This week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch saw Marcelo Mayer go crazy
The Boston Red Sox saw their eight-game winning streak end on Sunday. That should tell you how great things have been going for them lately.
What's even better is that success has moved throughout the minor leagues. This week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch features big performances, including a no-hitter.
No one was able to do what Marcelo Mayer did, though. That's because he reached a level at the plate that's impossible to duplicate. Mayer showed why he's the top prospect in the system and possibly the top prospect in baseball.
Masataka Yoshida led the way in the Major Leagues. The left-handed hitting outfielder is on a 16-game hitting streak. 10 of those games have been multi-hit performances. Yoshida is slashing .321/.403/.536 with six doubles and six home runs. He's driven in 24 runs, scored 22 more, and stolen two bases. Yoshida's walked more times (13) than he's struck out (11). There's nothing negative to even think about.
Jarren Duran is slashing .366/.413/.606 with 11 doubles and two home runs. The left-handed outfielder has driven in 13 runs, scored 12 more, and stolen four bases. Duran looks more comfortable and relaxed this season, and it's translated to every facet of his game, including defense.
Enmanuel Valdez has looked slightly better defensively recently. Meanwhile, the bat is still there. The left-handed hitting second baseman has a .324/.342/.486 slash line with three doubles and one home run. He's driven in six runs, scored four more, and stolen three bases in 11 games.
Connor Wong is slashing .257/.313/.459 with six doubles and three home runs. The right-handed hitter has driven in 10 runs, scored 12 more, and stolen one base. Wong has also been great defensively at catcher and has caught eight would-be base runners.
Triston Casas has shown positive signs lately and has an 18-game on-base streak. The left-handed hitting first baseman is slashing .163/.295/.326 with three doubles and four home runs. He's driven in 12 runs and scored 17 more.
Brayan Bello has made two strong starts in a row. The right-handed pitcher has a 5.71 ERA, .338 BAA, and 1.73 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings. He's struck out 19 batters and walked six. The numbers aren't great, but Bello's looked better recently and has the stuff to make it work.
Josh Winckowski has a 1.57 ERA, .200 BAA, and 0.96 WHIP in 23 innings out of the bullpen. The right-handed pitcher has a 2-0 record, four holds, and one save. He's also struck out 18 batters compared to five walks and has only allowed one home run.