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Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Unexpected big performances

By Hunter Noll

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Bryan Mata #90 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning of a Grapefruit spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 27, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Bryan Mata #90 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning of a Grapefruit spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 27, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 16: Jhonkensy Noel #29 and Ceddanne Rafaela #1 of the American League walk to the dugout before the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Red Sox Double-A (Portland)

Ceddanne Rafaela had another one of those signature games this week. He went 4-for-4 with a homer and a steal, while making one of the more absurd plays you’ll see at shortstop in a while. The right-handed hitting utility-man is slashing .316/.359/.573 between High-A and Double-A this season. Your favorite prospect’s favorite prospect has seven triples to go along with career-highs in doubles (26) and home runs (17). Rafaela also has 65 runs scored and 22 steals, as well as a career-high 59 RBI. By the end of the year we could see new career-bests in all the stats I didn’t say that for.

Christian Koss has been on-fire lately. The right-handed hitting shortstop has four-straight multi-hit games. In that time he’s risen his average from .274 to .288 and thrown in some extra-base hits for good measure. Koss is slashing .288/.331/.462 with 15 doubles, four triples, and 12 home runs this season. He’s scored 50 runs to go along with career-highs in RBI (61) and steals (11).

Kole Cottam is getting a bit of that power swing going. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .270/.350/.381 with 15 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Those two triples came in the same game, which is something I wasn’t expecting to ever say about Cottam. He’s driven in 26 runs and scored 27 more. Playing great defense at catcher and first base.

David Hamilton is slashing .233/.317/.379 with nine doubles, seven triples, and eight home runs. The left-handed hitting second baseman has driven in 30 runs and scored 49 more. While some of those numbers aren’t the best, his ridiculous 49 steals help to give a view of why he could be so valuable. That’s once-in-a-generation speed.

Tyler Dearden is holding on to a six-game hitting-streak at the moment that’s really boosted his numbers. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .261/.366/.389 with 12 doubles, one triple, and five home runs on the year. He’s driven in 35 runs and scored 29 more. The power from last season hasn’t been replicated yet but he’s started to drive the ball more.

Hudson Potts is slashing .222/.293/.458 with 15 doubles and 11 home runs. The average isn’t great but the slugging percentage is actually a career-high for the right-handed hitting corner infielder. Potts has driven in 33 runs, scored 27 more, and stolen one base. The power is legit.

Stephen Scott continues his “I get better after being called-up” trope that he started last year. Scott is slashing .276/.416/.471 with five doubles and four home runs in Double-A (compared to .188/.305/.336 in High-A) this season. The catcher/utility-man has driven in 16 runs, scored 20 more, and stolen one base in 26 games with Portland so far.

Nick Northcut nukes have come to Portland. The right-handed hitting third baseman was called-up after slashing .223/.286/.530 with 13 doubles, 26 home runs, 58 RBI, and 43 runs scored in High-A. In four games in Double-A, Northcut is just 3-for-17 but he’s already smoked two home runs.

Alex Binelas has struggled a bit in Double-A, but the power is still there. And on the season the right-handed hitting third baseman is slashing .212/.326/.449 with 11 doubles, two triples, and 20 home runs. He’s driven in 60 runs, scored 53 more, and stolen eight bases in eight attempts.

Bryan Mata continues to look great on his road back from Tommy John. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.50 ERA, .180 BAA, and 1.22 WHIP between three levels this season. El Idolo has walked 21 batters in 36 innings, but has racked up 47 strikeouts as well.

Michael Gettys hasn’t gotten many opportunities in Double-A yet, but the former outfielder has made the most of them. The right-handed pitcher has yet to give up a run in 4 2/3 innings at the level. He’s allowed just three hits and two walks, and his numbers have been rapidly dropping all year long.

Rio Gomez sees his numbers improve constantly still. The left-handed reliever has a 5.40 ERA, .269 BAA, and 1.53 WHIP in 18 1/3 innings. Gomez has 22 strikeouts compared to 10 walks in that time. Overall it doesn’t look great, but it’s been a steady decline since his first few outings were so rough.

Brian Van Belle continues to be a really reliable arm since his call-up to Double-A. The right-handed starter has a 4.25 ERA, .256 BAA, and 1.06 WHIP over eight appearances at the level. Van Belle has 51 strikeouts compared to just four walks over 42 1/3 innings with Portland.

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