Posts Tagged ‘Portland Sea Dogs’
 |
May Farm Report: Promotions & Emotions - Part 1June 3rd, 2008
|
It’s that time again. As the calendar flips to June—and as the 2008 amateur draft gets ready to kick off later this week—we first need to look back at the month that was down on the farm for the Red Sox organization.
But before highlighting the best from the month of May, a little upkeep on April’s minor league headliners tops the pecking order.
Soon after earning pitcher of the month honors in April in Triple-A Pawtucket, right-handed reliever Craig Hansen received another mark of distinction—only this one a bit more noteworthy for the imposing six-foot, six-inch fireballer with a hard slider. On May 6, the 24-year-old Hansen was promoted to the big league Red Sox in an effort to solidify a heavily Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon dependent bullpen.
While the results have been mixed, Hansen has shown some signs of being the potential dominating setup he was heralded to be when Boston selected him in the first round of the 2005 amateur draft. His high earned run average remains a bit deceiving given his lousy/unlucky strand rate of 42 percent; however, on the flipside, his command has been spotty and his .267 BABIP has worked to his benefit …
|
April Farm Report: A Master and His Bard - Part 1May 1st, 2008
|
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.