Boston Red Sox prospect watch: Hot hitters and relievers turning heads

This week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch is led by a couple of scorching-hot hitters and relievers doing their best prime Jonathan Papelbon impressions.

Boston Red Sox Spring Training
Boston Red Sox Spring Training | Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/GettyImages
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Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)

Wilyer Abreu is slashing .274/.391/.538 with 11 doubles, one triple, and 11 home runs. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 65 runs, scored 67 more, and stolen eight bases. Abreu continues to draw walks and get on base while mashing an already-career-best in home runs. He also brings a fantastic arm and strong defense in the outfield.

Ceddanne Rafaela's production this season has been phenomenal. It's even crazier when you consider he had a slow start to the year. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .302/.347/.523 with 29 doubles, three triples, and 19 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He's driven in 73 runs, scored 72 more, and stolen 34 bases. Rafaela's been better in Triple-A than he was in Double-A.

Ronaldo Hernandez demolished a grand slam this week. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .253/.349/.478 with 11 doubles and 15 home runs. He's driven in 53 runs, scored 40 more, and stolen one base. Hernandez hasn't brought much defensively, but he does have a good arm, and the offensive production has been fantastic.

David Hamilton is slashing .237/.356/.433 with 15 doubles, three triples, and 14 home runs. The left-handed hitting middle infielder has driven in 43 runs, scored 62 more, and stolen 48 bases. Hamilton has slumped a bit, but the OBP is still great and highlights how he can make a difference even if he isn't hitting.

Stephen Scott is slashing .281/.373/.633 with nine doubles and 12 home runs in Triple-A. The left-handed hitting catcher has driven in 39 runs at the level, scored 26 more, and stolen two bases. Scott has a career-high 18 home runs this season when you add his Double-A numbers. His defense behind the plate isn't great, but he's newer to the position and improving. It's also better than Jorge Alfaro's, so that's something.

Rio Gomez made two starts this week. The left-handed pitcher allowed three earned runs over nine innings of work. He allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. Gomez has a 3.95 ERA, .253 BAA, and 1.51 WHIP in Triple-A. He's struck out 47 batters and walked 21 over 41 innings.

Brandon Walter made a start this week and looked fantastic. In fact, he's allowed one run on six hits over eight innings in his last two appearances (both starts). Walter walked three batters and struck out four in that time.

Schedule