2017 Prospect Mega Thread

[Larry Cook]

With a possible bench of home-grown players taken from this group:

Swihart

Travis

Marrero

Lin

Brentz

A Tavarez

J Barfield

D Mars

 

Only Leon, Young, Morelqand, Nunez and HRam are everyday players from other teams. 3 are free agents after this year.

 

I think Hanley technically qualifies as home grown since he started with us.

[moonslav59]

I think Hanley technically qualifies as home grown since he started with us.

 

That's right.

 

Maybe we can replace Moreland, Young and Nunez with some other ex-Sox FA studs.

 

[cp176]

Chavis going deep today as well?

[moonslav59]

Chavis going deep today as well?

 

Yes- today!

 

Portland let up 8 runs in one inning and still won 11-10.

 

Chavis got 2 hits, including his 10th HR in AA.

 

Barfield added his 19th.

[cp176]

Yes- today!

 

Portland let up 8 runs in one inning and still won 11-10.

 

Chavis got 2 hits, including his 10th HR in AA.

 

Barfield added his 19th.

 

One more time for Barfield as well- my oh my. You never know where the real help is going to come from.

[Larry Cook]

Yes- today!

 

Portland let up 8 runs in one inning and still won 11-10.

 

Chavis got 2 hits, including his 10th HR in AA.

 

Barfield added his 19th.

 

One more tater for barfield and that will give us 4 minor leaguers this year with 20 plus taters.

 

When has that happened last?

[moonslav59]

One more tater for barfield and that will give us 4 minor leaguers this year with 20 plus taters.

 

When has that happened last?

 

Barfield has 19, but give him a day or two...

27 Chavis (4 HRs in his last 8 games)

22 Brentz (3 HRs in his last 3 games)

20 Devers + 3 in MLB (6 HRs in his last 9 games)

19 Barfield (7 HRs in his last 10 games0

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Eric Van on Brentz as the Red Sox's 4th outfielder next year (and the need to place him on the 40 man roster this year):

 

Brentz might save you money next year as Chris Young's successor (versus signing a FA or clearing tax limit space for Rusney), and might be better than Young right now, so you do want to get him some more MLB action. . .

 

From what I've seen and from BP's defensive numbers, Brentz is average in LF or a tick above, thanks to a good arm. Nor is there any need for a 4th OFer who can play CF, as Benintendi is already the backup there. Young hasn't played an inning there this year.

 

No one's saying Brentz would be a great 4th OFer. But an OK one who makes MLB minimum has some real value on a team bumping is head on the tax limit. If there's a major injury to one of the starters, you can trade for someone.

 

I have Brentz AND Castillo making the Red Sox 25 man roster next year, but the Red Sox don't need two backup outfielders. The Red Sox don't seem interested in increasing their versatility, i.e., give Brentz some work at 1b and Castillo some work at 3b.

 

Brentz will cost league minimum and so is a bargain next year for the Red Sox. As a CF, Castillo has played well enough to earn a major league role. I'm starting to like the idea of trading Castillo in the offseason with the Red Sox subsidizing a portion of his contract. There are several teams in MLB that have a black hole in CF and could use someone like Castillo. From 2018 to 2020, the Red Sox owe Castillo 35.5 million. If the Red Sox subsidize, say, half that amount, can they find a team that would be willing to pay Castillo 17 million over 3 years (in other words, 5-6 million per year for 3 years--that doesn't seem like an impossible scenario)?

[Spudboy]

One more time for Barfield as well- my oh my. You never know where the real help is going to come from.

 

They will stumble short of the cliff.

 

The smart people here have said so.

[OH FOY]

Barfield pitches once in while. This year not so much, only 2 innings, in 2014 he pitched 35 innings, and had 43 K's. They ought to do this with Ball. He could hit in High School, give him a shot with a bat.

Like to see Barfield get a shot in Sept. Never played in the Majors.

[OH FOY]

Rusney up to .313, having a nice season, in Pawtucket.

[moonslav59]

Eric Van on Brentz as the Red Sox's 4th outfielder next year (and the need to place him on the 40 man roster this year):

 

 

 

I have Brentz AND Castillo making the Red Sox 25 man roster next year, but the Red Sox don't need two backup outfielders. The Red Sox don't seem interested in increasing their versatility, i.e., give Brentz some work at 1b and Castillo some work at 3b.

 

Brentz will cost league minimum and so is a bargain next year for the Red Sox. As a CF, Castillo has played well enough to earn a major league role. I'm starting to like the idea of trading Castillo in the offseason with the Red Sox subsidizing a portion of his contract. There are several teams in MLB that have a black hole in CF and could use someone like Castillo. From 2018 to 2020, the Red Sox owe Castillo 35.5 million. If the Red Sox subsidize, say, half that amount, can they find a team that would be willing to pay Castillo 17 million over 3 years (in other words, 5-6 million per year for 3 years--that doesn't seem like an impossible scenario)?

 

The Sox would be taxed on whatever amount they pay, but if it is less than what they are paying him "off the books" I'm sure they'd go for it.

 

I'm not so sure Castillo's 2017 AAA performance is enough to get some other team that interested.

 

I'll bet Castillo stays in purgatory for the remainder of his contract.

 

I'm hopeful with Brentz, but who knows. He could just be a very good AAAA player.

[OH FOY]

Chavis article and #27 video.

 

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/michael-chavis-slugs-way-to-top-of-minor-league-home-run-leaderboard/c-246210166/t-185364810

[moonslav59]

What a God send it would be if two of these three players could strike it big as soon as next year:

 

Chavis (DH/1B)

Brentz (DH)

Barfield (DH)

 

One problem will be that no GM would count on them to fill the roles of Moreland, Young and Nunez with better production. Chances are DD will sign a big FA to play DH or 1B and all will be blocked for as long as the new guy is signed for. Maybe one can prove himself before HRam is gone after 2018. That's probably their best hope.

 

[cp176]

One more tater for barfield and that will give us 4 minor leaguers this year with 20 plus taters.

 

When has that happened last?

 

I was going to ask this question myself. These guys seemingly have come out of nowhere. I just hope we don't start arguing about who the GM was who signed Brentz. lol - for the record - it doesn't matter! Castillo also continues to hit the ball. These guys very well might present viable options as opposed to paying the price for backup high priced veterans. Castillo maybe not so much.

[OH FOY]

Brentz will be 29 years old in Dec. I was him, I would want to be released, or I would sign with another team. Chances of him making to the big club, on a steady basis is slim. He's cooling off a bit, hitting .261 last 30 days. Edited August 4, 2017 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

Last 28 days Rusney is hitting .364, hitting .377 against Lefties this year, this is amazing, with 2 outs with RISP is hitting .400 this year.

I just think with these kinds of numbers, you would be looked at closely next year as 4th Outfielder against Lefties.

Rusney is 30 years old, be like the Dodgers, don't worry about the cash next year. Give him a shot.

Edited August 4, 2017 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

Looks like Nick Longhi is done for the season, he had modified TJ surgery on the 29th, Reds say he will be ready for Spring Training.

[Kimmi]

Michael Chavis is getting some time in at 1B for the rest of this year, which is very interesting. If he breaks with the team you have an entire homegrown defense.

 

Vaquez/Chavis/Pedroia/Bogaerts/Devers/Benintendi/JBJ/Betts.

 

Thanks Ben! (And Theo!)

[moonslav59]

Brentz will be 29 years old in Dec. I was him, I would want to be released, or I would sign with another team. Chances of him making to the big club, on a steady basis is slim. He's cooling off a bit, hitting .261 last 30 days.

 

He's a minor league free agent this winter, unless we add him to the 40 man roster. He may not need to "be released". (So is Barfield.)

 

This from soxprospects.com

 

The following players will become minor league free agents in November 2017 unless they are added to the 40-man roster or re-signed.

 

Jeremy Barfield, Brian Bogusevic, Bryce Brentz, Dan Butler, Ryan Court, Jacob Dahlstrand, Matt Dominguez, Shawn Haviland, Williams Jerez, Kyle Kendrick, Deiner Lopez, Heiker Meneses, Edgar Olmos, Mike Olt, Mitchell Osnowitz, Tim Roberson, Jose Sermo, Aneury Tavarez, Herny Urrutia, Elih Villaneuva, Marcus Walden, Jordan Weems

 

Then, we have rule 5...

 

The following players will be eligible for the December 2017 Rule 5 Draft if they are not added to the 40-man roster by November 20, 2017:

 

Victor Acosta, Yoan Aybar, Trey Ball, Jalen Beeks, Danny Bethea, Jordan Betts, Ty Buttrey, Rusney Castillo, Harrison Cooney, Jake Cosart, Enmanuel De Jesus, Jhonathan Diaz, Willis Figueroa, Pat Goetze, Daniel Gonzalez, Taylor Grover, Justin Haley, Juan Hernandez, Bryan Hudson, Dedgar Jimenez, Raiwinson Lameda, Isaias Lucena, Danny Mars, Algenis Martinez, Kevin McAvoy, Daniel McGrath, Ritzi Mendoza, Mike Meyers, Mike Miller, Samuel Miranda, Joseph Monge, Jhon Nunez, Yankory Pimentel, Jordan Procyshen, Hildemaro Requena, Jeremy Rivera, Jake Romanski, Chandler Shepherd, Josh Smith, Teddy Stankiewicz, Cole Sturgeon, Aneury Tavarez, Carlos Tovar, Jantzen Witte

 

Players eligible for minor league free agency now or in November 2017 are not listed above.

[OH FOY]

Blake Swihart is doing his Rehab with the GCL Red Sox, he is DH'ing, today 0-2 so far.

[mvp 78]

Barfield is Rick Lancelotti.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Chavis article and #27 video.

 

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/michael-chavis-slugs-way-to-top-of-minor-league-home-run-leaderboard/c-246210166/t-185364810

 

Great piece. His transition to AA has been seamless and that is a tough jump for many players. He has turned himself into an exciting prospect not far from the major leagues.

[moonslav59]

Great piece. His transition to AA has been seamless and that is a tough jump for many players. He has turned himself into an exciting prospect not far from the major leagues.

 

He certainly looks ML ready with the bat, and since he's being moved to 1B, he may be used as a DH in September.

 

In the past, the Sox have promoted players to the bigs on just 10 games at their new position. I'm not sure they'd try that with Chavis at 1B. DH seems safer.

[Larry Cook]

Ockimey with a tater tonight.

[cp176]

Jeremy Barfield's being named EL's player of the month at least deserves notice. his stats for the past month are almost hard to believe. Best ever in franchise history.

[Hugh2]

Not sold on Barfield, also I don't think Chavis sniffs the MLB this year. He probably barely sees any time in AAA, maybe an end of season promotion.

 

Mata goes today, with Smith beginning his rehab.

[cp176]

Not sold on Barfield, also I don't think Chavis sniffs the MLB this year. He probably barely sees any time in AAA, maybe an end of season promotion.

 

Mata goes today, with Smith beginning his rehab.

 

I agree with you - too early to be sold on any of these guys but what they have done is exceptional! I would take a chance on either or both before I signed any aging has been maybes.

[BstHcpr]

He certainly looks ML ready with the bat, and since he's being moved to 1B, he may be used as a DH in September.

 

In the past, the Sox have promoted players to the bigs on just 10 games at their new position. I'm not sure they'd try that with Chavis at 1B. DH seems safer.

 

Zero percent chance Chavis has meaningful AB's at DH for the Red Sox this year.

[moonslav59]

I agree with you - too early to be sold on any of these guys but what they have done is exceptional! I would take a chance on either or both before I signed any aging has been maybes.

 

It's hard giving these guys a real chance at the ML level without some sort of back-up plan.

 

It's hard to risk failure on a team looking to make the playoffs everyone of the next 3 years (including 2017).

 

If the back-up plan is someone like Moreland or Morrison, and these kids both fizzle, we'll be right where we are now- sorely lacking at the 1B position in an era of power hitting gone crazy.