The Boston Red Sox have rebuilt their farm system over the past few years into one considered among the strongest in baseball. Many of their prospects make one of their first professional stops in Lowell to play for the short-season Spinners in the rookie level New York-Penn League.
There is a lot of coaching going on to get these players
acclimated to professional ball, but Spinners manager Joe Oliver has tried to
simplify the instructional philosophy, explaining, “I don’t really think it’s
too difficult here. It’s basically just trying to relay consistent mechanics,
staying in a consistent routine, and really tweak the style that they have to
throw or hit, and just try to modify it.”
Everyone in the minors is a superior athlete with varying
levels of baseball ability. Being able to harness those attributes and have
them translate during actual games is what sets the true prospects apart.
Lowell hitting coach Noah Hall believes that even the
simplest adjustments can dramatically impact hitters. “The one skill at this
level, cause it’s the rookie level, first, second-year guys is just controlling
their effort level. It’s plain and simple. Everybody here has a nice swing;
they all have the ability to have success and hit the ball hard but what holds
them back is their effort level. The guys that can control it at this level,
it’s something special. Usually guys aren’t doing that until early twenties,
mid-twenties to late twenties, and learning to really control it.”
It’s always exciting to see the newest crop of Red Sox
prospects. Although many have started to generate buzz, they are also at the
point of their careers where the possibilities of what kind of players they
will end up becoming are limitless.
The Spinners played a three-game series in Burlington,
Vermont June 27-29 against the Vermont Lake Monsters. Here are some
observations about a number of Boston’s youngsters I was able to see during
that time.
First Baseman Sam
Travis: The 2014 second-round pick made a big splash during the series,
including hitting his first professional home run, which was a moon shot to
left field. He finished with seven hits, six RBIs and a second home run in the
three game series.
Prior to the first game, the 20-year-old out of Indiana
University discussed the biggest adjustments he’s had to make since being
drafted. “There’s a lot more hours at the field, but then again, I love coming
to the park so it is obviously a good time. Maybe getting adjusted to wood
bats. We used the aluminum bats. Other than that, it’s the same game; it’s just
going out there and having fun.” Clearly, he is learning quickly and if his
production is any indication, he is having a great time!
Making comparisons can be an iffy proposition but Travis is
very reminiscent of Mike Napoli with his build, big power and extremely quick
wrists.
Right-Handed Pitcher
Willie Ethington: The 2012 17th-rounder received a $200,000 bonus
and posted a sub-3.00 ERA in his first two professional seasons in the Gulf
Coast League. Unfortunately he had his worst outing of 2014 against Vermont,
allowing six hits and four runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings. He struggled
with his command, hitting the first batter of the game. His fastball sat in the
86-88 mph range—touching 89-90 occasionally (which was a notch lower than
SoxProspects.com’s scouting report).
A comebacker to the mound off his pitching hand resulted in him leaving the
park with a wrap (however he later confirmed it was not a serious injury).
Second Baseman Raymel
Flores: Signed to a $900,000 bonus
out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, the 19-year-old switch-hitter has been
handled carefully. Flashes of what made him so intriguing to the Red Sox came
out in the two games he played against Vermont, as he lined his first career
professional home run to right, smacked a triple, stole a base and looked very
slick on defense.
Outfielder Bryan
Hudson: Blazing fast, the 19-year-old has just one stolen base in three
attempts in 13 2014 games. However, he legged out an infield single on a
relatively routine grounder to shortstop and generally flew around the field.
If he continues to develop as a player, he could be a difference maker based on
his legs alone. It doesn’t seem like the left-handed hitter will ever have much
power but the nine walks he has already drawn this season is a positive sign of
plate approach for someone his age.
Right-Handed Pitcher
Karsten Whitson: The 10th overall selection of the 2010 draft (to
the San Diego Padres) elected to attend the University of Florida instead of
signing. He struggled with injuries over
the next few years, including missing the entire 2013 campaign before
rebounding with a solid senior season and getting selected by Boston in the
11th round of this year’s draft.
SoxProspects.com
describes the 22-year-old’s arsenal as including a low-90s fastball and a
slider and changeup that have the potential to be plus pitches. He has yet to
make his professional debut but is pleased with the work he has been putting
in. When asked which of his offerings he is currently happiest with he
responded, “Probably my changeup. I was able to throw it a lot in college while
progressing through my throwing program and coming off shoulder surgery. It’s a
pitch I really worked on, and I’ve thrown it my first three of four bullpens
and it’s been working really good for me, so hopefully I can continue that.”
It will be a long road to get back to top-prospect status
but he is already thinking about how he can best finish 2014, explaining, “I
think for me, getting back on the mound and having some fun, competing and
getting an opportunity to go out there and pitch. I don’t really have any
specific goals; I just want to command the strike zone and throw all of my
pitches for strikes if I can.”
Right-Handed Pitcher
Jason Garcia: A year removed from Tommy John surgery, the 21-year-old looks
like he is roaring back with a vengeance in his fourth appearance since the
procedure. Starting Game 2 of the series, he registered 93 mph on his first
pitch and scattered two hits (including one infield dribbler) over six shutout
innings. He was consistently sitting 92-95 mph, and mixed in an effective
changeup and slider. He punctuated the performance by blowing away Vermont
outfielder Justin Higley with a 96 mph fastball on his final pitch.
Since being taken in the 17th round of the 2010
draft, Garcia has matured physically and could be poised to make a leap forward
among Sox pitching prospects in the next year.
He exuded positivity in talking about coming back from the
difficult injury. “Rehab, the last half year has been going great. It’s tough
at first but the hard work seems like it is paying off. My goal right now is
just to continue to work on that command with my off-speed. My fastball command
has gotten a lot better. I’m just trying to get that confidence back with
slider and changeup. Hopefully finish out the year in Salem or Portland.”
Outfielder Danny
Mars: It’s easy to see why Boston likes this year’s sixth-round selection
out of tiny Chipola College. He’s a hard-nosed grinder who plays his heart out
every second he is on the field, showing off solid fundamentals by laying down
a great bunt, taking pitches and showing smart overall play during the series.
When asked what his greatest attribute as a player is, the
20-year-old switch-hitter didn’t pause before explaining, “I come out every day
and I play a hundred percent. I give it all I have, and it kind of shows,
diving and sliding head first. I love the game and I never take any day for
granted.”
Although he has good plate patience and some speed, he
doesn’t stand out in any one area. However, players with his kind of motor and
heart often exceed expectations, so it will be interesting to see how he
progresses.
Third Baseman Jordan
Betts: The power-hitting infielder started his pro career off with a
splash, quickly belting three home runs out of the gate. However, as he explained,
the transition to the Boston organization was anything but easy. “The first
couple of weeks, coming from college baseball with metal bats and also not
playing for three weeks after my last game at Duke, it was just getting used to
the timing of the game, getting back to the game rhythm, and getting used to
wood bats.”
The right-handed former Blue Devil has a long swing (14
strikeouts in 12 games) but if that can be corralled he has the power to make
some noise in the system.
Right-Handed Pitcher
German Suarez: Living up to his reputation of
a big arm, the 21-year-old hit 97 mph during his two-inning appearance on the
28th. Overall, it wasn’t an especially impressive performance, as he allowed a
run on two hits and a walk. He is striking out a batter per inning thus far this
season but has a long way to go to start getting the hype to match his
fastball.
Shortstop Mauricio
Dubon: Last year’s 26th-round pick had an up-and down series. The painfully
slender infielder showed some ability with a glove and smacked a triple to deep
right-center off Oakland Athletics’ 2014 second-rounder Daniel Gossett. He was
also picked off from first and had some other at-bats where he looked a bit
overmatched. Just 19, there is plenty of time for him to develop.
Infielder Nick
Longhi: The Red Sox thought enough of the right-handed hitter to give him a
$440,000 bonus
after taking him in the 30th round in 2013. Still just 18, he is leading Lowell
with a .347 batting average, and has the kind of projectable frame to indicate room
to grow as a hitter- especially in the power department.
Statistics via milb.com
Disclaimer: Author is not a
professional scout but has followed and written about baseball for more than 25
years.
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You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
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