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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 Niko Kavadas
CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 08: Niko Kavadas #12 of the University of Notre Dame waits for a pitch during a game between Notre Dame and North Carolina at Boshamer Stadium on March 08, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

Red Sox High-A (Greenville)

Niko Kavadas is not human. The left-handed hitting first baseman is slashing .333/.490/.744 in High-A. On the year between Low-A and High-A, he has 20 doubles, one triple, and 24 home runs. He’s driven in 72 runs, scored 56 more, and stolen one base. Kavadas has drawn 74 walks which is a testament not only to his eye and patience, but to how terrified opposing pitchers are of him.

Tyler McDonough is having a phenomenal all-around season. The switch-hitting outfielder/second baseman is slashing .246/.330/.384 with 19 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs. He’s driven in 43 runs, scored 49 more, and stolen 17 bases.

Phillip Sikes was having a very good year in Low-A before his call-up. Now he’s having a great year in High-A. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .290/.366/.565 with three doubles, one triple, and four home runs in High-A. He’s driven in 11 runs, scored 10 more, and stolen three bases in just 17 games with Greenville so far.

Alex Erro has quietly been putting together a fantastic season in High-A. The switch-hitting catcher/outfielder/infielder has a .296/.369/.417 slash line with three doubles, two triples, and two home runs in 108 at-bats. He’s driven in 16 runs, scored 16 more, and stolen one base.

Big Joe Davis continues to be an absolute unit. The right-handed hitting first baseman is slashing .256/.310/.513 with two doubles and 16 home runs. He’s driven in 32 runs and scored 30 more. BJD isn’t going to win any sort of speed competition, but you don’t need to move fast when you hit the ball 500 feet.

Nathan Hickey has found his swing in High-A and is back on-track for a really strong season. Between Low-A and High-A the left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .267/.417/.487 with 17 doubles and eight home runs. He’s driven in 45 runs and scored 36 more. Hickey has shown a great approach at the plate, walking 48 times compared to 54 strikeouts.

Matthew Lugo is close to having an all-around career-year. The right-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .267/.320/.477 with 19 doubles, nine triples (career-high), and 11 home runs (career-high). He’s driven in 50 runs (tied for a career-high), scored 50 runs, and stolen eight bases. He needs two doubles, and 11 more runs scored to tie his career-bests in those categories.

Nick Yorke has been frustrating to watch this year. The right-handed hitting second baseman keeps giving these glimpses that he’s going to breakout again, but it keeps not happening. He’s slashing .231/.298/.348 with six doubles, one triple, and six home runs this season. Yorke has driven in 29 runs, scored 33 more, and stolen five bases. It’s also important to remember he turned 20 at the start of the season.

Gilberto Jimenez is slashing .273/.317/.391 with 15 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. The switch-hitting outfielder has 26 runs driven in, 38 runs scored, and 15 steals. He’s had some issues with base running (doesn’t seem to get the best jumps sometimes), but that’s looked a lot better recently. This is big news because Jimenez has top-tier speed.

Antoni Flores is known more for his defense. But the right-handed hitting shortstop has shown flashes with his bat as well. Flores is slashing .218/.370/.264 with two doubles and one home run. He’s driven in nine runs and scored 15 more. Flores has shown off a good eye too, with 24 walks compared to 34 strikeouts.

Tyler Uberstine has been awesome since being promoted to High-A. The right-handed pitcher has a 3.20 ERA, .197 BAA, and 1.12 WHIP in four starts so far. Uberstine has picked up 24 strikeouts compared to eight walks over 19 2/3 innings. He has managed to look improved in nearly every facet of his game since being called-up.

Joey Stock has been really good in High-A and absolutely dominant on the year in total. Between Low-A and High-A, the right-handed pitcher has been one of the best pitchers in the Red Sox organization. He has a 2.32 ERA, .193 BAA, and 1.07 WHIP over 54 1/3 innings pitched. Stock has 65 strikeouts compared to 21 walks as well.

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