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Boston Red Sox prospect watch 8/22/22: Milestones being reached

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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Red Sox prospect Triston Casas
WORCESTER – Triston Casas watches the ball fly before being tagged out running to second during the final home game of the inaugural season at Polar Park on Sunday, September 26, 2021.Spt Woosoxgame 59 /

Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)

Triston Casas continues to build his legend as his Major League debut could happen at any moment. Not only has he been boosting his numbers lately, but Casas added a walk-off hit this week. The left-handed hitting first baseman is slashing .258/.367/.458 with 18 doubles and nine home runs in Triple-A this season. He’s driven in 31 runs and scored 37 more.

Connor Wong returned from injury this week and decided to go on a power spree. Since August 13, the right-handed hitting catcher has three doubles and four home runs. He’s slashing .272/.338/.439 with 18 doubles and 10 home runs this season. Wong has driven in 29 runs, scored 38 more, and stolen seven bases. His athleticism makes him a fun catcher to watch, and he should be in the Majors again soon.

Ronaldo Hernandez is another name that could/should be in the Majors soon. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .275/.304/.452 with 25 doubles and 12 home runs. He’s driven in 53 runs and scored 39 more. Hernandez has a great arm as well. And with catcher not being a strong spot, it wouldn’t be crazy for Boston to call up two.

Quick note on Kole Cottam. He is still 2-for-8 with a walk and two doubles. I get it that they have Wong and Hernandez, but they need to find some playing time for Cot.

Enmanuel Valdez is slashing .211/.333/.456 with two doubles and four home runs in his short stint in Worcester so far. The average may seem low but the run production has been phenomenal for the left-handed hitting second baseman. Valdez has 15 RBI, 10 runs scored, and one steal in 16 games.

Pedro Castellanos doesn’t get much attention but all he does is hit. Between Double-A and Triple-A this season, the right-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder is slashing .284/.311/.451. He’s hit two triples and 11 home runs, to go along with a career-high in doubles with 25. Castellanos has also managed 57 RBI, 40 runs scored, and one steal.

Ryan Fitzgerald holds a .226/.311/.422 slash line with 17 doubles, four triples, and 15 home runs. He’s driven in 60 runs, scored 43 more, and stolen five bases. The average doesn’t look great, but he’s been getting on-base recently, and his 60 RBI are just five away from tying his career-high. Fitzgerald also had a walk-off, showing the clutch gene.

Devlin Granberg is slashing .279/.375/.417 with 21 doubles, five triples (career-high), and four home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. The right-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman has driven in 28 runs, scored 45 more, and stolen eight bases (career-high). Granberg has more power than he’s shown and gets on-base. Just a consistently reliable bat.

Jeter Downs has had a strange season. He’s slashing .197/.316/.412, not exactly great. However, he’s managed 11 doubles, one triple, and 16 home runs. The right-handed hitting infielder has driven in 33 runs, scored 56 more, and stolen 18 bases. Despite playing in just 81 games he’s four homers and two steals away from a 20/20 season.

Frank German has now tossed 31 1/3 innings in Triple-A. The right-handed reliever has a 2.30 ERA, .144 BAA, and 0.96 WHIP in that time. He’s struck out 39 batters and has four saves. German seems to get better every outing, and there’s no reason to not give him a look in the bullpen (that needs help) before the end of the year.

Andrew Politi should be right there with German. The righty reliever has a 2.75 ERA, .203 BAA, and 1.04 WHIP in 55 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s struck out 69 batters compared to 18 walks and is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

Zack Kelly should also get a look in the Majors this season. The right-handed reliever has a 2.83 ERA, .198 BAA, and 1.22 WHIP in 47 2/3 innings in Triple-A this season. He’s struck out 67 batters compared to 24 walks and has been one of the best relievers in the minor leagues over the last two seasons.

Chris Murphy was on his way to a good start, but a rain delay ended it early. The left-handed starter gave up one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two, over four innings. He’s down to a 3.11 ERA, .193 BAA, and 1.16 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Murphy has 122 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings so far.

Brayan Bello made a rehab start in Triple-A this week. The righty threw 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks, compared to five strikeouts. Bello’s looked great in his rehab back up to this level, and it would be great to see him back in the Majors soon.

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