Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Big week for power hitters

Red Sox Full-A (Salem)

Wow. For a while I’ve been talking about Nick Yorke’s average climbing steadily. This week it took a massive bump from .265 to .287. That pairs with a .376 OBP and a .389 slugging percentage by the way. And speaking of that slugging percentage, Yorke managed one double this week (he now has nine) and surprise surprise, a home run (he now has two). He also has a triple on the year. Yorke has driven in 19 runs, scored 27 more, and stolen nine bases.

Gilberto Jimenez is slashing .290/.320/.371 with eight doubles, two triples, and one home run. The outfielder has driven in a really solid 25 runs and scored 31 more, while stealing seven bases. Overall a really strong season, but what’s wild is it feels like he’s not playing his best baseball. The sky is the limit for Jimenez.

Joe Davis is slashing .335/.381/.571 on the year. Do you realize how ridiculous that is? The first baseman has 14 doubles and eight homers (he hit two of each this week). Meanwhile, he has 40 RBI and 27 runs scored. Davis is a monster at the plate and could have a promotion in his future.

Jaxx Groshans is down to a .298/.417/.454 slash line. Obviously, still fantastic. The catcher has seven doubles and five homers on the year and has driven in 21 runs while scoring 26 more. He’s even managed to steal a base. The 31 walks compared to 35 strikeouts is one of the more impressive numbers to look at.

Matthew Lugo joined the home run party this week. He is now slashing .237/.279/.299 with four doubles, one triple, and two home runs. That’s a boost from the week before. The shortstop has driven in 16 runs, scored 24 more, and stolen 10 bases. Overall, a solid season – and he’s been improving in the later weeks.

Nicholas Northcut holds a .217/.328/.422 slash line at the moment. It hasn’t been the best season for him, but he could be turning it around. In fact, he went 7-for-19 with four walks this week. Oh, and he added three home runs. The outfielder now has 13 doubles, one triple, and six homers on the year. He’s driven in 31 runs and scored 26 more. Honestly, the numbers are solid outside of the average, and that’s climbing.

Ceddanne Rafaela only appeared in one game this week and went 0-for-4, dropping his average to .219. The 20-year-old is in a slump right now but it doesn’t worry me. For one thing, he’s just 20. Another is he brings so much to the table you shouldn’t get hung up on one aspect. For example, Rafaela has a solid 24 runs scored and is an incredible 13-for-13 on stolen base attempts.

Jeremy Wu-Yelland’s ERA rose to 3.97 on the year. With it his WHIP and BAA also went up. The left-handers WHIP is now 1.32 and his BAA is .185. That’s insane that his BAA went up and it’s still at a minuscule .185. Wu-Yelland has struck out 41 batters in 34 innings and has only allowed one home run. The 22 walks is a bit of an issue but this being his first year in the minors, there’s no real concern.

Casey Cobb has thrown 29 1/3 innings so far this year. The right-hander has a 0.92 ERA in that time. Cobb isn’t just getting lucky though, he also has a 0.85 WHIP and a .184 BAA. He’s struck out 33 batters compared to six walks and has yet to allow a home run.

Cody Scroggins is working with a 1.33 ERA over 27 innings pitched at the moment. Also a righty, Scroggins has a 1.26 WHIP and a .224 BAA. He has 30 strikeouts on the year and already has three wins and six saves.

Brandon Walter has done it all so far this season. The left-handed pitcher has a 1.45 ERA in 31 innings. He has a 0.87 WHIP and a .178 BAA. Walter has 46 strikeouts compared to just six walks in 31 innings, and has yet to allow a home run. The 24-year-old has picked up one win and two saves in that time.