The Boston Red Sox have shown signs of life after winning two consecutive series. Just as it has for Boston, the pitching has come alive in the minor leagues.
At all four levels, it felt like pitching dominated this week to carry their teams to big performances. Here's a rundown of who performed the best on both sides of the ball.
Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A)
Jake Bennett is reaching must-watch TV territory at a rapid pace. The left-handed pitcher allowed one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings in his lone start this week. He struck out four batters without walking any.
Bennett has a 0.68 ERA, .109 BAA, and 0.53 WHIP over three starts. The 25-year-old has 13 strikeouts compared to two walks in 13 1/3 innings.
Braiden Ward’s speed has been a factor in so many games already. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .290/.500/.290 this season with seven walks compared to six strikeouts. He’s driven in six runs and scored 10 more. Ward’s already stolen nine bases. He went a perfect 6-for-6 this week on steal attempts and created havoc every time he got on base.
Allan Castro has struggled a bit to start his Triple-A career, but he enjoyed a breakout game on Sunday. The switch-hitting outfielder hit two home runs (one grand slam) and drove in six runs. Castro’s slashing .186/.300/.395, but has three homers and 10 RBI early in the season.
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A)
John Holobetz only went four innings in his lone start this week, but he made them memorable. The right-handed pitcher gave up one run on three hits. He walked two batters and struck out a career-best nine.
Holobetz has allowed one run on five hits over nine innings this season. While the 23-year-old has walked four batters (much higher than his rate last year), he’s already racked up 12 strikeouts.
Eduardo Rivera made his first start of the season and carried some of that World Baseball Classic juice with him. The left-handed pitcher allowed one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven batters while only walking one.
Franklin Arias had three multi-hit games this week. The right-handed hitting shortstop is now 10-for-17 (.588) with a .636 OBP and .706 slugging percentage. He’s driven in five runs and scored two more. Arias has the same number of walks (2) as he has strikeouts (2).
Ahbram Liendo is riding a five-game hitting streak. The right-handed hitting infielder is slashing .250/.308/.417 with two doubles and a triple. He’s driven in three runs, scored four more, and stolen one base. Liendo set a career-high with 42 steals last season, so expect more coming soon.
Nate Baez went 4-for-14 with a double and a home run this week. The right-handed hitting catcher/first baseman is slashing .263/.483/.474 with that double and homer. He’s driven in six runs, scored eight more, and stolen three bases. Baez has more walks (8) than strikeouts (5).
Drew Ehrhard had the coolest week imaginable. The right-handed hitter went 4-for-16 with a walk, a double, two homers, a steal, and seven RBI. He also made two pitching appearances and recorded his first professional strikeout.
Greenville Drive (High-A)
Anthony Eyanson might be special. The right-handed pitcher struck out seven batters over 4 1/3 perfect innings in his lone appearance this week. He didn’t even allow a ball to get to the outfield. Eyanson has a 1.23 ERA, .120 BAA, and 0.41 WHIP in two starts. He has 13 strikeouts and zero walks in 7 1/3 innings.
Juan Valera surrendered two hits over five scoreless innings in his start this week. The right-handed pitcher struck out nine batters and walked one. Valera has 16 strikeouts compared to three walks in 8 1/3 innings this season. He showcased his absurd pitch mix this week by throwing a 95-MPH changeup and a 102-MPH fastball.
Kyson Witherspoon looked much better in his second start of the year. The right-handed pitcher allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over four innings of work. He struck out six batters without walking any.
Alex Bouchard’s first appearance of the season was phenomenal. The right-handed pitcher gave up three hits over 4 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out one batter and walked one.
Salem RidgeYaks (Single-A)
Dylan Brown is off to a ridiculous start to his career. The left-handed pitcher surrendered just one hit over 3 2/3 scoreless innings this week. He struck out eight batters while walking three. Brown has tossed 8 2/3 shutout innings on the year. He’s allowed three hits and three walks compared to 14 strikeouts.
Ethan Walker was born in Virginia, and he gets to start his professional career in Virginia. That career is thriving early. The lefty struck out nine batters over 4 1/3 scoreless innings in his lone appearance this week. He has a 1.29 ERA, .179 BAA, and 1.43 WHIP in two starts. Walker has 13 strikeouts and five walks in seven innings.
Devin Futrell needs to not be in Single-A. The left-handed pitcher struck out four batters in five scoreless (and hitless) innings on Sunday. He has allowed just one hit over nine shutout innings in two appearances. Futrell has 10 strikeouts compared to two walks. He was fantastic last year in Single-A and High-A, but too many pitchers meant Futrell had to start the year back with Salem. There’s clearly nothing for him at this level, though.
Brandon Neely made his long-awaited professional debut this week. The 2024 third-round pick struck out five batters over two perfect innings.
Andrews Opata has hooked me. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .381/.480/.667 with two doubles and two triples through six games. He’s driven in two runs, scored four more, and stolen five bases. Opata was undrafted last year, but has an intriguing mix of power and speed. It’s working for him so far.
Kleyver Salazar’s bat is on fire to start the year. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .381/.409/.667 with three doubles and a home run. He’s driven in four runs and scored five more.
Avinson Pinto looks more offensively inclined than I was prepared for. The 18-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing .320/.320/.600 with three doubles and two triples. He’s driven in three runs, scored five more, and stolen one base. Pinto came to Salem this year, seen as a defense-first shortstop, but the bat has impressed.
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