Boston Red Sox prospect watch 8/29/22: Injury scare and lack of call-ups
By Hunter Noll
Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)
Look, I get it. You want to make sure he’s fully developed as a player. No need to rush him when it feels like the season is already over, right? And Franchy Cordero’s hitting home runs in the Majors at the moment, so that helps a bit. But to be more realistic, I don’t get it. Triston Casas should be there. And it makes more sense to call him up in a basically dead season. It gives him a month and some change to get used to the level before next season.
Casas is slashing .329/.461/.549 in August and up to a .270/.383/.480 slash line in Triple-A this season. The left-handed hitting first baseman has 20 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs in that time. He’s driven in 35 runs and scored 44 more, and it couldn’t be more obvious that Triple-A pitchers want nothing to do with him at this point.
Connor Wong has no business being in Triple-A still. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .361/.400/.787 with five doubles and seven home runs since returning from injury on August 13. He now has a .285/.346/.472 with 20 doubles and 13 home runs on the season. Wong’s driven in 40 runs, scored 45 more and stolen seven bases.
Ronaldo Hernandez could be right behind Wong on the flight to Boston. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .279/.316/.454 with 26 doubles and 12 home runs this year. He’s driven in 55 runs and scored 43 more. After a rough first month-and-a-half, Hernandez has been possibly the most consistent hitter in Triple-A this year.
Pedro Castellanos is possibly having his best season in the minor leagues, and he’s done it while playing in Double-A and Triple-A. The right-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman is slashing .288/.314/.457 with 25 doubles (career-high), two triples, and 12 home runs (one off his career-high) between the two levels. He’s driven in 63 runs, scored 45 more, and stolen one base.
Nick Sogard was putting up solid numbers in Double-A, and has looked even better in Triple-A. The switch-hitting holds a .255/.355/.350 slash line with 17 doubles, one triple, and four home runs between the two levels. He’s driven in 37 runs, scored 48 more, and stolen 16 bases so far.
Bryan Mata is going to be making his Triple-A debut this week. That’s exciting. The right-handed pitcher was putting up just bonkers numbers in Double-A this year. El Idolo has a 1.85 ERA, .202 BAA, 1.19 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts over 48 2/3 innings pitched. His last three outings all saw Mata give up zero earned runs over six innings each time.
Andrew Politi should be in the Red Sox Major League bullpen. The right-handed reliever has a 2.61 ERA, .199 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Politi has racked up a ridiculous 71 strikeouts compared to just 18 walks over 58 2/3 innings pitched to this point, and needs a look in Boston.
Frank German has been so insanely dominant this season. The right-handed reliever has a 3.02 ERA, .159 BAA, and 0.96 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A this season. German has struck out 60 batters compared to 19 walks in 44 2/3 innings so far. And he’s had some of the more untouchable relief performances I’ve seen this year.
Victor Santos gave up 17 runs in 10 2/3 innings pitched over his first three Triple-A appearances. Things weren’t looking great for the right-handed pitcher. However, Santos looked elite his last time out. He gave up just three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 11 batters.