Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Who is stepping up?

Red Sox Low-A (Salem)

Nathan Hickey is trying to prove he’s one of the top catching prospects. That bat is deadly. The left-handed hitter is slashing .271/.452/.482 with six doubles and four home runs. He’s driven in 20 runs and scored 18 more. Most impressively, Hickey has 28 walks compared to 24 strikeouts.

Niko Kavadas is slashing .244/.423/.449 with 12 doubles, one triple, and four home runs. The left-handed hitter has driven in 22 runs and scored 17 more, stealing one base. Kavadas has plenty of power and incredible patience at the plate. He’s struck out 49 times but has 34 walks as well.

Blaze Jordan is slashing .250/.295/.384 with 13 doubles and three home runs. The right-handed hitter has driven in 22 runs, scored 24 more, and stolen one base. Jordan has really looked great the last month. And that power is starting to show up too, with the doubles coming in bunches. Wait until those home runs really start up too.

Eddinson Paulino continues to have that strange year. His .243/.323/.416 slash line seems a little unassuming. However, the left-handed hitter has done a lot. He’s hit 14 doubles, five triples, and two home runs. The run production is there too, with 19 RBI and 32 runs scored – going along with four steals. He plays a lot of positions, which gives the team plenty of flexibility.

Brainer Bonaci is currently rocking a six-game hitting-streak. The switch-hitter is now slashing .268/.391/.325 with three doubles and two triples. He’s driven in 14 runs and scored 24 more, stealing five bases. Bonaci has had no power, but the 25 walks compared to 29 strikeouts has been encouraging.

Tyler Miller is really starting to flash the home run power. The left-handed hitter is now slashing .223/.306/.417 with four doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. He’s driven in 20 runs, scored 21 more, and stolen three bases. Miller’s hit four home runs since May 21, and his average has sky-rocketed at the same time.

Maceo Campbell has been lights-out. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.21 ERA, .176 BAA, and 1.33 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings pitched. He’s had a little bit of an issue with walks (14), but the 23 strikeouts he’s racked up have kept him out of trouble.

Jacob Webb holds a 2.75 ERA, .220 BAA, and 1.73 WHIP in 19 2/3 innings pitched. The right-handed pitcher is really struggling with walks (17). However his absolutely absurd 35 strikeouts are the real story here.

Wikelman Gonzalez has a 3.86 ERA, .230 BAA, and 1.44 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings pitched. The right-handed pitcher has 42 strikeouts compared to 19 walks in that time. He’s had some ups-and-downs this season but it’s important to remember he’s just 20 and has absolutely exceeded expectations for someone his age with his experience.

Joey Stock is down to a 3.10 ERA this season. The right-handed pitcher also has a .220 BAA and 1.21 WHIP with a 1-1 record, one hold, and two saves. In 29 innings pitched, he’s struck out 35 batters compared to 11 walks.