Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Hot Streaks and Call-ups

Red Sox High-A (Greenville)

Last week I mentioned that Nick Yorke needed a new challenge and that Low-A was just too easy for him. Of course, he was called up that day. I can’t tell if that made me look really smart or really stupid. Either way, Yorke’s already dominating in High-A. After slashing .323/.413/.500 in Low-A, he’s slashing .435/.458/.826 in High-A. In five games Yorke has three doubles, two homers, seven RBI, and eight runs scored. He’s 19.

Elih Marrero is slashing .319/.413/.440 with 14 doubles and one home run. The catcher has driven in 19 runs and scored 29 more in just 141 at-bats. Marrero’s most impressive stat is his 13 steals. That would be great for anyone in such a short amount of time, let alone a catcher. Marrero’s been on-fire lately (20-for-39 in August), and has seen his stock sky-rocket because of it.

Stephen Scott continues to rake in High-A. The outfielder is now slashing .376/.477/.688 in 26 games. In 87 games between Low-A and High-A, Scott has 26 doubles, one triple, and 14 home runs. He has driven in 66 runs and scored 68 more, stealing three bases. Scott’s incredible performance at the higher level this year has definitely risen some eyebrows.

Tyler Dearden is now on a four-game hitting-streak that has helped raise his slash line up to .259/.377/.425 with 18 doubles and 17 home runs. The outfielder has five RBI in his last three games, and now has 66 on the year, to go along with 58 runs scored. He’s also stolen one base. Dearden now has career-highs double, homers, steals, RBI, and runs scored.

Joe Davis slumped for a little bit, but the big first baseman seems to have broken out of it. He’s combined to go 3-for-5 with two walks and a home run in his last two games. Davis is now slashing .310/.354/.544 between Low-A and High-A this year. He’s ripped 20 doubles and 18 home runs. Meanwhile, the right-handed hitter has 71 runs driven in and 50 more runs scored.

Christian Koss is currently rocking a 14-game hitting-streak. The shortstop has seen his average sky-rocket from .264 to .279 (.336 OBP and .453 slugging percentage) in that time. Koss has 16 doubles, six triples, and 11 home runs. He has driven in 45 runs, scored 57 more, and stolen nine bases.

Brandon Howlett continues his big power year. The third baseman is slashing .246/.342/.453 with 16 doubles, three triples, and 14 home runs. His home runs are a new career-high (previous high was eight). Meanwhile, he has new career-bests in runs scored (53) and runs batted in (50). Even his two steals is a new mark.

Nick Sogard is quietly having one of the more productive seasons in the Red Sox minor league system. The infielder is slashing .280/.347/.455 between High-A and Double-A. Sogard has 11 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs. He has driven in 38 runs and scored 49 more, while stealing eight bases.

Jaxx Groshans is slashing .277/.371/.442 between Low-A and High-A this year. The catcher has shown a lot of offensive potential this year, and some good run production skills. He has 11 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs so far. Meanwhile, Groshans has driven in 33 runs and scored 34 more – even stealing one base.

Casey Cobb has not flinched since getting called up to High-A. The pitcher went from dominating in Low-A to being untouchable at the next level. Cobb has now thrown seven innings for Greenville. In that time, he has allowed zero runs on five hits and one walk – striking out seven. Overall Cobb has a 1.93 ERA, .199 BAA, 0.94 WHIP and 65 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings this season.

Jay Groome didn’t have his best week. But he did bounce back from a terrible start with a pretty solid one. After giving up seven earned runs in five innings, the lefty allowed just three in six his next time out – striking out eight. Groome now has a 5.29 ERA, .244 BAA, and 1.32 WHIP on the year. He has 108 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings pitched.

Zach Bryant continues to improve his numbers at a steady pace. The right-handed pitcher has now thrown 40 2/3 innings this season. He has a 3.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and .170 BAA. Talk about untouchable. Bryant has struck out 57 batters, going 2-3 with one hold and four saves in five opportunities.

Jose Espada has had a phenomenal August. In 10 1/3 innings, the right-handed pitcher has a 0.87 ERA, .061 BAA, and 0.58 WHIP. The overall numbers aren’t much worse. Espada has a 2.32 ERA, .171 BAA, and 1.06 WHIP. He’s struck out 38 batters in 31 innings and currently holds a 2-0 record.

Dylan Spacke had another great outing. The righty went three innings, giving up no runs on two hits and two walks – striking out a career-high six batters. Spacke now has a 2.50 ERA, .227 BAA, and 1.16 WHIP. In 57 2/3 innings he has 74 strikeouts compared to 19 walks.

Jacob Wallace has a 6.33 ERA on the season. However, he’s been absolutely phenomenal in August. The right-handed pitcher has thrown 12 innings this month, striking out an impressive 21 batters. In that time he has a 3.00 ERA, .146 BAA, and 0.92 WHIP. He’s also picked up two more saves this month, and now has four on the year.