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Boston Red Sox top-30 prospect rankings after the 2019 season

By Hunter Noll

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series Championship banner hangs outside Fenway Park on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series Championship banner hangs outside Fenway Park on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE:SATURATION WAS REMOVED FROM THIS IMAGE) Josh Ockimey #85 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE:SATURATION WAS REMOVED FROM THIS IMAGE) Josh Ockimey #85 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

27. Josh Ockimey (First Baseman)

2019 was an odd year for Josh Ockimey. At one point, the first baseman was one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system according to MLB. Now they don’t even have him in their top-30.

The main reason for that was probably his struggles at the plate. The left-handed hitter posted a .204 average in 2019 (spent the entire year in Triple-A).

At various times in the season, he went on pretty long hitless streaks. That being said, he also got hot at times.

Oh, and while that average wasn’t good, it also wasn’t all bad. Ockimey walked 82 times (.353 OBP). He also still drove in 57 runs and scored 64 more despite the poor average. He also smacked 17 doubles and two triples, as well as a career-high 25 home runs.

The home runs were particularly encouraging. 2018 set his high to 20 and that was with him playing a heavy majority of the year in Double-A.

Now that he’s spent a full season in Triple-A, it will be interesting to see how Ockimey progresses in 2020. The home runs should continue to be there, but the hope should be that he can get that average up a pretty decent chunk.

Either way, he’s pretty close to the Majors. The 24-year-old (turned 24 on October 18) could be a good contributor in Boston.

Yes, the average is a little worrisome. However, he’s not bad at first base and has legitimate power. Protected by a really good MLB lineup as compared to being the main power bat in a Triple-A lineup could make a big difference as well.

Suddenly Ockimey might get a few more pitches to see and raise that average a little bit. Meanwhile, 30-plus homers in a season is definitely a possibility.

For now though, Ockimey’s going to have to prove he can hit for a better average. Still, the power is very real and very exciting.

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