Boston Red Sox Minor League Update
One of the season’s early success stories is Pawtucket Red Sox infielder Yamaico Navarro.
Says Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen, “He’s an impressive kid. He does so much on the field really, really well. If he wants to, there’s no reason why this kid isn’t going to be a big leaguer for the next 10 years.”
Navarro is 18 for 58, .310 Avg., 1 HR, 8 RBI.
Navarro can play 2B, SS and 3B – and his versatility adds to his value.
He could be a factor for the Red Sox this season.
Either as a utility man – should the Sox move Marco Scutaro, once Jed Lowrie officially takes over the starting SS job.
Or as a trading chip in a deal to pick up a pitcher or catcher. Some teams that could be looking for an infielder: Baltimore, Colorado, Minnesota and New York Mets.
Any Catcher on the Horizon?
Mike Scandura has a good post on Portland Sea Dogs C Ryan Lavarnway – a player who is stronger offensively than defensively – despite a slow start (11 for 50 – .220; 2 HR; 7 RBI). Don’t expect any immediate big league help from Lavarnway.
The Red Sox are looking for someone among Lavarnway, Luis Exposito and Tim Federowicz to break out in 2011. The jury is still out on all three on whether one of them will emerge as a quality MLB prospect. Federowicz is off to the best start and Alex Speier writes he may be on the radar to help out this year.
Wilson Striving to be a First
Alex Wilson – currently pitching at AA Portland – has the goal of becoming the first Saudi Arabian born starting pitcher to make it to the majors. His father worked there as a geologist.
Wilson is 2-1, 5.14 ERA for the Sea Dogs early in the season with a disaster in his last start ballooning his ERA. Here’s SoxProspects report on Wilson.
Albie Jarvis
