Top 10 Red Sox 25 and Under

[Rdsxmbnt]

Based on Performance/Pure Talent/Projectability/Value/etc.

 

1) SP Jon Lester (MLB ), 25 - Last year he looked like he was going to profile as a solid #2 for many years to come. He's taken that even further this year by striking out 10.34 batters per nine innings while displaying poise and the ability to go deep into games. At 25 years old he looks to be the ace of the future and with Beckett produces the best RH/LH combo in the majors.

 

2) 2B Dustin Pedroia (MLB ), 25 - Hard to imagine Dustin a #2 given he's coming off a MVP season, but it's hard to pick against a left-handed ace. But anyway Pedroia is going to hit for a high average and get on base at a high rate. He's even flashing a little speed/stealing knowledge and looks to be a potential 25+ SB guy also. Solid fielder and will be a key player in this lineup for many years to come.

 

3) SP Clay Buchholz (AAA ), 24 - Rough season last year after an incredible 2007 season. He's looking very good in the minors this year and absolutely deserves a chance, which he'll get in the coming week. A solid low-mid 90's fastball and wipe-out curve and change combo challenges Lester for best stuff on this list and he still has ace potential. Doesn't have the MLB track record but his potential is off the charts.

 

4) CF Jacoby Ellsbury (MLB ), 25 - Personally I'm a huge Ellsbury fan. He won't hit for much power but he should be a solid bet to hit in the .290-.300 range and keep an OBP around .350. Combine that with big-time range and glove skills and the huge SB numbers and you have an extremely valuable player. Good move keeping him over Crisp, he'll man CF for many years to come.

 

5) 1B Lars Anderson (AA ), 21 - Don't know why people are so down on him, but he's still the prime hitting prospect in this system. Tore through A+ and AA as a 20 year old before cooling down a bit this year. His awful May makes his numbers look a lot worse than they are. Hitting .348 this month and is 2.5 years below the average age of a AA player in a pitchers league. Power will come, and his plate discipline is very solid for a 21 year old kid in the Eastern League.

 

6) MR/SP Justin Masterson (MLB ), 24 - I've always been very high on Masterson and I like what he has in store for the future as a MR or a SP. His numbers this year look worse than they are given a few recent bad outings but has otherwise looked good this year and great last year. No clear spot in the rotation as of right now but would make a good set-up man also. Plus sinker

 

7) MR Daniel Bard (MLB ), 24 - Debated putting him ahead of Masterson, but gave Masterson the edge due to his starting ability. Anyway Bard has big-time velocity on the FB and his secondary stuff is coming around. Used in low(er)-leverage situations for the most part but he projects as a future CL or dominant set-up man. Hoping the Sox hang onto Papelbon, which would give the Sox an amazing set-up/CL duo with Bard/Papelbon.

 

8) SP Casey Kelly (A+ ), 19 - Love what I've seen from this kid. Only 19 years old and making A+ hitters look very bad. Velocity should go up a bit as he ages and he already has the makings of a very good curveball. Extremely advanced for his age, and assuming he sticks to pitching, he could start next season in AA as a 20 year old.

 

9) SS Jed Lowrie (MLB ), 25 - Hype has gone down a little with the injuries, but still profiles as a pretty good MLB SS. Defense is probably average, but hitting wise I think he could be a .290/.360/.450 guy which would provide some stability at the SS position.

 

10) SP Michael Bowden (AAA ), 22 - Very advanced for his age and still remains a number of years below the average age for a AAA player. Could pitch in the majors right now and has pitched well in his short stints. Not ace stuff but has a solid assortment of pitches and could be a solid #3.

 

Helium Watch) Nick Hagadone (A ), 23 - Injury has hurt his development but once he gets back into a rhythm here he'll start moving up the ladder quickly. Great stuff, and a lefty to boot.

[Dojji]

Looks good. If I had to rate the next five, I'd go Tazawa, Federowicz, Reddick, Hagadone, Rizzo

 

Actually think Reddick probably belongs in the top 10 although not sure who I'd take out. He is a great power hitter with an excellent arm who can play CF and RF but will settle into RF in the minors. He's been walking more this year (he could hardly walk less) and is hitting at a very good OPS this year in Portland despite NOT having the sterling batting average that inflated his numbers in Lancaster (Reddick is hitting a serviceable .271/.341/.542 with 22 walks). Would not be shocked if Reddick turned up in Pawtucket by August and is very likely to be fully ready when Drew's contract expires.

[THE ARS]

Red Sox under 25?

 

I looked this guy up, not bad, 21 years old.

 

23 - 12, 1.75. Led the league in ERA, shutouts and hits per nine. No HR given up in 323 IP, even got a save.

 

Again, not bad.

 

For a lefty.

[Cocos Disciples]

Red Sox under 25?

 

I looked this guy up, not bad, 21 years old.

 

23 - 12, 1.75. Led the league in ERA, shutouts and hits per nine. No HR given up in 323 IP, even got a save.

 

Again, not bad.

 

For a lefty.

 

Who, Sidd Finch?

[CrespoBlows]

Red Sox under 25?

 

I looked this guy up, not bad, 21 years old.

 

23 - 12, 1.75. Led the league in ERA, shutouts and hits per nine. No HR given up in 323 IP, even got a save.

 

Again, not bad.

 

For a lefty.

 

What?