he’s allowed just three hits and two walks over 9 1/3 shutout innings. He’s struck out 13 batters in that time. That’s the definition of dominance. I’ve always been high on him and believed he could be a great starter in the Majors. Now I’m all-in on Baby Bartolo being the future closer.
Bryan Mata has a 6.20 ERA after his most recent start. He went six innings and gave up four runs. The 20-year-old struck out seven batters though and gave up all four runs in the second inning, his other five innings were great. Mata deserves a long adjustment period seeing how he’s already in Double-A (after totally dominating every level before it) at just 20. No need to rush him or panic.
Eduard Bazardo hasn’t allowed an earned run since July 27. The reliever is down to a 3.46 ERA and now has 27 strikeouts over 26 innings. The right-hander has a 2.42 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 67 innings between Double-A and Advanced-A this year.
Denyi Reyes wasn’t great in his last start, leading to his ERA bumping up to 3.87. He’s still been great over the last few months and has really turned his season around. The right-hander looks a lot more like the dominant pitcher he was last year, where an average start like the one he had this week (four earned runs in five innings) looks miserable.