Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch: Unexpected big performances

Red Sox Low-A (Salem)

Brainer Bonaci had a very unexpected game this week. All year I’ve talked about how good he has been despite the lack of power. He was getting on-base, stealing bases, and playing great defense. All while hitting literally zero home runs in over 250 at-bats. Then came this week.

Bonaci suddenly was hitting doubles and triples. Oh, and he had a two homer game. The right-handed hitting shortstop now has a .265/.395/.378 slash line with 17 doubles, five triples, and two home runs. He’s driven in 36 runs, scored 59 more, and stolen 18 bases. Bonaci also has an impressive 64 walks compared to 68 strikeouts.

Marcelo Mayer is slashing .281/.386/.494 with 24 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs. The left-handed hitting shortstop has dealt with a couple issues this season, and he’s still just 19. Despite that Mayer has rarely looked overmatched and is always able to adjust. He’s driven in 37 runs, scored 40 more, and is a perfect 14-for-14 on stolen base attempts.

Blaze Jordan is also just 19. You’d never be able to tell though. He always looks so calm in RBI situations. The right-handed hitting third baseman is slashing .288/.357/.450 with 26 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs. He’s driven in 51 runs, scored 47 more, and stolen four bases. It’s hard not to be impressed with what Jordan’s done this season. Especially considering how he struggled to start the year.

Eddinson Paulino is way too much fun to watch. The left-handed hitting utility-man holds a .250/.37/.443 slash line with 24 doubles, 10 triples, and eight home runs. Not only are all of those career-highs, but let me say that again – TEN triples. Paulino has driven in 44 runs, scored 65 more, and stolen 20 bases. Again, all career-highs. Legitimate 20/20 type potential.

Luis De La Rosa has been extremely impressive so far. The 20-year-old righty has a 1.91 ERA, .162 BAA, and 0.99 WHIP between Rookie Ball and Low-A this year. He has 35 strikeouts compared to 12 walks in 28 1/3 innings pitched so far. De La Rosa has looked great in Low-A and is a piece from the Andrew Benintendi trade – so keep an eye on him.

Hunter Dobbins continues to hold it down for us Hunters everywhere. The right-handed pitcher has a 3.02 ERA, .259 BAA, and 1.22 WHIP on the season. In 41 2/3 innings in Low-A so far, he has 44 strikeouts compared to just 10 walks. Dobbins has looked extremely mature for his first taste of the minor leagues.

Graham Hoffman was struggling a bit this season. That is, before the calendar turned to July. In the month, Hoffman allowed just one run on four hits over nine innings of work. The righty now has a 3.55 ERA, .224 BAA, and 1.34 WHIP over 25 1/3 innings pitched this season. He’s walked 12 batters compared to 27 strikeouts.

Luis Guerrero gave up two runs in two innings on July 1. Since then, he’s allowed no earned runs over 10 innings in the rest of the month. The right-handed pitcher now has a 3.05 ERA, .151 BAA, and 1.16 WHIP in 20 2/3 innings this season. He’s struck out 29 batters compared to 13 walks. That .151 BAA definitely deserves some attention, because that’s stupid low.