Archive for the ‘Xavier Bogaerts’ Category
Five Things to Watch: Red Sox Prospects
Here’s a quick list of things to watch for among Red Sox Prospects.
Will Middlebrooks. He had a great year in AA Portland last season – but poor results in a short AAA Pawtucket stint. Middlebrooks is a player who has shown steady improvement each year in the minors. Will he continue his progression with the PawSox this season – and establish himself as heir apparent to Kevin Youkilis at 3B? And be ready for a 2012 call-up if Youkilis gets hurt once again?
Anthony Ranaudo. Another “tale of two cities” performer last year. Ranaudo delivered in Low A Greenville but was pretty mediocre in High A Salem. It was Ranaudo’s first year in pro ball – so most likely adjustment was needed to the longer season. Does Ranaudo step it up in 2012 and show he can be a #2 or #3 starter? Do the Red Sox push Ranaudo getting him to Portland during the season?
Xander Bogaerts. He more than held his own as an 18 year old SS in Greenville (16 HRs, 45 RBIs in 72 games). How fast will the Red Sox push Bogaerts – Salem seems likely, perhaps even at the start of the season. Will Bogaerts reach Portland? And the bigger question – how high does he move up the charts on the top MLB prospects lists?
Jose Iglesias. He was a media darling this week – fielding grounders in pre-camp workouts. Iglesias added some muscle in the off-season. Will this additional strength help him move beyond being a good-field, no-hit SS? And whether he hits or not – will the performance of the Mike Aviles – Nick Punto combo – push Boston to promote Iglesias during the 2012 season?
Bryce Brentz. He fits the bill for what the Red Sox need most offensively: a righty power hitter who can play RF. Brentz has a breakout year last season – smashing 30 HRs with stops in Greenville and Salem. Will he continue the success in Portland – with perhaps a jump to Pawtucket during the 2012 season? And establish him as a bona fide big-league power hitting OF prospect?
Who’s on your “watch list” for Red Sox prospects? And what are you watching for them to do in 2012?
It’s Not That Red Sox Have Turned Cheap – It’s They Bet Big on Wrong Guys
It has become fashionable for pundits to pick on the Red Sox for their lack of action in free agency this off-season.
For instance, Jon Heyman threw out the theory that ownership’s attention to Liverpool is the reason Boston hasn’t spent big this off-season.
Red Sox brass quickly shot down Heyman’s perspective, saying the Red Sox and Liverpool are run as separate enterprises.
And Larry Lucchino publicly spoke out, noting Boston will have the second highest payroll in baseball.
Jeff Passan wrote in the previous five off-seasons, Boston spent $514,475,500 on free agents, compared to only $7.35 million this off-season.
I agree with Tim Britton who noted calling the Red Sox cheap is unfair.
A more apt description – learning the lessons from the past.
Over the last few years, Boston has spent big on free agents with not much to show for it.
Daisuke Matuszaka ($52 million over six years), John Lackey ($82.5 million over five years) and Carl Crawford ($142 million over seven years) have not paid off – at least so far.
Let’s add in 12-game winner (and September disaster) Josh Beckett ($68 million over four years).
The issue is not the amount of money the Red Sox are spending. It’s who they have spent it on.
Also factor in, the Red Sox farm system has not produced an impact player since Clay Buchholz arrived in 2007.
Lack of farm system results has driven free agent spending – which is not a long-term winning proposition.
Especially when AL East competitors Tampa Bay and Toronto have top farm systems (ESPN subscription required), closely followed by New York.
The Red Sox farm system strength is in the lower minors.
This coming season should provide an indication whether young players – like Xander Bogaerts and Blake Swihart – will move into the elite prospect category.
If they do that may bring some balance to putting a team together – with player development leading the way and free agency filling in the holes.
Albie Jarvis
