Boston Red Sox prospect watch: Marcelo Mayer leads pack of promotions
By Hunter Noll
Marcelo Mayer leads pack of promotions in this week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch
This week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch featured another crop of promotions throughout the minor league levels.
There was a notable name in that pack of promotions, too. The system's top prospect Marcelo Mayer was bumped up to Double-A. We saw plenty of other players move up. However, if I named all of them right here, this slide would be too long. We'll talk about each when we get to their appropriate level.
Let's jump right into the Major Leagues, though. How did the Red Sox do this week?
Brayan Bello didn't have his best stuff this week, and he still managed to give the Red Sox a decent start. That's pretty solid proof that things have started to go right for Bello. The right-handed pitcher tossed four one-run innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four batters. Bello has a 3.89 ERA, .280 BAA, and 1.47 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings. He's struck out 41 batters compared to 14 walks.
Josh Winckowski has a 2.27 ERA, .235 BAA, and 1.09 WHIP over 21 appearances out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever has struck out 27 batters while only walking seven in 35 2/3 innings. His ability to eat a few innings if needed has been extremely valuable for Boston.
Masataka Yoshida is slashing .318/.396/.505 with 14 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 33 runs, scored 33 more, and stolen three bases. He's still walked more times (23) than he's struck out (22). Yoshida is tied for ninth in the Majors in OBP.
Triston Casas has a .191/.314/.363 slash line with seven doubles, one triple, and six home runs. The left-handed hitting first baseman has driven in 17 runs and scored 23 more. Casas continues to give enough where you can feel the breakout coming.
Connor Wong is slashing .236/.299/.472 with 11 doubles and six home runs. The right-handed hitting catcher has driven in 15 runs, scored 22 more, and stolen one base. Wong's teasing being one of the better all-around catchers in all of baseball.
Enmanuel Valdez has slumped recently but did blast another home run this week. The left-handed hitting catcher has a .244/.292/.422 slash line with four doubles and four home runs. He's driven in 11 runs, scored nine more, and stolen three bases.