Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Big performances mark breakouts
By Hunter Noll
Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)
Chris Murphy finally got the promotion to Triple-A that he deserved after putting up some ludicrous numbers in Double-A. The left-handed pitcher gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks (while striking out four), in six innings. And the only reason it was an elite Triple-A debut is that he went back out for the seventh inning, and that didn’t work out great. Murph proved he was ready for the next step.
Brayan Bello just won’t stop. He’s making fans scream themselves hoarse with “he’s gotta be coming up right?” every time the Red Sox need a pitcher. The righty was ridiculous in Double-A and in Triple-A he has a 2.81 ERA, .209 BAA, and 1.17 WHIP. He’s struck out 72 batters in 51 1/3 innings with Worcester and 114 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched total on the year.
Chase Shugart got the jump to Triple-A as well and on Sunday made his debut. The right-handed pitcher gave up one run on just one hit and no walks while striking out two batters over three innings. It’s been a great year for Shugart and now he’s proving it at the highest level in the minors.
Fantastic week from Eduard Bazardo. The right-handed pitcher gave up no runs on just one hit and no walks in five innings over two appearances. He struck out three batters and added a save in that time. Bazardo now has a 2.37 ERA, .277 BAA, 1.45 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts (compared to 11 walks) in 30 1/3 innings pitched.
Zack Kelly continues to be one of the most reliable options out of the bullpen for the Red Sox minor leagues over the last two years. The righty has a 3.38 ERA, .209 BAA, and 1.30 WHIP in 29 1/3 innings pitched. He’s struck out 40 batters compared to 15 walks and has only walked two since the beginning of June.
Pedro Castellanos was dominating for the last few months in Double-A. And somehow he’s even better in Triple-A. The right-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder is slashing .433/.471/.767 with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs in eight games with Worcester. Castellanos has already driven in nine runs and scored eight more.
Ronaldo Hernandez is getting better day by day. The right-handed hitting catcher is somehow suddenly slashing .290/.313/.465 with 17 doubles and seven home runs. He’s driven in 27 runs and scored 28 more. If you told me Hernandez was hitting .750 over the last two months I’d probably believe you.
The numbers still don’t look great, but Jeter Downs has been awesome since that one-game-stint in the Majors. Upon returning to Triple-A the right-handed-hitting shortstop is 10-for-31 (.323) with nine walks (only six strikeouts), three doubles, one homer, six RBI, 13 runs scored, and four steals. He’s now slashing .200/.330/.427 with nine doubles, one triple, and 13 home runs. Downs has driven in 27 runs, scored 48 more, and stolen 15 bases.
Devlin Granberg has been really solid since being promoted to Triple-A. In 14 games the right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .241/.323/.362 with two doubles, one triple, and one home run. He’s driven in eight runs, scored five more, and stolen two bases. The strikeouts have been up since the promotion, but Granberg is still getting used to the new level.