Boston Red Sox prospect watch: New challenges, same results

Red Sox High-A (Greenville)

Marcelo Mayer has finally made the jump to High-A after putting up a fantastic .286/.406/.504 slash line with 26 doubles, one triple, and nine home runs in Low-A. The left-handed hitting shortstop had 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, 16 steals, and 51 walks. He’s 4-for-24 with one home run, two RBI, three runs scored, and four walks. The numbers don’t look great but he’s hit the ball hard often.

Blaze Jordan also got a much-deserved promotion. The right-handed hitting corner infielder slashed .286/.357/.446 with 29 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs. He had 57 runs driven in, 48 runs scored, and four steals in Low-A. He’s 6-for-18 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored in High-A. Jordan continues to rake no matter the level.

Nick Yorke has struggled this year but he’s finally healthy and starting to turn it around. The right-handed second baseman is 11-for-33 with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI, and three walks since August 6. He’s slashing .237/.306/.376 with eight doubles, one triple, and nine home runs. Yorke’s driven in 38 runs, scored 39 more, and stolen five bases. He hasn’t made an error this season either.

Niko Kavadas is slashing .319/.483/.619 in High-A. Holding a near-.500 OBP in 35 games is wild. The left-handed hitting first baseman has 22 doubles, one triple, and 24 home runs between Low-A and High-A this year. He’s driven in 74 runs, scored 61 more, stolen one base, and drawn an incredible 84 walks.

Matthew Lugo deserves credit for such a great year. The right-handed hitting shortstop’s power improvement from last season is extremely impressive. He’s slashing .267/.322/.474 with 21 doubles (tied for a career-high), nine triples (career-high), and 13 home runs (career-high). Lugo’s also driven in 60 runs (career-high), scored 57 more, and stolen 12 bases. Despite playing at a higher level and having a slightly lower average than he did last season (.270), Lugo’s slugging percentage has jumped over .100 points (.364 to .474).

Nathan Hickey is having a strong first full season. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .261/.416/.482 with 17 doubles and nine home runs between Low-A and High-A. Hickey’s driven in 48 runs and scored 38 more this season. He’s also walked (53) nearly as many times as he’s struck out (57).

Gilberto Jimenez is slashing .268/.310/.380 with 17 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. The switch-hitting outfielder has driven in 29 runs, scored 41 more, and stolen 15 bases. The doubles and home runs are both career-highs. However, the other numbers (outside of steals) have dipped a bit. Jimenez has shown recently he can use his elite speed though. Hopefully that starts to translate a bit more.

Tyler McDonough is just 3-for-27 in August, which has hurt the slash line a bit. The switch-hitting second baseman/outfielder is slashing .236/.326/.365 with 19 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs. He’s driven in 44 runs, scored 53 more, and stolen 19 bases. The average seems low but McDonough brings a lot to the table offensively, and gives you nice defensive versatility.

Phillip Sikes’ great first full season continues. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .259/.370/.514 with 24 doubles, five triples, and 10 home runs between Low-A and High-A. He’s driven in 43 runs, scored 49 more, and stolen 15 bases. Sikes has a great glove in the outfield and a strong arm. He tends to hit the ball hard as well.

Max Ferguson is 7-for-27 since joining Greenville. The left-handed hitting utility-man has one double, two RBI, seven runs scored, and three steals in that time. He’s now up to some wildly impressive run production numbers on the year with 52 RBI, 84 runs scored, and 58 steals in 63 attempts. Ferguson has slumped a bit since joining the Red Sox organization. But that speed never slumps.

Corey Rosier is 3-for-19 with two doubles, one RBI, two runs scored, and five steals since joining Greenville. The left-handed hitting outfielder has 38 steals on the year. And even though he’s struggled a bit since joining the Red Sox, he’s shown glimpses of why he could be such an asset down the line.

Shane Drohan had the best start of his career on Sunday. The left-handed starter tossed five no-hit innings. He allowed no runs on no hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Drohan now holds a 4.00 ERA, .226 BAA, and 1.24 WHIP on the season. In 105 2/3 innings he’s racked up an impressive 136 strikeouts.

Maceo Campbell has looked phenomenal since joining High-A. The right-handed reliever has thrown four innings over three appearances. He’s allowed just one run on one hit and three walks, while striking out six batters. His season in Low-A was a rollercoaster. Maybe he can even it out while at a higher level for the rest of the year.

Tyler Uberstine’s great High-A run continues. The righty has a 2.45 ERA, .194 BAA, and 1.13 WHIP in 29 1/3 innings pitched at the level. He’s struck out 29 batters compared to 12 walks. And now has 95 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings between Low-A and High-A this season.

Joey Stock has dominated between Low-A and High-A this season. The right-handed reliever has a 2.44 ERA, .196 BAA, and 1.15 WHIP between the two levels. He’s recorded 71 strikeouts compared to 27 walks in 59 innings pitched. Stock has heavily impressed since being an undrafted pick up last season.

Jacob Webb has quickly fixed his numbers in High-A after a bad outing. The righty reliever has tossed 8 2/3 innings over his last eight appearances, giving up no earned runs. He’s down to a 2.89 ERA, .211 BAA, and 1.42 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings between Low-A and High-A. Webb has 69 strikeouts and six saves in that time.