The Pawtucket Red Sox currently stand at 23-14, second place in the North division behind the Buffalo Bisons. One of their best hitters has been catcher Ryan Lavranway.
1. Ryan Lavarnway.
Probably the most major league ready of all the prospects as he's had stops in Boston in 2011 and 2012. The 25 year old catcher was recently called up with David Ross being placed on the 7 day concussion list. The way I look at it, he should be starting NOW. Jarrod Saltlamacchia is a streaky .240 hitter at best and a below average defensive catcher. The only reason he still has a job is Theo Epstein (and apparently Ben Cherrington too) thought he was going to be the next great catcher, didn't work out that way. When called up, Ryan was hitting .313 with 2 home runs and 15 rbi's. He was never a big power hitter in the minors but again, he can't be any worse defensively than what we've already seen plus he's made no errors in Pawtucket.
Which brings us to a familiar face, Jackie Bradley Jr.
2. Jackie Bradley Jr.
The surprise of spring training was Bradley Jr who hit so well during spring training, he made the opening day roster (also helped David Ortiz missed the first 2 weeks). Even though he was completely overmatched, the 22 year old has tremendous upside. He's done an interview stating that he's ready for the next go-around. He's currently hitting .302 with 14 hits since he was demoted then put on the minor league DL. The way I see it, Jonny Gomes was brought in to hit lefties and other than the grand slam, he hasn't been able to do it. Jackie can run fast, he can field and if he can hit....there's no reason they should keep Gomes on the roster over Bradley.
The underdog of the group is Jeremy Hazelbaker
Pawtucket's left fielder is the 25 year old Hazelbaker, who was drafted with Alex Wilson in 2009. Hazelbaker is hitting .290 with 5 home runs and 19 rbi's. His power has been developing the last couple of seasons and is leading the team with 9 stolen bases. If the Sox don't think Bradley Jr is ready, they definitely can bring Hazelbaker up if Victorino can't stay healthy or someone else goes down.
Completing the trio of outfielders is 2010 pick Bryce Brentz.
4. Bryce Brentz
The 24 year old right fielder may be a year away but he too has upside. He's hitting .260 but he has 6 home runs and 23 rbi's. He's showing good power and in a few years he could be starting in right field or be used as trade bait in the meantime for someone else.
Which brings us to the infield and the downtrodden Jose Iglesias.
5. Jose Iglesias
Jose Iglesias is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball and he's not even in the majors. In one of the saddest cases of politics, the defensive wizard is rotting in Pawtucket because Red Sox management doesn't like the fact he's a light hitter and they want to justify PU Drew's 9.5 million dollar contract. The 23 year old has done what a lot of other 23 year olds would do, he complained. He bitched that he should be up there rather than PU Drew getting paid 9.5 million dollars to do nothing and Pedro Ciriaco commit one error after another, how was he rewarded? His manager benched him and told him to keep his mouth shut. Iglesias' batting averaged has dipped to .217 and has shockingly committed 3 errors. Its typical Red Sox mismanagement as they ruined Daniel Bard by having him start and now they're ruining Iglesias because they really have no viable excuse not to have him in the majors. There's nothing Ciriaco can do that Jose can't and Drew has been a flop so far. If they decide to trade him, they better get something good for him.
Last on the list of position players is Brock Holt
6. Brock Holt
The "other" man in the trade for Joel Hanrahan is 24 year old Brock Holt. The Pawsox second basemen is currently hitting .179 in AAA with no extra base hits. Normally a guy like this is strictly bench material but if he can turn it around in the near future he could be used for trade bait or somehow make the major roster.
Now onto the pitchers. First up is the surprise of the season, Ryan Rowland-Smith
7. Ryan Rowland-Smith
The 30 year old lefty had been up and down the majors for years and he actually pitched on the Australian team of the World Baseball Classic. Normally he wouldn't be considered a "prospect" but when you hurl 22 1/3 innings and give up only 1 run, there's always a chance he can be called up. Can't be any worse than Andrew Miller right now.
Next up is the flamethrower, Rubby De La Rosa.
8. Rubby De La Rosa
The 24 year old throw-in to the Dodger Blockbuster last year has been used primarily as a starter in Pawtucket so far this year. Rumors are rampant that he's being groomed as a reliever later on in the year which would be very valuable as trade bait or bullpen help when rosters expand to 40 in September. If Allen Webster is the chosen one as a starter, De La Rosa could become a devastating reliever if he learns control, something Daniel Bard used to be.
Speaking of the devil, here's Webster himself.
9. Allen Webster
The cho-cho-chosen one *cue Jeff Jarrett music*. Webster is their highest rated pitching prospect and the centerpiece of the Dodgers Blockbuster from the previous season. He's got all the tools to be an effective major league starter and he's only 23. He's started 4 games there and has struck out 26 in just 20 innings. If he can rebound from his poor outing against the Minnesota Twins, he could either be the next 5th starter or a September call up.
Now for the forgotten one, Chris Carpenter.
10. Chris Carpenter
He will forever be known as the man traded for Theo Epstein. The 27 year old has been feast or famine as he's given up 11 earned runs and 15 walks in 18 innings but has struck out 28. Time is running out for him to get his act together but if Pawsox coaches can teach him control, maybe he can turn himself into an effective reliever either here or somewhere else.
Which brings us to the dark horse of the group, Chris Hernandez
11. Chris Hernandez
The 24 year old starter has been another surprise as he's posted a 3.63 ERA in 5 starts for the Sox. He too came in the 2010 draft and of all the prospects, he's the lowest rated. What a feather in his cap it would be to work hard enough to reach the majors either with Boston or someone else. He doesn't have the strikeout numbers Webster and De La Rosa do but if he can get guys out, that's all scouts are looking for.
All in all the sox have ELEVEN, yes, eleven prospects/options they can bring up if someone poops their pants too much or gets injured. The beauty of having so much depth is that some of these guys just need a chance to prove themselves in order to be an effective major leaguer. The other side is having so much depth means valuable trade chips if the Sox want to pull off a big move for another starter or a slugger they desperately need. Until then, its family fun for all as the Pawsox look to make another run at the Governor's Cup.
That about wraps up the Pawsox update, the next Red Sox off day will be Monday, June 3rd and we'll take a look at the state of the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox Double A team.
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