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April Farm Report: A Master and His Bard - Part 1May 1st, 2008
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There’s a reason why many Red Sox followers remained hesitant when it came to the discussed but never-to-be trade for ace lefty and change-up king Johan Santana this past off-season.
Just call it prospect envy.
With the success of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, last year’s American League Rookie of the Year, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, a key cog in Boston’s World Series sweep of the Rockies, and right-hander Clay Buchholz, owner of a no-hitter in his second major league start, the fans of the Olde Towne Team are starting to expect similar results from each farmhand that makes his way up to the big club.
Add into the mix shortstop Jed Lowire, who has filled in admirably as a super-sub on the major league roster due to injuries in the Boston infield this season, and right-hander Justin Masterson’s impressive spot start against the Angels last week, and this phenomenon of lusting after the unknown—like the backup quarterback in football—only intensifies.
And fans aren’t alone when it comes to prospect envy.
Ultimately, the Red Sox front office, led by general manager Theo Epstein, felt the price for Santana—four top prospects … and a huge contract—was not one worth paying.
On the surface, giving up potential for the sure-thing seems like a no-brainer, especially for a franchise that practically has a license to print their own coin. But the baseball ops department in Boston valued the low-cost talent controlled for six years over tying up $130+ million to one pitcher—even, perhaps, the best one in the game today.
Of course, such a decision greatly depends on the potential at hand. In the case of the Red Sox, the experts tend to agree: the farm is elite, capable of producing a steady stream of high-grade big league talent due to the depth and diversity throughout all levels of the organization.
According to Baseball America, the Sox minor league system ranked second-best in all of baseball as it entered the 2008 season—a far cry from the near dead last placing of 28th back in 2002, the year the current regime took the reigns of the franchise.
In addition, when Baseball America released its annual top 100 prospects, seven Boston farmhands found a spot on their list—a total matched by only the Rays’ organization. The seven Sox were Buchholz (No. 4); Ellsbury (No. 13); first baseman Lars Anderson (No. 40); Masterson (No. 63); Lowrie (No. 73); right-hander Michael Bowden (No. 94); and center fielder Ryan Kalish (No. 96).
Now a month into the new baseball year, it’s time for an April status report on some of the prospects mentioned above and a few others making their mark down on the farm.
And, to clarify, those unlikely to impact the Red Sox soon or in the future—i.e., organizational filler and Crash Davis-types—will be excluded from reports; so apologies in advance to Pawtucket outfielder Jonathan Van Every and his team-leading OPS.
Pawtucket Red Sox – Triple-A International League
PawSox Pitcher of the Month: Craig Hansen, RHP
Just when it looked like the “bust” label would be appropriate for right-hander Craig Hansen, a former No. 1 draft pick out of St. John’s University back in 2005, the hard-tossing reliever has revitalized a so far disappointing pro-career.
Until his most recent outing April 29, the tall and lanky Hansen, with his mid-90s heat and biting high-80s slider, had been nearly flawless on the mound, registering 17 punch-outs in 15 and two-thirds innings pitched while allowing just five hits during the month.
Still far from Ryan Wagner territory, the 24-year-old Hansen has a chance to play a significant role in the big club’s bullpen this season if he can continue to command his fastball low in the strike-zone and harness his inconsistent but deadly slider.
Honorable Mention: Although older, Lee Gronkiewicz, 29, serving as the Pawtucket closer, could find a seat in the Boston pen at some point this season. Relying on command over velocity, the Gronk allowed a lone run over 11 appearances in April.
PawSox Hitter of the Month: George Kottaras, C
Acquired in a waiver-wire deal in exchange for hefty-lefty David Wells in August of 2006, catching prospect George Kottaras went on to struggle in his first full season at the Triple-A level last year. But the left-handed hitter with a sweet line-drive stroke has taken a giant stride forward in an effort to establish himself as the organization’s catcher of the future.
Demonstrating plate discipline and power, the soon-to-be 25-year-old Kottaras has drawn 17 walks and slugged over .500 in April, a mark aided by his team-leading six home runs and 12 extra-base hits.
While still in need of some refinement at the plate, the main question cocerning Kottaras centers on his aptitude behind it as scouts have targeted a lack of quickness in his release when attempting to throw out runners. Given his profile, the former Olympian for Canada’s baseball team often draws comparison to another former Sox catcher, Scott Hatteberg, a good bat that couldn’t stick at the backstop position due to defensive deficiencies.
Honorable Mention: While off to a mediocre start at Triple-A, Brandon Moss, 24, provides the Sox with outfield depth at the corner spots and an ability to play some first base in a pinch. Oddly enough, the left-handed swinging Moss briefly led the major league Red Sox in home runs after launching a game-tying solo shot off the Athletics’ Huston Street in the ninth inning of the season opener in Japan. In sum: good power, decent on-base skills, and a whole lot of of strikeouts.
Portland Sea Dogs – Double-A Eastern League
Sea Dogs Pitcher of the Month: Justin Masterson, RHP
Standing at a menacing six-foot, six-inches, right-hander Justin Masterson had a lights-out April for Portland and a not too shabby major league debut for the Red Sox last week. The 2006 second round pick out of San Diego State held opponents to a .229 batting average during the month, allowing 19 hits in 22 and one-third innings pitched while posting a 11.3 K/9 and a near four-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.
With an arsenal that includes a plus-plus two seam sinking fastball with heavy drop and varying velocity (from the mid-80s to the mid-90s), the 23-year-old Masterson, if you can excuse the pun, is a master at keeping his infielders busy as his 3.63 groundball-to-flyball ratio this April indicated.
Throw in a very good slider that sits in the low-80s, an improving circle-change, and overall above-average command of the zone, and the Sox project Masterson as a potential No. 2 starter in the rotation if all goes to plan. And, so far, so good.
Honorable Mention: At this time last year, right-hander Michael Bowden, 21, not Masterson, was the prospect on the rise after a month of dominance at hitter-friendly Lancaster in Single-A—a feat that earned him a quick promotion to Double-A. Looking to improve as he repeats the level this year, Bowden finished the month of April with a 10.7 K/9 and an opponents batting average of .228. On the negative side, he walked 11 in 24 innings, a rate that will have to improve before he makes the next jump.
Sea Dogs Hitter of the Month: Mark Wagner, C
In what has been a steady and solid month at the Double-A level, catcher Mark Wagner continues to show promise both with his bat and his tools behind the plate. Rated by Baseball America as the organization’s best defensive catcher in the minors, the 23-year-old backstop possesses a strong and accurate arm to guard against would-be base-stealers.
And, if I may use improper English to emphasize a point, his bat ain’t bad either.
After batting over .300 with a better than .400 on-base percentage at Single-A last season, the right-handed hitting Wagner is off to a solid but unspectacular April. Lacking in the power department, Wagner, who has walked as much as he has struck out in his pro-career, sprays the ball from gap-to-gap with a fluid and easy stroke while generally putting the ball in play as he went down on strikes just eight percent of the time this month.
Considering Wagner’s superiority on the defensive end when compared to the aforementioned Kottaras, the 2005 ninth round selection out of UC-Irvine may prove to be the better catching prospect if his bat plays at the higher levels.
Honorable Mention: At best, he may only amount to a major league fourth outfielder, but Jeff Corsaletti, 25, has done nothing but get the most out of his skills—and those skills include a dependable glove and outstanding strike-zone judgment as seen in his .400+ on-base percentage in over 300 minor league games. In limited action this April, the left-handed hitter batted .375 with a .455 OBP and slugged three home runs.
Well, as my word count approaches the 1,500 mark, it’s a good time to stop. Part two is on the horizon; I’ve covered the Master(son), now it’s on to the Bard … no, not Shakespeare … I promise. Although, lately, this Bard has authored some noteworthy lines of his own. Until then …
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