Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Bryan Mata makes his return

Red Sox Low-A (Salem)

Bryan Mata has made his triumphant return to baseball. Due to first the pandemic shutting down the 2020 MiLB season, then an injury that forced him to get Tommy John shutting down his 2021 season, Mata hasn’t pitched since 2019. The righty threw two innings in Salem this week though. He gave up one unearned run on no hits and two walks, striking out two. El Idolo is back, get excited.

Great week for Jacob Webb. The right-handed pitcher tossed four innings over two appearances. In that time he gave up zero earned runs on just three hits. He has a 2.28 ERA, .222 BAA, and 1.61 WHIP on the year. In 14 2/3 innings he’s walked 13 batters, but also has 22 strikeouts.

Angel Bastardo is only 19 and he looks phenomenal in Low-A. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.56 ERA, .226 BAA, and 1.26 WHIP over 31 2/3 innings this season. He’s struck out 36 batters compared to 14 walks. That’s not a crazy low number of walks, but for a 19-year-old in Low-A – you’ll 100% take those numbers.

Tyler Uberstine had his best outing of the year this week. The righty went five shutout innings, giving up just one hit and walking none while striking out four. He now has a 3.92 ERA, .236 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP in 29 1/3 innings this season. Uberstine has 30 strikeouts compared to just one walk.

Wikelman Gonzalez put up a strong effort this week. The right-hander gave up two runs on three hits over five innings. He now has a 3.82 ERA, .223 BAA, and 1.38 WHIP on the year. In 22 innings he’s walked 13 batters, which is a bit of an issue, but he has 26 strikeouts as well.

Joey Stock made two appearances this week, totaling three shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk, while striking out two. The righty now has a 2.81 ERA, .212 BAA, and 1.16 WHIP on the year. He’s struck out 20 batters compared to six walks over 17 2/3 innings pitched.

Marcelo Mayer now has 103 plate appearances on the year. Still not a monster sample size but we’re moving away from “small”. In that time, he’s racked up a ridiculous .326/.398/.506 slash line with 13 doubles and one home run. The left-handed hitter has driven in 17 runs and scored 12 more, stealing six bases in six attempts. Mayer is legit.

Nathan Hickey has been incredibly impressive this season. The right-handed hitting catcher has already proven that the offensive potential is a very real thing. He’s slashing .280/.452/.490 with nine doubles and four home runs. Hickey has driven in 27 runs and scored 22 more. That ridiculous OBP is thanks to his 32 walks, which is a smaller number than his 28 strikeouts.

Blaze Jordan continues his hot-streak. The right-handed hitter is now up to a .260/.317/.403 slash line with 15 doubles, one triple, and three home runs. He’s driven in 27 runs and scored 26 more, stealing one base. Jordan’s home run power hasn’t been highlighted much this year, but he’s driven the ball really well – as evident by his extra base hits racking up.

Eddinson Paulino holds a .245/.327/.427 slash line. The left-handed hitter has 14 doubles, six triples, and three home runs. He’s driven in 23 runs and scored 37 more, stealing seven bases. Paulino has looked great this season, especially for a 19-year-old spending his first time in Low-A. He draws some walks and has good pop with good speed. Electric player to watch.

Niko Kavadas is in the middle of a five-game hitting-streak. The left-handed hitter has smoked two home runs in that time. He’s seen a nice boost to his numbers and now is slashing .255/.417/.483 with 13 doubles, one triple, and six home runs. Kavadas has driven in 27 runs, scored 19 more, and stolen one base. His 35 walks show just how patient he is and how even sometimes his outs are from phenomenal at-bats.

Phillip Sikes has been hot lately. He entered the week hitting just .204 but is riding a five-game hitting-streak that features three doubles and two triples. The right-handed hitter is now slashing .239/.379/.460 with 10 doubles, three triples, and three home runs. He’s driven in 16 runs and scored 26 more, stealing eight bases.