Creating an All-Star roster from Red Sox prospects at every level
With the Boston Red Sox struggling on both sides of the ball, let's look some bright spots: the minor leagues. Almost every team is playing up to their potential, but the problem that presents itself is that their best players are getting called up to the next level.
Some are staying put though. Whether that's to give them more time in their development, or whether they are just simply not ready for the next level. More often than not, it's the former, as Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer, Chaim Bloom, has had a history of building - if not crowding - the farm.
Though some teams may not look like full-on contenders this season, there are definitely some players who have shined thus far, here's who would make up an All-Star starters roster if we made it just out of Red Sox minor leaguers.
Note: the active roster will not contain injured or released players, nor will it mention players who have played on the major league roster this year. These players will be mentioned in the "honorable mentions" category.
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Pitcher
Shane Drohan (Worcester, AAA)
We'll start out with the most important position on the diamond: the pitcher. The undisputed answer this season has to be Shane Drohan, who has had one of the most memorable seasons of his career. After starting out the season in Double-A Portland, Drohan was quickly called up to Triple-A Worcester.
Throughout this season, to call Drohan a stud would be putting it mildly. In 10 starts for both the Sea Dogs, and the WooSox, he has gone 6-1 with a 3.08 ERA. He has also struck out 51 batters, and walked just 25 batters in 52.2 innings.
He has allowed 37 hits, and 19 runs (18 earned), and held opponents to a .196 batting average with a 1.18 WHIP. If you're asking me, those are some pretty solid numbers to look at.
Honorable Mentions: Sterling Sharp (AA), Brendan Nail (AAA), Grant Gambrell (AA), Robert Kwiatkowski (High-A), Bradley Blalock (Low-A), Joe Jones (AA).
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Catcher
Nathan Hickey (Portland, A)
Hickey has played at two different levels in 2023 - starting at Greenville, and after 18 stellar games, getting called up to Portland. and now in Portland. On the season, Hickey has hit a combined .294, while hitting seven home runs, and driving in 20 runs.
While Hickey is only getting his feet wet in Portland, those are definitely some impressive numbers for someone who has played at two different levels throughout the season and kept it going. Whether he shows signs of slowing down remains to be seen.
Hickey may not see his name get called when picking rosters for the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game, but he's definitely a name to keep an eye on moving forward - especially if he's the type of catcher who can hit for average, as well as for power.
Honorable Mentions: Ronaldo Hernandez (AAA), Stephen Scott (AA), Alex Erro (High-A), Caleb Hamilton (AAA), *Jorge Alfaro (AAA)
*indicates released
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: First Base
Blaze Jordan (Greenville, High-A)
If he hadn't played eight games in the big leagues this season, Bobby Dalbec would be the automatic choice with his 1.000 plus OPS, 14 home runs, and 30+ RBI. But, because he's been with Boston and actually started a few games, he is disqualified from being the front-runner for this position.
Blaze Jordan, however, has... Well... "Blaze"d his way through the South Atlantic League in 2023. (Too soon with the wildfires?) He has hit .299 with seven home runs and 36 RBI. Keep in mind, that's only through 49 games in Greenville.
The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham, recently wrote a story about Dalbec's resurgence and why there's no spot for him on Boston's roster, but the real question I'm asking myself looking at Jordan's numbers is: "why is there no spot for him on Portland's roster?"
Honorable Mentions: Niko Kavadas (AA), Daniel Palka (AAA), **Bobby Dalbec (AAA).
**indicates played in MLB playing time
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Second Base
Nick Yorke (Portland, AA)
Now this one was a tough one to pick, as there are a few players to choose from who have played second base in the minor leagues this season, but none that have played it the most consistently and with more poise than 21-year-old Nick Yorke.
Before getting to his offensive numbers, the thing that stands out to me about Yorke is his defensive numbers. In just 38 games at second base, he has tallied just two errors on the season. In all 46 games he's played, he has also hit the ball well too - collecting a batting average of .294 with seven home runs and 26 RBI.
In addition to this, Yorke has shown some speed collecting eight doubles and three triples, giving him 88 total bases on the season and it hasn't even reached the All-Star break yet, let alone the Futures Game. Yorke should be a name to watch out for on that roster as well.
Honorable Mentions: Nico Goodrum (AAA), Max Ferguson (High-A), Tyler McDonough (AA).
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Shortstop
Marcelo Mayer (Portland, AA)
I doubt there was any question in anyone's mind on who this was going to be after the torrid start that Marcelo Mayer put up in High-A Greenville. While he's gotten off to a bit of a slow start since being called up to Double-A Portland, there's no mistaking how incredible this season has been for the Red Sox top-prospect thus far.
Mayer's had some competition for this spot this season, especially in the form of David Hamilton in Worcester, and, admittedly, he would have taken the spot if he were not hurt right now, but the injury bumps him just off the board as Mayer sneaks in and takes the spot.
Honorable Mentions: ***David Hamilton (AAA), Christian Koss (AAA), Ryan Fitzgerald (AAA), **Bobby Dalbec.
***indicates injured list
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Third Base
Chase Meidroth (AA, Portland)
When Boston took Chase Meidroth in the 4th round of the 2022 draft as a second baseman, no one really knew what to expect as there was a log-jam of players at the position. Instead, Meidroth took on a new position - third base.
Meidroth has been riding the position for the last two years, and has taken that ride all the way up to Double-A Portland in not even two years. According to Fangraphs.com, his ETA with the Red Sox is 2027, but given his meteoric rise - and numbers this season - it may be a bit sooner than that.
In 2023 alone, he has hit .320 with five home runs, and 26 RBI. In addition to surpassing his home run and RBI totals from last season, he has also surpassed his total bases number from last year as well as he now sits at 68 to last year's 41. Meidroth may be flying under the radar for now, but it won't be long before he becomes a household name.
Honorable Mentions: *Bobby Dalbec (AAA), Matthew Lugo (AA), Blaze Jordan (High-A), Ryan Fitzgerald (AAA), Nick Sogard (AAA).
Early look at Red Sox prospect All-Stars: Outfielders
This was quite possibly the toughest position to fill out of all of them, as Boston is ripe with outfield prospects. There are promising young stars that were close, but didn't quite make the list, but these are the ones who fit the mold of "future stars".
Ceddane Rafaela (AA, Portland)
Ceddane Rafaela doesn't exactly fit in on the scoresheet as a traditional outfielder, as he is listed on the Sea Dogs' roster as a third baseman, but there's no doubt he fits on this list somehow and today it's as an outfielder. Rafaela has played the majority of his games in center field and as a designated hitter. The Red Sox, and their fans alike, see him as the next Mookie Betts offensively, and the next Jackie Bradley Jr. defensively and with speed to boot.
The utility aspect of his game will help him down the road, but look for Rafaela to be an integral piece in Boston's clubhouse sooner rather than later, not to mention back in the All-Star Futures Game for the second year in a row this year after hitting .281 with five home runs and 32 RBI while also stealing 25 bases.
Juan Chacon (Low-A, Salem)
If only Boston had known what they had in Juan Chacon last season. In 2023, Chacon has sneakily become one of the top prospects to watch over the next few years, and he has time too considering he is only 20-years-old. After playing mostly for the FCL Red Sox in 2022, he was promoted late in the season to Salem, but he struggled.
This season, however, has been a bit of a different story. He has hit .286, has yet to hit a home run, but has driven in 11 runs. The best statistic to look at for Chacon, however, is the fact that he has stolen 19 bases in 25 attempts, not to mention a league-leading five triples. Chacon is a player to watch, but the Red Sox are in no position to rush him.
Corey Rosier (AA, Portland)
Another person who has impressed in Portland's outfield, along with Rafaela, is Corey Rosier. Originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2021 out of UNC Greensboro in the 12th round, he has impressed this season after being moved by San Diego as part of the trade that brought Eric Hosmer to Boston, and sent Jay Groome to San Diego.
Through 40 games, Rosier has hit .319 with two home runs and 15 RBI. Now, those may not sound like impressive numbers, but when you put in 24 stolen bases on 27 attempts, that's when it starts to get impressive. Add in 61 total bases, and an .830 OPS, that's when you say "wow". You may not know his name now, but you might next year or the year after.
Honorable Mentions: ***Wilyer Abreu (AAA), Ryan Fitzgerald (AAA), Miguel Bleis (Low-A), Gilberto Jimenez (High-A).