Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: We’re going streaking (hot and cold)

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Christian Koss, David Hamilton, Christin Stewart, and Ryan Fitzgerald of the Boston Red Sox walks across the field during spring training team workouts at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 20, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Christian Koss, David Hamilton, Christin Stewart, and Ryan Fitzgerald of the Boston Red Sox walks across the field during spring training team workouts at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 20, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 11: Jarren Duran #40 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on a hit against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Fenway Park on August 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)

Jarren Duran’s first impression in the Majors wasn’t the best but he looks more than ready to give it another run now. And there’s really no reason for the Red Sox to not try him out. Duran doesn’t seem nearly as focused on hitting homers and man is it working. The left-handed hitter is slashing .360/.458/.560 with three doubles, two triples, and one home run in Triple-A this year. He’s driven in six runs and scored 12 more, going 7-for-8 in stolen base attempts.

Triston Casas is another top prospect that deserves at least a thought when it comes to call-ups. The left-handed hitter got off to a slow start but he’s up to a .262/.388/.500 slash line. Casas has five doubles and five home runs, to go along with an impressive 16 RBI and 18 runs scored.

Jeter Downs had an absolutely miserable 2021 and it caused a lot of people to write him off. However, the 23-year-old is shaking off a lot of those negative perceptions early on. The right-handed hitter isn’t doing anything crazy, but a .241/.344/.482 slash line is a major improvement. He’s already racked up three doubles, one triple, and five home runs. Meanwhile, he’s driven in eight runs and scored a fantastic 19 more, stealing three bases.

Ryan Fitzgerald is another name that should be considered to help out the Red Sox. The left-handed hitter holds a .303/.365/.671 slash line with six doubles, two triples, and six home runs so far. He’s driven in 19 runs and scored 13 more in just 21 games. Fitz plays great defense at multiple positions and is a good left-handed bat. It makes too much sense for Boston to consider him.

Nick Sogard is having a strong showing in Triple-A after starting the year in Double-A. Combined between the two leagues he’s slashing .286/.375/.333 with two doubles. The switch-hitter has two RBI and 10 runs scored, as well as one steal. Sogard appeared in only 18 games in Double-A last year. So the fact that the middle infielder doesn’t look overmatched at all in Triple-A right now is extremely impressive.

Ronaldo Hernandez has struggled so far. A .132/.132/.245 slash line isn’t encouraging for the catcher. He does have three doubles, one home run, seven RBI, and five runs scored – that’s not miserable. But he’s also struck out 16 times and has yet to draw a walk. The right-handed hitter is currently on a three-game hitting streak and blasted his first Triple-A homer in his last game. So maybe things are starting to turn around a bit.

Connor Seabold is pitching himself to the Majors right now. The second Boston needs to pull someone from the minor leagues, it’s hard to see them picking someone other than the right-handed pitcher. Seabold currently holds a 2-0 record in four starts. He’s done that thanks to a 1.74 ERA, .200 BAA, and 0.97 WHIP. In 20 2/3 innings, the 26-year-old has 15 strikeouts compared to five strikeouts and has given up just one home run.

Zack Kelly tossed two scoreless innings this week, giving up just one hit and striking out one. In 7 2/3 innings this year, the righty has walked seven batters – which is a slight problem. He’s struck out eight though and boasts a 2.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and .120 BAA.

Josh Winckowski didn’t have his best start of the year this week. The right-handed pitcher still has fantastic overall numbers though. In 12 2/3 innings, Winckowski has nine strikeouts. He holds a 3.55 ERA, .208 BAA, and 1.11 WHIP in three starts.

Schedule