The post-Rafael Devers era has begun for the Boston Red Sox. They went 3-3 this week, including 1-2 against Devers' new team, the San Francisco Giants. Devers, unsurprisingly, hit a home run in the series.
Now, hopefully, we can put that all behind us. Let's focus on the Red Sox and the future of the team. Luckily, that's what we're here to do, focus on the future. The farm system gave us a lot to talk about, including a Double-A no-hitter, dominant pitching in High-A, big bats in Triple-A, and emerging names in Single-A.
Red Sox Prospect Update: Jhostynxon Garcia, Mikey Romero, Yhoiker Fajardo
Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A)
Jhostynxon Garcia hit two home runs on June 22. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .311/.388/.604 with five doubles, one triple, and eight home runs since being promoted to Triple-A. He's driven in 19 runs and scored 21 more in 27 games.
Blaze Jordan went 8-for-20 with a triple and a home run this week. The right-handed hitting corner infielder is slashing .329/.365/.557 with eight doubles, one triple, and two home runs since being promoted to Triple-A. He's driven in 12 runs and scored 15 more in 17 games. There's a legitimate shot Jordan's playing first base at Fenway by the end of the year.
Corey Rosier has a home run in three straight games, including a grand slam on June 22. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .262/.351/.462 with 11 doubles and seven home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He's driven in 30 runs, scored 25 more, and stolen nine bases.
Tyler Uberstine allowed one run on six hits over six innings this week. The right-handed pitcher struck out three batters and walked three.
Uberstine has a 2.45 ERA, .248 BAA, and 1.18 WHIP in six appearances (five starts) since being promoted to Triple-A. He's struck out 32 batters compared to 10 walks in 33 innings.
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A)
David Sandlin tossed six hitless (and scoreless) innings on June 22. The right-handed pitcher walked three and struck out nine batters, tying a season-high.
Christopher Troye came in after Sandlin and tossed two more scoreless and hitless innings. The righty walked two batters and didn't strike out any.
Jonathan Brand was the final piece of the trifecta. He struck out two and walked one in his scoreless and hitless inning to complete the no-hitter.
Ronald Rosario was the catcher and went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the no-hitter. The right-handed hitter also hit two home runs this week and is starting to look more comfortable at the plate.
Connelly Early could be a top-100 prospect by the end of the year. The left-handed pitcher allowed one run on five hits over six innings this week. He struck out eight batters compared to one walk.
Early has a 2.17 ERA, .207 BAA, and 1.17 WHIP in 11 appearances (eight starts). He has 74 strikeouts compared to 21 walks in 49 2/3 innings.
Hayden Mullins gave up one run on just one hit over 4 1/3 innings this week. The left-handed pitcher struck out seven batters while walking two.
Mullins has a 1.82 ERA, .156 BAA, and 1.06 WHIP in 10 appearances (nine starts) between High-A and Double-A. He has 56 strikeouts compared to 21 walks in 39 2/3 innings. Mullins missed three weeks after making a May 1 start but hasn't let that slow down his momentum.
Mikey Romero returned from injury and went 4-for-8 with a double, two home runs, and eight RBI in two games. The left-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .260/.341/.507 with 11 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. He's driven in 26 runs, scored 28 more, and stolen three bases.
James Tibbs III went 5-for-19 with a double and a triple this week. The left-handed hitting outfielder drove in two runs, scored three more, and walked two times (compared to six strikeouts).
Tibbs was one of the prospects in the return for Devers. It was certainly a good start to his Red Sox (and Double-A) career.
Allan Castro is on a five-game hitting streak. The switch-hitting outfielder had a double and a home run this week. Castro is slashing .273/.364/.430 with four doubles and five home runs. He's driven in 17 runs, scored 15 more, and stolen five bases.
Max Ferguson went 7-for-17 this week. The left-handed hitting utility is slashing .178/.306/.259 with three doubles and four home runs. He's driven in 12 runs, scored 28 more, and is 17-for-19 in stolen base attempts.
Greenville Drive (High-A)
Eduardo Rivera gave up one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings this week. The left-handed pitcher struck out eight batters without walking any.
Rivera has a 1.61 ERA, .138 BAA, and 0.83 WHIP over 10 appearances (six starts). He has 68 strikeouts compared to 16 walks in 44 2/3 innings.
Payton Tolle gave up five hits over six innings of one-run ball on Sunday. The left-handed pitcher struck out nine batters compared to just one walk.
Tolle has a 3.62 ERA, .234 BAA, and 1.17 WHIP in 11 games (10 starts). He has 79 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks in 49 2/3 innings. Tolle and Rivera were promoted to Double-A on June 22.
Blake Aita had a strange but effective start. The right-handed pitcher allowed eight hits and only struck out three batters. However, he also only surrendered two runs and one walk. He did so in seven innings. There was traffic, but he severely limited the damage and went deep into the game.
Aita has allowed three runs on nine hits in two starts since being promoted to High-A. He has nine strikeouts compared to three walks in 13 innings.
Nelly Taylor snapped a five-game hitting streak on Sunday but still drew two walks. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .246/.373/.397 with 11 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. He's driven in 25 runs, scored 40 more, and stolen 17 bases.
Taylor was likely in line for a promotion before the acquisition of Tibbs III. He works counts, has shown improvements with the bat, and is an elite defender with fantastic speed.
Miguel Bleis is riding a six-game hitting streak. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .245/.327/.455 with 10 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs. He's driven in 38 runs, scored 40 more, and stolen 14 bases in 16 attempts.
Salem Red Sox (Single-A)
Yhoiker Fajardo made his Single-A debut this week. The right-handed pitcher allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits over four innings. He struck out three batters while walking one.
Fajardo dominated the FCL (0.44 ERA, .134 BAA, 0.77 WHIP, 24 K/7 BB in 20 2/3 innings. While his first start with Salem wasn't perfect, the 18-year-old has a good pitch mix and showcased his potential.
Shea Sprague had another fantastic appearance this week. The left-handed pitcher gave up two hits over four shutout innings. He struck out six batters compared to one walk.
Sprague has a 3.72 ERA, .241 BAA, and 1.24 WHIP in 11 appearances (three starts) between Single-A and High-A. He has 53 strikeouts compared other 16 walks in 46 innings.
Adam Bates had one of his best outings of the season. The right-handed pitcher allowed three hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out one batter and walked none.
Bates has a 4.78 ERA, .213 BAA, and 1.45 WHIP in 12 appearances (four starts). He has 39 strikeouts compared to 29 walks in 43 1/3 innings. Walks have been a serious issue for the Australian. He's walked multiple people in 8-of-12 outings this year. However, Bates hasn't walked anyone in two of his last three appearances.
Natanael Yuten went 5-for-15 with two doubles and a home run this week. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .268/.335/.421 with 10 doubles, three triples, and three home runs this season. He has 23 RBI, 29 runs scored, and five steals.
Yuten has a .756 OPS this season. However, he's sitting at a .980 OPS in June.
Justin Gonzales went 7-for-21 with two walks compared to three strikeouts this week. He had a double and a triple.
The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .252/.364/.331 with five doubles, one triple, and one home run in Single-A. He's driven in 11 runs, scored 21 more, and stolen six bases. Gonzales has 19 walks compared to 24 strikeouts.