Boston Red Sox prospect watch: Major injury news dampens the day

Red Sox Single-A (Salem)

Luis Perales is starting to cook in Single-A. The right-handed pitcher had the best start of his career this week. He allowed no runs on one hit and no walks, striking out seven batters. Perales has a 4.83 ERA, .254 BAA, and 1.61 WHIP. He's struck out 42 batters compared to 20 walks in 31 2/3 innings.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has pitched six innings in back-to-back starts. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.29 ERA, .227 BAA, and 1.27 WHIP over 39 1/3 innings. He's struck out 33 batters and walked 18.

Bradley Blalock is dominating in Single-A. The righty starter has a 1.38 ERA, .167 BAA, and 0.77 WHIP in three starts. He's struck out 16 batters compared to three walks in 13 innings. Blalock is just returning from injury, but it might be almost time to move him up to High-A.

Jose Ramirez has a 1.24 ERA, .164 BAA, and 0.92 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. None of those are typos. The right-handed starter has struck out 40 batters and walked 16. Ramirez should also be in line for a promotion soon.

Gabriel Jackson has a 3.66 ERA, .285 BAA, and 1.41 WHIP in 32 innings out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever has only struck out 14 batters but has allowed just 10 walks and two home runs.

Luis De La Rosa allowed just one hit in 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his lone appearance this week. He struck out five batters and walked none. The righty reliever has a 3.56 ERA, .207 BAA, and 1.35 WHIP in 30 1/3 innings. He's struck out 33 batters and walked 18.

Ahbram Liendo is having the best .188 season I've ever seen. The switch-hitting second baseman has a .188/.360/.255 slash line with five doubles, one triple, and one home run. He's driven in 13 runs and scored 28 more. Liendo is a fantastic defender with a great OBP and has 27 steals.

Juan Chacon is slashing .280/.411/.380 with five doubles and five home runs. The right-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 12 runs, scored 19 more, and stolen 19 bases.

Enderso Lira holds a .274/.297/.306 slash line with two doubles. The right-handed hitting catcher has driven in nine runs and scored two more in 17 games. Lira has shown great defense and an elite arm behind the plate. Any offense feels like a nice bonus.

Roman Anthony is slashing .228/.376/.316 with nine doubles, one triple, and one home run. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 18 runs, scored 27 more, and stolen 11 bases. Anthony has as many walks (38) as strikeouts (38).

Cutter Coffey is slowly heating up. The right-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .201/.340/.289 with nine doubles, one triple, and one home run. Coffey has driven in 17 runs, scored 23 more, and stolen 11 bases. He's walked 32 times this season.

Allan Castro has been streaky but is trending upward. The switch-hitting outfielder is slashing .226/.354/.344 with 14 doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He's driven in 20 runs, scored 29 more, and stolen 12 bases. Castro's drawn 35 walks compared to 44 strikeouts.

Yorberto Mejicano is slashing .300/.376/.425 with five doubles, one triple, and one home run. The right-handed hitting catcher/first baseman has driven in nine runs, scored 13 more, and stolen four bases. He's walked 10 times compared to 14 walks.

Luis Ravelo is slashing .266/.361/.364 with eight doubles and three home runs. The switch-hitting shortstop has driven in 26 runs, scored 24 more, and stolen six bases. Ravelo continues to be one of the most dangerous bats in Salem's lineup.

Claudio Simon was promoted this week and went 2-for-8 with a double. The right-handed hitting utility has driven in one run and stolen one base. Simon could be getting a decent amount of playing time with Karson Simas getting promoted.

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