Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Top prospects headline big week

Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)

Danny Santana has joined Boston and provided a spark. He’s already hit two home runs and stolen one base. Now Franchy Cordero has shown signs of life by hitting a ridiculously monstrous home run on Sunday. Maybe they are starting to feel the pressure because Jarren Duran is playing his heart out in Worcester.

This time last year I would’ve told you Duran could steal 70 bases in a season and maybe throw in 10-15 homers. Now I’m doubting that 70 steal potential. It has nothing to do with his speed though, it’s just hard to steal 70 bases when you hit 30-plus home runs. He legitimately has that much power now. Duran is hitting .278 (.366 OBP) and does have a solid four steals right now. The big thing is the lefty has four doubles and seven home runs. That’s already a career-high. He’s driven in 12 runs and scored 14 more. Duran’s a superstar.

Jeter Downs has brought the average up quickly. Last week he was at .220 with one home run. Now he’s at .270 with three home runs. Downs has driven in seven runs and scored eight more. Meanwhile, he’s stolen seven bases in eight attempts. A six-game hitting streak has brought Downs right back to elite status.

Marcus Wilson is down to .241 but still has two doubles, two triples, and three home runs. The right-handed hitter has seven RBI and nine runs scored, while stealing three bases in three attempts. Most importantly, Wilson has fantastic defense. There’s no reason to believe he couldn’t be a star in the outfield with Duran very soon.

Eduard Bazardo did not pitch all week due to an injury. That’s a shame because he’s been fantastic every time he’s gotten a chance in the Majors (three shutout innings so far). Baz is a legit arm out of the bullpen and will be an answer for the Red Sox soon enough.

Kyle Hart had another incredible start this week. The lefty threw seven innings, giving up just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six. Over 16 2/3 innings this year Hart has a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a fantastic .169 BAA. He’s walked eight but also has 18 strikeouts. Hart might earn himself another shot in the Majors.

Definitely not a prospect but it needs to be mentioned that Brandon Workman is back with the Red Sox and has a 1.80 ERA (one run in five innings) with Worcester. He has struggled terribly since leaving the organization but maybe being back is just what he needed. Possibly the best reliever in baseball in 2019 may be returning to form.