Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: 2021 MiLB season finally here

Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs)

The Portland Sea Dogs are loaded with talent. Right at the top is Triston Casas. Casas is 3-for-18 (.167) with two walks, two RBI, and three runs scored. The 21-year-old has never played at this level before. In fact, he only had seven at-bats in Advanced-A before the year. So this is a big step up. Don’t be surprised that the left-handed hitter is taking some time to get his footing. He’ll be fine.

Ronaldo Hernandez is in his first year with the Red Sox organization and the catching prospect is already high on their list. Currently the 23-year-old is 3-for-14 (.214) with a walk and two runs scored. A good defensive catcher with a strong bat, it should be fun to watch him this year.

Jeisson Rosario is also new to the system (sort of). Rosario was traded to the team last year, so this is his first season playing in their minors. He’s making a fantastic first impression. The 21-year-old outfielder is 6-for-16 (.375) with five walks (leading to a .524 OBP). He has two doubles, four RBI, four runs scored, and one steal.

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Let’s keep the new name train rolling with Johan Mieses. Mieses is new to the system but has averaged just over 23 home runs over the last four years. It appears the 25-year-old outfielder is ready to raise that number. The right-handed hitter is slashing .313/.450/1.063 right now, and yes you saw that slugging percentage right. That’s because he has four home runs in his first 16 at-bats. Mieses has four walks, six RBI, and six runs scored, on the year. Insanity.

Ryan Fitzgerald is off to a solid start while playing in Double-A for the first time in his career. He’s played shortstop, third base, and second base already this year. Meanwhile, the left-handed batter has a .278 average (5-for-18) with three doubles and four RBI. He’s also walked once and scored two runs.

Not long ago Durbin Feltman was the closer of the immediate future for the Red Sox. He hasn’t climbed the MiLB ladder as quickly as many expected but things are moving along. The righty looks great so far this year, with just one earned run allowed in three innings, striking out seven.

Kutter Crawford had his first outing since he had Tommy John surgery and was fantastic. Always a solid but underrated prospect, Crawford looks ready to take the next step. The 25-year-old righty went four shutout innings, striking out five.

Denyi Reyes already has two appearances this year, working out of the bullpen. The lefty has a 3.60 ERA over five innings of work, striking out six while walking none.

Frank German is in his first year with the Red Sox organization. The 23-year-old has only thrown 2/3 of an inning so far, giving up five runs (only one earned). So it’s way too early to judge him, but expect good things from the right-hander.

Joan Martinez is having a walk problem right now. He has a BAA of .111, but an ERA of 7.71. That’s mainly because he has walked five batters in 2 1/3 innings (allowing only one hit). The righty also has five strikeouts though and absolutely nasty pitches.

Josh Winckowski has been in the minors since 2016 but this is his first year with the Red Sox. Now hearing that he’s been in the minors since 2016 you’re probably thinking the righty is a little older, but he’s only 22. Oh and he’s had sub-3.00 ERAs in each of the last two seasons. In 2021 he has yet to allow an earned run in 3 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit while striking out four.

Dominic LoBrutto is good. The 24-year-old has been in the Red Sox minors since 2017 and has never had an ERA over 3.73 in a season. He has 0.00 right now, giving up just three hits in 4 1/3 innings. The lefty also has three strikeouts without giving up a walk yet.

Enmanuel De Jesus has four strikeouts and a .111 BAA in 2 1/3 innings so far. The righty has allowed just one run in that time and is looking to build off of a breakout season that he enjoyed in 2019.

Thaddeus Ward gave up three runs in four innings in his first start of the season. He’ll be fine though, don’t forget Ward posted a 2.14 ERA and .198 BAA in 2019.