Boston Red Sox prospect watch: Monegro's swag and Meidroth's glove
Yordanny Monegro and Chase Meidroth are two of the stars of this week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch. They were far from the only prospects to show out, though.
Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)
Ceddanne Rafaela hit another home run this week and has a 20/30 season. The right-handed hitting centerfielder/shortstop is slashing .302/.349/.520 with 31 doubles, three triples, and 20 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He's driven in 79 runs, scored 80 more, and stolen 36 bases.
Niko Kavadas has struggled in Triple-A but finished this week strong with three hits (including a home run) in his last two games). The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .203/.386/.405 with 14 doubles and 16 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He's driven in 54 runs, scored 53 more, and stolen two bases.
David Hamilton is on a four-game hitting streak. The left-handed hitting middle infielder is slashing .243/.360/.445 with 15 doubles, four triples, and 15 home runs. He's driven in 47 runs, scored 65 more, and stolen 49 bases.
Emmanuel Valdez is on a five-game hitting streak. The left-handed hitting second baseman is slashing .247/.364/.500 with eight doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs. He's driven in 38 runs, scored 32 more, and stolen four bases.
Nick Sogard hit a home run this week. The switch-hitting utility is slashing .276/.383/.398 with 17 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. He's driven in 42 runs, scored 62 more, and stolen 14 bases. Sogard's flexibility and solid defense all over the field adds value.
Ronaldo Hernandez is still mashing. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .247/.337/.472 with 12 doubles and 16 home runs. He's driven in 58 runs, scored 42 more, and stolen one base.
Stephen Scott collected a hit in four of five games this week. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .272/.370/.578 with nine doubles and 12 home runs in Triple-A. He's driven in 40 runs, scored 29 more, and stolen two bases in 44 games.
Grant Gambrell made his Triple-A debut this week. The right-handed pitcher tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits while walking four batters and striking out five. Gambrell started this season in High-A and already has a win in Triple-A.
Brandon Walter twirled two gems this week. The left-handed pitcher combined to allow two runs on nine hits over 12 innings. He struck out 12 batters and walked two. Walter is down to a 4.75 ERA, .274, and 1.47 WHIP in Triple-A. He's struck out 84 batters compared to 35 walks in 89 innings.
Brian Van Belle allowed two runs on five hits in six innings this week. The righty struck out seven batters without walking any. BVB has a 4.26 ERA, .261 BAA, and 1.29 WHIP in 118 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He's struck out 109 batters and walked 35.
Red Sox Double-A (Portland)
Chase Meidroth has been making absurd plays in the field at second and third base recently. The right-handed hitting infielder is heating up at the plate, too. Meidroth is slashing .268/.397/.393 with 18 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs between High-A and Double-A. He's driven in 54 runs, scored 65 more, and stolen 11 bases. Meidroth showcases a good glove, incredible concentration, and a strong arm in the field.
Nick Yorke is on a 17-game on-base streak. The right-handed hitting second baseman is up to a .279/.357/.459 slash line with 21 doubles (new career-high), five triples, and 13 home runs. He's driven in 59 runs, scored 66 more, and stolen 10 bases.
Brainer Bonaci hit his second Double-A home run on Sunday. The switch-hitting shortstop is slashing .297/.354/.464 with 18 doubles, one triple, and 11 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He's driven in 45 runs, scored 44 more, and stolen seven bases.
Blaze Jordan hit his first home run at Hadlock Field this week. The right-handed hitting corner infielder is slashing .301/.359/.498 with 27 doubles, one triple, and 18 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He's driven in 79 runs, scored 62 more, and stolen two bases.
Matthew Lugo played in both games of a doubleheader on Sunday and combined to go 5-for-5 with a walk and an HBP. The right-handed hitting utility is slashing .252/.305/.391 with 22 doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He's driven in 34 runs, scored 34 more, and stolen seven bases.
Phillip Sikes has been phenomenal defensively this season. He's shown great instincts and a strong arm in the outfield. However, he's struggled to stay consistent offensively. On Sunday, he hit a home run in both games of a doubleheader. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .225/.307/.361 with 18 doubles, three triples, and nine home runs. Sikes has driven in 40 runs, scored 63 more, and stolen 36 bases.
Nathan Hickey is still a problem at the plate. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .278/.370/.524 with 20 doubles, one triple, and 18 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He's driven in 53 runs, scored 51 more, and stolen three bases.
Tyler McDonough is having a phenomenal month of August, slashing .328/.368/.459. That's turned his season around. The switch-hitting utility is now slashing .248/.322/.374 with 14 doubles, three triples, and five home runs in Double-A. He's driven in 33 runs, scored 43 more, and stolen 18 bases. McDonough plays good defense all around the diamond and shines in the outfield.
Tyler Esplin is finding his swing in Double-A. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .261/.292/.413 with five doubles and one triple. He's driven in nine runs and scored six more in 15 games. Just 24, hopefully, he can stay healthy.
Tyler Dearden is slashing .263/.359/.392 with eight doubles, one triple, and six home runs. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 31 runs and scored 26 more. Dearden has been phenomenal in August (.310/.406/.517).
Alex Binelas is slashing .218/.280/.466 with 16 doubles, two triples, and 15 home runs. The left-handed hitting corner infielder has driven in 46 runs, scored 39 more, and quietly stolen 10 bases.
Corey Rosier got hot again this week. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .300/.360/.461 with 21 doubles, five triples, and seven home runs in Double-A. He's driven in 38 runs, scored 59 more, and stolen 44 bases.
Angel Bastardo made his Double-A debut this week. The right-handed pitcher surrendered three runs on six hits over six innings. He walked two batters and struck out four. It was an encouraging beginning to this new chapter for Bastardo.
Isaac Coffey continues to be consistently strong out of the rotation. The righty allowed two runs on five hits over a career-high seven innings this week. He walked two batters and struck out nine. Coffey has a 3.14 ERA, .218 BAA, and 1.09 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. He's struck out 149 batters and walked 30 in 111 2/3 innings.
Wikelman Gonzalez allowed one run on two hits over five innings in his lone start this week. He struck out six batters and walked two. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.88 ERA, .161 BAA, and 1.17 WHIP in Double-A. He's struck out 47 batters and walked 21 in 34 1/3 innings.
Hunter Dobbins went seven innings for the second straight start. The righty allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six batters. He has a 3.74 ERA, .241 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. Dobbins has struck out 100 batters compared to 25 walks in 91 1/3 innings.
Luis Guerrero tossed two perfect innings over two appearances this week. The right-handed reliever has a 1.52 ERA, .147 BAA, and 1.14 WHIP in 47 1/3 innings. He's struck out 54 batters compared to 30 walks and has 18 saves this season.
Red Sox High-A (Greenville)
Kristian Campbell made his High-A debut this week. The 132nd overall pick in this year's draft looked great, too. Campbell went 3-for-8 with a triple and a home run. The right-handed hitting utility drove in one run, scored three more, and stole one base.
Kyle Teel is demolishing High-A pitching. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .436/.531/.513 with three doubles. He's driven in nine runs, scored eight more, and stolen one base. Teel has more walks (8) than strikeouts (7).
Eddinson Paulino's upward trend continues. The left-handed hitting utility is slashing .253/.335/.417 with 24 doubles, four triples, and 11 home runs. He's driven in 54 runs, scored 62 more, and stolen 23 bases. Paulino's slashing .316/.398/.500 in August.
Gilberto Jimenez had an encouraging week. The switch-hitting outfielder is slashing .235/.267/.412 with seven doubles, one triple, and two home runs in High-A. He's driven in 13 runs, scored 15 more, and stolen six bases in 22 games.
Allan Castro had a couple of big performances this week. The switch-hitting outfielder is slashing .301/.383/.488 with seven doubles, two triples, and four home runs in High-A. He's driven in 14 runs, scored 19 more, and stolen two bases in 32 games.
Roman Anthony's cooling off as the wear of a long season seems to be hitting him. The left-handed hitting outfielder is still slashing .287/.404/.559 with 12 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs in High-A. He's driven in 34 runs, scored 37 more, and stolen two bases.
Nick Decker had another solid week that included three steals. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .220/.327/.425 with 12 doubles, four triples, and six home runs. He's driven in 20 runs, scored 34 more, and stolen eight bases.
Tyler Miller picked up a hit in four of five games this week. The left-handed hitting corner infielder/outfielder is slashing .269/.322/.425 with 18 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs. He's driven in 49 runs, scored 45 more, and stolen 17 bases. Miller has been extremely impressive at first base, in particular.
Max Ferguson hit a home run this week. The left-handed hitting utility is slashing .230/.353/.338 with 14 doubles, two triples, and five home runs in High-A. He's driven in 31 runs, scored 52 more, and stolen 28 bases.
Luis Perales twirled a gem this week. The right-handed pitcher tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. He walked three batters and struck out five. Perales has a 3.53 ERA, .218 BAA, and 1.39 WHIP between Single-A and High-A. He's struck out 105 batters compared to 46 walks in 79 innings.
Dalton Rogers had his best start in August this week. The lefty allowed one run on two hits over five innings. He walked three batters and struck out five. Rogers has a 4.57 ERA, .204 BAA, and 1.38 WHIP between Single-A and High-A. He's struck out 132 batters compared to 56 walks in 88 2/3 innings.
Zach Penrod has now made two starts in High-A. The left-handed pitcher hasn't surrendered a run over 11 innings of work. He's allowed seven hits and five walks while striking out nine batters.
Brock Bell tossed three scoreless innings over two appearances this week. The righty reliever has a 2.48 ERA, .221 BAA, and 1.07 WHIP in High-A. He's struck out 31 batters compared to eight walks in 32 2/3 innings.
Felix Cepeda allowed a run in High-A for the first time this week. The right-handed reliever has given up a frankly embarrassing one run in 16 innings at the level. That equals a 0.56 ERA, .154 BAA, and 0.69 WHIP. He's struck out 16 batters compared to three walks with Greenville. If you couldn't tell, that "embarrassing" line was sarcasm. We've seen utter dominance from Cepeda.
Noah Song allowed one run on three hits over four innings this week. The righty walked two batters and struck out one. Song has a 4.09 ERA, .273 BAA, and 1.45 WHIP in High-A. He's struck out seven batters compared to four walks in 11 innings.
Red Sox Single-A (Salem)
Yordanny Monegro is the most electric pitcher in baseball, and he's only in Single-A. The right-handed starter allowed one unearned run on two hits over five innings this week. He struck out eight batters compared to two walks. Monegro has a 2.43 ERA, .217 BAA, and 1.23 WHIP in Single-A. He's struck out 60 batters and walked 17 in 40 2/3 innings. Monegro brings so much swagger to the mound and gives an energizing celebration after each strikeout.
Jedixson Paez allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over five innings in his lone start this week. The righty struck out three batters without walking any. Paez has a 3.47 ERA, .234 BAA, and 1.03 WHIP in 80 1/3 innings. He's struck out 67 batters and only walked 12.
Luis De La Rosa allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings over two appearances this week. The right-handed swingman has a 3.17 ERA, .205 BAA, and 1.32 WHIP in 65 1/3 innings. He's struck out 80 batters compared to 38 walks.
Hayden Mullins made his Single-A debut this week and tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings. The left-handed starter didn't allow a hit and only walked one batter while striking out four. Mullins was a 12th-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft.
Noah Dean didn't allow a run or a hit in his 4 2/3 innings out of the bullpen this week. The lefty did walk four, but he also struck out four. Dean has a 6.71 ERA, .242 BAA, and 2.02 WHIP in 59 innings. He's struck out 81 batters and walked 68.
Jonathan Brand didn't allow an earned run in four innings over two appearances this week. The right-handed reliever has a 2.80 ERA, .175 BAA, and 0.99 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings. He's struck out 44 batters and walked 14.
Nazzan Zanetello made his Single-A debut this week. The good news is he picked up an RBI single in his first at-bat on a swinging bunt. That showcased his elite speed and athleticism. The bad news is he only had one more at-bat in the week. The right-handed hitting shortstop left his first game early and hasn't appeared in a game since then. Let's hope he's okay.
Antonio Anderson also made his debut this week. The switch-hitting third baseman went 2-for-9 with a double. He drove in one run. Anderson was drafted as a shortstop but has only appeared at third base so far. It doesn't look like it's going to be much of an issue. His defense has been solid.
Marvin Alcantara looks to be heating up in Single-A, including a three-hit day on Sunday. The switch-hitting infielder is slashing .170/.245/.255 with one double and one home run in Single-A. He's driven in six runs, scored four more, and stolen four bases in 13 games.
Johanfran Garcia hit his first home run with Salem on Sunday. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .152/.216/.303 with two doubles and one home run in Single-A. He's driven in three runs, scored four more, and stolen two bases in eight games.
Jhostynxon Garcia is slashing .232/.328/.373 with 13 doubles, four triples, and four home runs. The right-handed hitting outfielder has driven in 23 runs, scored 43 more, and stolen seven bases. Garcia's bat is warming up to complement his impressive defense in the outfield.
Natanael Yuten is also heating up. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .214/.267/.286 with one double and one triple in Single-A. He's driven in two runs and scored 10 more in 10 games.
Johnfrank Salazar has shown great power recently. The right-handed hitting infielder is slashing .223/.291/.383 with three doubles and four home runs in Single-A. He's driven in 12 runs and scored 10 more in 26 games.
Albert Feliz is still a hoss. The right-handed hitting first baseman is slashing .236/.309/.391 with 16 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs. He's driven in 39 runs and scored 35 more. Feliz looks much better at first than he did in the outfield, and that comfortability is leaking over into his performance at the dish.
Luis Ravelo is slowly pushing his numbers back up. The switch-hitting infielder is slashing .221/.318/.309 with 14 doubles and six home runs. He's driven in 45 runs, scored 47 more, and stolen six bases. Ravelo has a fantastic glove (especially at shortstop) and has shown flashes of potential at the plate.
Yorberto Mejicano is slashing .258/.345/.410 with eight doubles, two triples, and five home runs. The right-handed hitting catcher/first baseman has driven in 24 runs, scored 32 more, and stolen five bases. Mejicano has been solid with the bat all year and is reliable behind the plate and at first.
Lyonell James is slashing .243/.315/.321 with 12 doubles, one triple, and three home runs. The right-handed hitting corner infielder has driven in 43 runs, scored 34 more, and stolen two bases.