2024 Prospects

[Larry Cook]

At some point, we might see Mayer, Anthony an Teel promoted to AAA.

Yoshida & Heineman to MLB (Dalbec & Westbrook to AAA)

Meidroth back to 3B

Romero to SS at AAA

Rosario to C at AA or just go with Marrero & Donlan at C

Jh Garcia to OF in AA

(Bleis just moved up to GRE)

Maybe Zanetello to GRE

McElveny to co-C at GRE

Cespedes to SS at SAL

 

I do not know if Mayer is ready for Worcester yet.

Teel is ready, but it seems catcher is crowded in Worcester already.

[mvp 78]

I do not know if Mayer is ready for Worcester yet.

Teel is ready, but it seems catcher is crowded in Worcester already.

 

Mayer still struggles with offspeed stuff I believe and his OPS against LHP is gross. Still has work to do!

 

Romero to AAA???

[sk7326]

Mayer still struggles with offspeed stuff I believe and his OPS against LHP is gross. Still has work to do!

 

Romero to AAA???

 

I could also see the team just giving Mayer a chance for a sustained period of just being healthy and playing. He is handling the level fine as a pretty young regular. Plenty of time for him.

[moonslav59]

I do not know if Mayer is ready for Worcester yet.

Teel is ready, but it seems catcher is crowded in Worcester already.

 

Crowded with what? Heineman is a journeyman-type catcher, and I also suggested we call him up to replace Dalbec (or Cooper.) Hickey is a DH.

 

If Mayer can't handle AAA, we'll find out. If he needs to work on hitting certain types of pitches, better to learn facing better pitchers and pitches.

 

[mvp 78]

I could also see the team just giving Mayer a chance for a sustained period of just being healthy and playing. He is handling the level fine as a pretty young regular. Plenty of time for him.

 

Honestly, if he had all of 2024 at AA, then 1.5 months at AAA next season, he could be ready for BOS. It's the same timeline. The "big three" are already close enough that I don't think there's a reason to worry about the timing of the next promotion. More important that they continue on their development path.

[mvp 78]

Crowded with what? Heineman is a journeyman-type catcher, and I also suggested we call him up to replace Dalbec (or Cooper.) Hickey is a DH.

 

If Mayer can't handle AAA, we'll find out. If he needs to work on hitting certain types of pitches, better to learn facing better pitchers and pitches.

 

 

Why would you call up a 3rd catcher to sit on the bench? If you get rid of a catcher and Wong or McGuire gets hurt, you're really in the lurch in BOS.

[moonslav59]

Why would you call up a 3rd catcher to sit on the bench? If you get rid of a catcher and Wong or McGuire gets hurt, you're really in the lurch in BOS.

 

It's been talked about. Wong can DH and even play 2B. It's more about demoting Dalbec than anything Heineman offers.

 

I'm fine with not calling Heinemen up and just making him Teels back-up at Woo. Hickey can DH and Gaspar can play some 1B or ride the bench.

 

We don't hold Teel in AA because of Heineman, Hickey and Gaspar.

[moonslav59]

Honestly, if he had all of 2024 at AA, then 1.5 months at AAA next season, he could be ready for BOS. It's the same timeline. The "big three" are already close enough that I don't think there's a reason to worry about the timing of the next promotion. More important that they continue on their development path.

 

Agreed, but if these three are as close to MLB as many seem to think they are, isn't facing better competition (more like MLB) than AA a step towards reaching the goal: MLB?

[mvp 78]

It's been talked about. Wong can DH and even play 2B. It's more about demoting Dalbec than anything Heineman offers.

 

I'm fine with not calling Heinemen up and just making him Teels back-up at Woo. Hickey can DH and Gaspar can play some 1B or ride the bench.

 

We don't hold Teel in AA because of Heineman, Hickey and Gaspar.

 

He's not getting called up to BOS this season. Not sure why you're trying to rush him to AAA where they'd have to get rid of depth players that could help a team that you're worried about falling under .500.

[mvp 78]

Agreed, but if these three are as close to MLB as many seem to think they are, isn't facing better competition (more like MLB) than AA a step towards reaching the goal: MLB?

 

If Mayer can't hit LHP in AA, how is it helping him to face even more difficult LHP in AAA? Where is he going to find success? The step towards reaching his goal is succeeding at AA. Mayer is a guy that the SoxProspects guys think may not even be a SS 5-6 years after he enters the league. He's not a huge power guy. He'll need to develop other skills if he's moving off position and struggles against LHP currently, something he can adjust.

[moonslav59]

He's not getting called up to BOS this season. Not sure why you're trying to rush him to AAA where they'd have to get rid of depth players that could help a team that you're worried about falling under .500.

 

I'm not trying to rush him. I have always believed the Sox know when players are ready.

 

I think our big 3 are ready to face a tougher challenge at AAA. I think it is a worthy consideration in their growth process.

 

Your point about maximizing MLB ready depth at AAA is a good one, but to me, the 2024 season is not looking all that bright, and we have more than enough numbers at each of the 3 positions these guys play. We have tons of options, just not great ones:

 

Do we really need more than Heineman and maybe one from Hickey and Gaspar? That's 5 catchers. We certainly don't need any of them as DH depth.

 

Do we need more middle infielders? I'd argue we need better ones. Better than:

Rafaela is ok.

DHam has been doing ok.

Romy is meh to ok.

Vadlez is showing life.

Grissom will be healthy, soon.

Westbrook has been a replacement level infielder.

(Wong can play 2B)

That's 7 guys who have already played at the MLB level, this year and should all be healthy in a week. At AAA, we have Yorke, Meidroth and Sogard, of which 2 can play 3B. That makes 10 middle infielders, before we get to Karson Simas. If you think keeping Simas at AAA for MLB depth is essential, then I have nothing more to say.

 

One strength of this team is the OF and OF depth.

LF: Duran, Refsnyder, Yoshida, O'Neill

CF: Rafaela, Duran, Abreu

RF: Abreu, O'Neill, Ref with Dalbec, Westbrook and Romy seeing limited action, here.

The AAA depth is not great, but I doubt we need all 4 as MLB depth, as long as Westbrook & Dalbec remain healthy and on the 40.

Eddy Alvarez

Mark Contreras (might be enough, by himself)

Matthew Lugo

Corey Rosier

I think we can make room for Anthony at AAA without crushing our ML depth or demoting/trading/DFA'ing one of these 4.

 

Sorry, but I disagree these three promotions would cut into our ML depth in any meaningful way. Hell, 1 or 2 of the big 3 might be ML ready, themselves by August or September '24.

 

 

[moonslav59]

If Mayer can't hit LHP in AA, how is it helping him to face even more difficult LHP in AAA? Where is he going to find success? The step towards reaching his goal is succeeding at AA. Mayer is a guy that the SoxProspects guys think may not even be a SS 5-6 years after he enters the league. He's not a huge power guy. He'll need to develop other skills if he's moving off position and struggles against LHP currently, something he can adjust.

 

I've answered this, already, and how is facing AAA pitching going to hurt his development vs LHPs, if it really was an issue?

 

This whole "can't hit lefties" thing is based on what?

47 ABs in 2024? (.562)

While .710 in 2023 wasn't very good, it didn't suck, either (22 ABs is an even smaller sample size, granted.)

How about .896 v LHPs in '22 (39 ABs) and .887 in 28 ABs in '21?

 

He's getting promoted, at some point. I'm not for rushing him to AAA, if the Sox don't think he's ready or think it might hamper his progress.

 

My opinion is, he looks ready as ever. I'd like to see him be promoted, to see how he does.

 

The Yorke promotion sure didn't hurt him- not that they are all that comparable, but many felt Yorke had serious issues, too.

 

[mvp 78]

I'm not trying to rush him. I have always believed the Sox know when players are ready.

 

I think our big 3 are ready to face a tougher challenge at AAA. I think it is a worthy consideration in their growth process.

 

You can't know that by scouting box scores. Sorry. Anthony, Teel and Mayer all have stuff to work on. None of them are mashing like Betts or Devers did in AA that forced quick promotions to AAA and then on to MLB.

[mvp 78]

The Yorke promotion sure didn't hurt him- not that they are all that comparable, but many felt Yorke had serious issues, too.

 

 

I guess the pitching in AAA isn't really better than AA if Yorke's OPS has almost doubled since promotion. Or is it just a small sample size? Yorke was at about 700 PA's in AA. He was going to get promoted no matter what. He'll also return to a 750 OPS or worse sooner or later IMO. Yorke is also Rule 5 eligible this offseason. They need to figure out if they want to retain him this year or not. There's no similar rush with the big three.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You can't know that by scouting box scores. Sorry. Anthony, Teel and Mayer all have stuff to work on. None of them are mashing like Betts or Devers did in AA that forced quick promotions to AAA and then on to MLB.

 

Agree with all this, but regarding the promotion of Yorke: does anyone think he's a better ballplayer or more deserving than Mayer this season?

 

All their Double A counting stats and BA/OPS favor Mayer, except Ks. Is it that Yorke provides bench depth -- replacing Barrel Man, now in the Show?

 

Obviously, Mayer plays a more demanding skill position -- and it makes sense for him to start at SS every day -- but here's another query: is he already better at short than anyone in Worcester or Boston? If so, on other teams or in other years, he may already be in the majors, or at least called up for the second half.

 

But on the at-best .500 Red Sox, no need to rush anybody...

[mvp 78]

Agree with all this, but regarding the promotion of Yorke: does anyone think he's a better ballplayer or more deserving than Mayer this season?

 

All their Double A counting stats and BA/OPS favor Mayer, except Ks. Is it that Yorke provides bench depth -- replacing Barrel Man, now in the Show?

 

Obviously, Mayer plays a more demanding skill position -- and it makes sense for him to start at SS every day -- but here's another query: is he already better at short than anyone in Worcester or Boston? If so, on other teams or in other years, he may already be in the majors, or at least called up for the second half.

 

But on the at-best .500 Red Sox, no need to rush anybody...

 

Yorke spent almost 700 PA's in AA. It was time. He's Rule 5 eligible this offseason. It was time. Mayer is the better player and had been performing better. They don't hand out promotions based on who has played the best.

[moonslav59]

You can't know that by scouting box scores. Sorry. Anthony, Teel and Mayer all have stuff to work on. None of them are mashing like Betts or Devers did in AA that forced quick promotions to AAA and then on to MLB.

 

Yes, they all have things to work on. They can work on them in AAA, and will likely do so, at some point.

 

Yes, 1 or 2 might jump right to MLB, or just spend a brief time in AAA before MLB. I'm not advocating jumping to the bigs. IMO, all are ready or close to ready to face AAA pitching to better prepare for the bigs.

 

I don't pretend to know more about these 3 than the Sox do, and I trust the timetable they choose.

 

I don't see the jump from AA to AAA as being monumental or process of growth hampering, as much as you, I guess.

 

It's just one opinion. I'm not complaining or criticizing the Sox choices on this.

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Good work today by 17-year-old RHP Dalvinson Reyes for the DSL Red Sox Blue squad today- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. Signed for $450,000 back in January, the 6'5' Dominican's fastball sits around 90 mph and tops out at 93. Has already seen his velocity start to tick up and should see further increases as he matures.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

They don't hand out promotions based on who has played the best.

 

Shirley, you're basing this entirely on what has been a rather inept Red Sox organization the past half decade... and not what most other teams have done since the minor leagues were invented.

 

(giving you the benefit of doubt, because I know I'm due to type a statement soon that multiple posters will jump all over, and make notin's day -- even if he didn't wake up in the mood for a bench-clearing rhubarb donnybrook donnyosmond)

[mvp 78]

Shirley, you're basing this entirely on what has been a rather inept Red Sox organization the past half decade... and not what most other teams have done since the minor leagues were invented.

 

(giving you the benefit of doubt, because I know I'm due to type a statement soon that multiple posters will jump all over, and make notin's day -- even if he didn't wake up in the mood for a bench-clearing rhubarb donnybrook donnyosmond)

 

Promotions just don't get handed to the best player all the time. Look at Karson Simas in AAA. He started in GRE this season and probably should still be there!

[moonslav59]

Promotions just don't get handed to the best player all the time. Look at Karson Simas in AAA. He started in GRE this season and probably should still be there!

 

So, there is a guy at Woo that Mayer could replace, without hurting our ML depth pool.

[Hugh2]

So, there is a guy at Woo that Mayer could replace, without hurting our ML depth pool.

 

 

Simas is an organizational player, they're not risking anything by promoting him to fill a hole, MiILB teams need to field rosters too. Saying we can promote a legit prospect because someone like Simas was moved up to fill a hole is not a fair comparison.

[moonslav59]

Simas is an organizational player, they're not risking anything by promoting him to fill a hole, MiILB teams need to field rosters too. Saying we can promote a legit prospect because someone like Simas was moved up to fill a hole is not a fair comparison.

 

If they are ready, we can promote all of the big 3 without compromising our ML depth at AAA.

[mvp 78]

If they are ready, we can promote all of the big 3 without compromising our ML depth at AAA.

 

Good thing they can all use more time at AA then.

[notin]

Simas is an organizational player, they're not risking anything by promoting him to fill a hole, MiILB teams need to field rosters too. Saying we can promote a legit prospect because someone like Simas was moved up to fill a hole is not a fair comparison.

 

This was a “trickle down promotion.” They happen all the time and mean very little…

[moonslav59]

Good thing they can all use more time at AA then.

 

Wouldn't it be better, if they did not "NEED" more time?

[moonslav59]

Here is a Q, who wins a 7 game series (w 2 days off) between Woo and POR?

[moonslav59]

Woo blew the game late, but I Campbell looks ready to return, in force.

4 outs: 3Ks, no H, no BB

Yorke 2 more hits & BB (1.246)

 

POR won 9-5 as K Campbell went nutty. 4-5 w 2B (1.107)

Anthony 3-5 w 3B (,856)

Teel 2-5 (.853)

Binelas 4-5 w 2B+ HR and 4 rbi (.737)

 

GRE doen 14-7 late as Wehunt got smacked.

JH Garcia 2-4 w HR (1.033)

Gonzo 3-4 w 2Hrs and 6 rbi

Coffey 2-5 w 2B & HR

 

SAL won 3-1 behind Duffy 5 IP 1 ER and Kirwin 4IP 0 ER

Brannon & Anderson homered.

 

[Larry Cook]

Woo blew the game late, but I Campbell looks ready to return, in force.

4 outs: 3Ks, no H, no BB

Yorke 2 more hits & BB (1.246)

 

POR won 9-5 as K Campbell went nutty. 4-5 w 2B (1.107)

Anthony 3-5 w 3B (,856)

Teel 2-5 (.853)

Binelas 4-5 w 2B+ HR and 4 rbi (.737)

 

GRE doen 14-7 late as Wehunt got smacked.

JH Garcia 2-4 w HR (1.033)

Gonzo 3-4 w 2Hrs and 6 rbi

Coffey 2-5 w 2B & HR

 

SAL won 3-1 behind Duffy 5 IP 1 ER and Kirwin 4IP 0 ER

Brannon & Anderson homered.

 

 

Anthony’s hot streak continues!

Yorke has been getting balls to drop

[Hugh2]

I really want to get excited about Yorkes play but it's such a small sample size after doing nothing to improve his stock for two years.

 

It's nice to see the big three are all looking great in AA, and all three look like they could be ready to start contributing to the team at some point in 2025.

 

I want to see more of this Ovis Portes kid, it's always fun to see someone pop. 19 tall righty already up to 98 MPH and misses bats.