2009 Red Sox Prospect Ranking, Season-Ending Edition
Now that the minor league season has come to an end, it’s time to take a look at where the top prospects of the Boston Red Sox stand.
The Sox engaged in a handful of mid-season trades this year, and amazingly only managed to part with one upper-echelon prospect: pitcher Nick Hagadone. Hagadone, while impressive, is a guy who will be 24-years-old in January and has yet to pitch above A ball. His loss is acceptable considering the addition Victor Martinez brings to the team. The other key names in the farm system are, for now, still Red Sox property.
1. Josh Reddick (OF, 22)
Reddick rises to the top of the list of the strength of his power potential, something we’ve seen on display at times during his 2009 stint with the big team. As skinny as he is, he’s able to drive the ball fairly well, and is probably a 25 HR guy in the majors right now. If the 22-year-old adds some muscle to his 6’2″, 185 pound frame, he could become a legitimate middle-of-the-order power threat. He’s probably 1 year away from becoming starting RF material. If the Sox decide to move J.D. Drew before his 2011 contract year, Reddick is a logical replacement.
2. Ryan Kalish (OF, 21)
Probably the closest thing to a “5 tool player” in the upper levels of this farm system. Kalish does everything well enough (hitting, fielding, running) but nothing really extraordinarily. His .271/.341/.440 line is extremely impressive for the Eastern League considering his age. Power hitting and plate discipline are two areas where he could improve. He has plenty of time to do just that.
3. Lars Anderson (1B, 21)
Easily the biggest disappointment in the farm system this season. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and keep him relatively high. He’s still very young, and has all the physical attributes of a premier hitter (and his track record prior to this year indicate that the scouts aren’t just blowing smoke). He turns 22 on Friday, and will likely repeat the Eastern League in 2010.
4. Casey Kelly (SS/P, 19)
To a non-scout who hasn’t seen him play the field, it’s easy to glance at the 2009 results and dismiss his potential as a SS/3B in light of his huge successes on the pitcher’s mound. I did see him throw an inning in the Futures Game, and he looked extremely polished for a guy his age. Kelly is at or near the top of most lists right now, but I can’t help but assume that his infield pursuits are hindering his development as a pitcher.
5. Luis Exposito (C, 22)
Suddenly, catchers who can hit are all the rage in Beantown. Expo is not the greatest at throwing out runners (26.7% in 2009), but can you honestly remember the last time the Red Sox had a starting catcher with a good arm? I think it was Tony Pena, and I’m not exactly pining for a return to those days. As long as the guy isn’t a complete Mackey Sasser level dolt behind the plate, I’ll take a pure hitter over a banjo-hitting “gritty leader who handles pitchers well and is good in the clubhouse” any day.
6. Ryan Westmoreland (OF, 19)
Probably the fastest rising player in the organization. His terrific season ended on a sour note when he crashed into an outfield wall a la Michael Madson in The Natural. I’d love to put the RI native higher on this list, but his stellar performance needs to be taken in context; a lot of also-rans have put up gaudy numbers in Lowell over the years. Still, Ryan is a 5-tool player, and maybe the one guy on this entire list who has the potential to become a true superstar.
7. Yamaico Navarro (SS, 21)
Another guy who the Sox promoted aggressively to Portland before his 22nd birthday, only to see him struggle. I’m not going to discount what he did in Salem after returning from injury. Navarro is still the best SS prospect in the organization.
8. Michael Bowden (SP, 22)
Bowden quietly had an excellent year in AAA Pawtucket. In his professional career, Bowden has never really had a disappointing season. He may not light up the radar gun, but he could have a long career as a serviceable starter in the major leagues.
9. Che-Hsuan Lin (OF, 21)
A personal favorite of mine who started the year out very slowly before finishing up strong. Lin is reportedly amazing in center field, with great speed, range, and a cannon for an arm. Offensively, he’s very patient at the plate, and makes the opposition pay with the occasional SB. He’s still young enough to add some pop.
10. Junichi Tazawa (SP, 23)
His fastball seemed a bit too meaty for my tastes. However, that 12-6 curve he flashed was impressive, and apparently he’s working on a forkball similar to the one employed by teammate Hideki Okajima. He might eventually become a decent back-end starter. I’d peg his potential as similar to Bowden’s. He’s never going to be a guy that you’re afraid to face in a short playoff series.
Next: Our 2009 Awards (League MVP, etc.)
Where would you rank Stolmy Pimentel?
Somewhere in the next 3. Stolmy is the 4th best pitching prospect in the system behind Kelly, Bowden, and Tazawa.
I should (and still might) write up 11-30.