Red Sox Prospects: Is catcher the most intriguing position for Boston?

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Aug 1, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of the mound prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher is the most intriguing position to watch in the Red Sox minors

The Boston Red Sox have a lot of intriguing prospects and a few positions that desperately need help in the Majors. There are questions at first base, second base, in the outfield, at all over the pitching mound. Luckily for them, they have solid prospects at all those positions.

Then there is catcher. The Red Sox have Christian Vazquez, so they aren’t really in desperate need of anything there. Meanwhile, they only have one catcher in their top-30 prospects. That’s Connor Wong, who is currently ranked at number 18 in their system. He is also listed as a second baseman/third baseman and might not even see the Majors as a catcher (although it’s likely he does).

The team may not have as strong of a developmental system as they once did but in regards to catchers, they’ve got quite a few that could make waves with the team down the road. Whether they become good enough to make the Red Sox roster or be seen as desirable trade pieces, these are the five that could be playing at Fenway Park before we know it.

So what about the catcher position makes it possibly the most interesting thing to watch in the Boston minor leagues in 2021? A lot, actually. But before we get into the thick of things as far as the farm system is concerned, we’ve gotta take a look at Boston’s incumbent backstop. Everything begins and ends with Vazquez right now but the sand is falling through the hourglass on his time in Boston so the team needs to start looking toward the future.

Mar 30, 2018; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (20) congratulates catcher Christian Vazquez (7) as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Christian Vazquez’s future with the Red Sox

Let’s talk about Vazquez. He has been phenomenal for Boston and has given them a ton of production offensively over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, his defense is fantastic and it is not recommended to try and run on him. So he brings a lot to the table.

That being said, Vazquez has had his name swirling around in a lot of rumors lately. At the same time, even if he isn’t traded this year, it is the last season of his contract. There is a club option for 2022 that the Red Sox would be wise to pick up, but the clock is ticking on his current deal, and at 30 (31 in August) maybe Boston wants to move in a different direction.

Obviously, that frees up the position in the Majors, making the minor league talent much more intriguing to look at. This is especially true considering the fact that Vazquez could be gone at any moment.

As mentioned before though, Wong is the only catcher in the Red Sox top-30 prospects. That might leave you wondering, why is this an interesting position to watch? Even if Vazquez is out the door, it’s a one-man race with Wong right?

Well, yes and no. Wong is certainly in the lead and has the potential to be a very productive catcher for a long time, but the Red Sox actually have a few players at the position that could make major waves.

Let’s go through the options, ranking them based on how close they are to making an impact in the Majors.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 29: A bullpen is constructed in the concourse in advance of a training period before the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season on June 29, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox prospect #5: Charlie Madden

Charlie Madden is actually one of the closer players to the Majors on this list in terms of where they have played. In 2019 Madden spent 24 games in Double-A. However, he likely isn’t really on the Red Sox radar.

He’s definitely an intriguing player, and still just 25. That being said, the right-handed hitter doesn’t have much of a presence at the plate (career slash line of .220/.291/.344).

Madden’s defense is pretty good and he does have some potential when it comes to power. But he is the second-oldest player on this list and only has 24 games in Double-A so far.

That makes me feel like Boston is not all that interested in him. Nice depth but likely just an emergency option that the Red Sox use unless something drastic happens. He needs more time in the Minors right now.

That being said, there have been flashes from him. And if Charlie Madden decides to have a breakout year in 2021 he could fly up the boards.

Feb 25, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox catches Roldani Baldwin (91) stands in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox prospect #4: Roldani Baldwin

Roldani Baldwin has not played in Double-A yet. However, he has spent time in Advanced-A and is a very intriguing prospect.

Baldwin is strong defensively with a great arm. The right-handed hitter is also working with a career .268/.323/.412 slash line in the Minors. Nothing absolutely incredible but really solid and much improved from Madden’s numbers.

Baldwin probably won’t be a star offensive player, but the 24-year-old is making strides there and could be a nice contributor. Meanwhile, he brings a little something to the table everywhere. There is potential offensively and defense that could make him an asset even if he is struggling at the plate.

Baldwin could start the year in a prominent role in the Minors. Where Madden will be fighting for playing time, Baldwin could be getting a ton of ABs. This could push him up the list as he gets a chance to shine.

Still though, definitely not the first option for the Red Sox.

Greenville Drive’s Kole Cottam (39) is safe at first base after a pickoff attempt from West Virginia Power during the game at Flour Field Thursday, April 4, 2019.Ss Drive 04 04 2019 1603 /

Red Sox prospect #3: Kole Cottam

Okay, so far this list might be confusing to you because we are going backward. Madden played in Double-A, Baldwin had not. Kole Cottam has played in Advanced-A but not nearly as much as Baldwin.

So how is the 23-year-old Cottam “closer” to contributing in the Majors than those two? Easy, that offense.

Cottam is a legitimate offensive threat. He has plenty of power and could be a phenomenal run producer. In 2019, Cottam appeared in 87 games (76 in Full-A and 11 in Advanced-A). In that time he hit 25 doubles and eight home runs and drove in 44 runs. That’s a really strong season.

The right-handed hitter has a career .249/.340/.414 slash line. He gets on base at a good clip and has legitimate 25-home run potential. Meanwhile, he has improved drastically on defense. He is looking good behind the plate, has a good arm, and is calling games better. That gives him a nice well-rounded game to go with great offense.

Cottam could fly up the Majors and is likely already someone the Red Sox are considering for the future of the position.

PORTLAND, ME – MAY 13: Austin Rei #28 of the Portland Sea Dogs watches a play in a game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field on May 13, 2018 in Portland, Maine. (Photo by Zachary Roy/Getty Images) /

Red Sox prospect #2: Austin Rei

Austin Rei has had a tough time in the Minors. Injuries have really slowed down his development. Due to that, the 27-year-old has never played past Double-A.

That being said, he is a very good player that has potential offensively and is a very good defensive player. He also has the most experience at the highest level of the group (Double-A) having played over 100 games there.

Rei is a career .217 hitter, that’s not very good. However, the right-handed hitter has a .328 OBP showing that he can find a way to get on-base at a good clip even if he isn’t hitting the ball well.

There is also some power there. a .337 slugging percentage might not show it, but that’s working with that .217 average. In 2017 he managed 30 doubles and three home runs in just 95 games in Full-A. Then in 2018 in 83 games at Double-A he roped 17 doubles to go along with career-highs in triples (2) and home runs (7).

Rei could potentially become a very good offensive catcher. Nothing spectacular but he will work counts and get on-base and could manage a high number of doubles as well as 15-plus home runs.

Meanwhile, his defense is superb. Injuries have hurt him in this category as well, however, that is more obvious on offense. Even with the issues due to injury, he is a good game-caller and pretty reliable behind the plate. He has a very good arm and can be fantastic at blocking balls.

Boston has kept him around despite the injuries and setbacks for a reason. There is a lot to love about his game and Rei could become a serious contributor for the Red Sox sooner, rather than later.

FT. MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Connor Wong of the Boston Red Sox walks to the cage during a team workout on February 16, 2020 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox prospect #1: Connor Wong

This was obvious. Connor Wong has yet to play for the Red Sox organization (well in regular season play, he got to play in Spring Training. He was traded to them before the 2020 season and we all know what happened there.

That being said, he is clearly the favorite. Wong is very exciting. He sort of has the Blake Swihart feel to him. I’m not comparing him to the Swihart that never really found his footing in the Majors, but the prospect that everyone thought was going to be incredible.