Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch 9/12/22: Final week of 2022 season
By Hunter Noll
Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)
Bryan Mata made his second start in Triple-A and it was a good one. I feel compelled to remind everyone that El Idolo was one of the more talked about pitching prospects in baseball before his injury every time I talk about him. The right-handed starter tossed six innings of four-hit ball, allowing two runs on three walks while striking out five. He’ll be in the Majors at some point next season, and I am pumped.
Chris Murphy had one of his better starts in a while. The left-handed pitcher allowed two earned runs over six innings of work. He gave up six hits and two walks, striking out eight batters. Murph made headlines too, by recording the first immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches) in WooSox history.
Frank German has a 2.77 ERA, .152 BAA, and 0.90 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A this season. The righty reliever has racked up 63 strikeouts compared to 19 walks in 48 2/3 innings and has seven saves in eight opportunities. German will start next season with a role in the Red Sox bullpen.
Andrew Politi will be joining German in the Majors to start next season. It’s wild to think about how improved that group can be in 2023 just thanks to a couple of call-ups. The right-handed reliever has a 2.54 ERA, .193 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A this year. He’s picked up 74 strikeouts compared to 21 walks over 63 2/3 innings and has five saves in five opportunities.
Enmanuel Valdez was such a great value pick-up. The left-handed hitting second baseman hasn’t even seemed to find his groove with Worcester. Despite that, he’s driven in 28 runs in just 30 games. Overall Valdez has a .303/.387/.573 slash line with 32 doubles, two triples, and 28 home runs between three teams this season. He’s driven in a staggering 105 runs, scored 89 more, and stolen three bases.
Kole Cottam is getting much more consistent playing time now, and it’s going pretty well. The numbers don’t look great (3-for-29) but he had such rare and sporadic playing time for the last few weeks, you can’t blame him. The right-handed hitting catcher does have three doubles, and he’s gotten on-base the last few games. Overall he’s slashing .252/.334/.360 with 18 doubles, two triples, and two home runs between two levels. He’s driven in 27 runs and scored 30 more.
For the second year in a row, Johan Mieses hasn’t gotten the playing time you would hope for due to several different reasons. He’s had injuries, missed time due to the Olympics, and personal reasons. The right-handed hitting outfielder can mash though, and he’s shown it during his four-game hitting streak that includes a double, two home runs, and eight RBI. Mieses is slashing .259/.385/.517 with 11 doubles and nine home runs in 47 games this season. He’s driven in 29 runs and scored 24 more, even stealing four bases.
Nick Sogard has looked really good in Triple-A and is showing that he has the potential to be a very solid Major Leaguer. The switch-hitting infielder is slashing .258/.366/.354 with 20 doubles, one triple, and four home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s driven in 39 runs, scored 55 more, and stolen 17 bases. Most impressively, his numbers improved after moving up to Triple-A.
Ryan Fitzgerald is slashing .230/.315/.424 with 23 doubles, four triples, and 16 home runs this season. He’s driven in 71 runs, scored 52 more, and stolen five bases. The home runs and RBI are both career-highs. Fitz struggled for a bit this season after an injury, but he’s found his groove again. Great defense at multiple positions, and good pop. He’s earned a shot in the Majors at some point somewhere.