The Top prospects in the Red Sox system.

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Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

Chris Carter will be in Boston in 08. The guy mashes everywhere he goes, all the time. You can only bury him for so long.

It all depends how the roster will shake up in 2008, but there's a good chance Carter will be in Boston in 2008.

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Third base got an injection of talent this Summer. Michael Almenzar is the System #8 prospect who signed this Summer for 1.5 Millions and projects as a third baseman after playing SS as a amateur. Almanzar who is 6-5 185 right handed hitter with plus/plus bats speed and power projection.

Will Middlebrook is the Sox #12 prospect. Middlebrook like Almanzar played SS as amateur, but unlike Almanzar could stay as a SS for now, but projects as a third baseman. Middlebrook baseball skills are raw, but very talented, like Almanzar has plus/plus bat speed and power projection.

Manuel Arambarris is the system #26 prospect. Arambarris doesn't have the physical tools that the top 2 third base prospect do, but what he has is that he is one of the system most pure hitter, however he hasn't hit for much power in his carreer, but is well known that power is usually the last tool to develop. the 22 yrs Venezuelan has improved his defense, but needs to stay healthy, in 2008 should play in Lancaster.

Andrew Pinkney hasn't hit the last couple of years like he did in Grennville in 2005, but enough to move up one level up each year, his glove is average, however he has a plus arm. Chad Spann is more athletic than Pinkney, but not the same arm, his glove work is average. Spann's bat had problems adjusting to AAA pitching. There isn't a question about Scott White power, but his bat has holes in it, his defense its average. White should be playing in Portland in 2008.

Jorje Jimenez hit 23 doubles in 68 games in Lowell in 2007, but only 4 HR. The 23 yrs left handed Puerto Rican will play in Greenville where we will know more about his power. Darren Blocker showed ML power after being signed as a draft and follow in 2007. Pedro Chourio didn't have a good rookie year in the DSL in 2007, but the 17 yrs Venezuelan is well liked by the scouts.

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Mark Wagner is the system #24 prospect and the top catching in the system, Wagner doesn't have a specific tool that stands out, but may be the only catching prospect where all of his tools are average to above average.

George Kottaras is the system #36 prospect. Coming into the 2007 Kottaras was the system not only top catching prospect, but a border line top #10 prospect after being traded from San Diego, but kottaras couldn't handle AAA pitching in the first of the season. Kottara's bat improved in the second half, but just to finished with a 241 Ave with 9 HR. Kottaras defense improved in 2007, but even with the improvement isn't better than average, Kottaras will return to Pawtucket in 2008.

Tyler Weedem is the system #40 prospect. Weedem may tool is his power, his defense also improved in 2007 and while he needs to make more contact he could be sharing the catching position with Jon Eagan in Greenville for 2008.

Jon Egan is the system #48. Egan like Weeden may tool is his power, but also like Weedem needs to make more contact, also like with Weedem his defense improved in 2007. In addition Egan needs to stay in the field, needs to stay away from injuries, only played in 63 Games in 2007 and will return to Greenville for 2008.

Luis Exposito may be the system top defensive catcher with a very strong arm and strong receiving package. there are questions about Exposito's bat, but because he was only able to play 9 games in 2007 because of personal reasons. In 2008 Exposito may have to take step backward and play in Lowell.

Dusty Brown and Salvador Paniagua aren't much behind Exposito as the organization top defensive catcher. Brown is quick behind the plate, a good receiver, block the balls well and has a strong arm, Brown's bat has been his weakest tool, but in 2007 while repeating AA had his best year with the bat. Paniagua is a cat like quick behind the plate, his arm may no bet as strong as it was a couple years ago before TJ surgery. Paniagua's power hasn't never been questioned, his ability to make contact has, but his 13 HR (playing partime) in 2007 almost are double of his carreer high, Paniagua also make more contact in 2007. Brown and Paniagua are both minor league free agents this off season if not placed on the 40 man roster or gets resigned, if they are back with the Red Sox for 2008 both will be back up 9injuries not counted) with Brown in Pawtucket and Paniagua.

Dervin Pinto is the top young Red Sox catching prospect with a very strong arm, but the 17 yrs Dominican isn't ready to play in the States and will return to the DSL for 2008. Not much is known of recently signed Chia-chu Chen (Taiwan) but he may play in the GCL in 2008.

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Oscar Tejeda isn't just the organization #10 prospect, but with the graduation to Boston of Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and perhaps Craig Hansen, could rise Tejeda to a top 5 prospect. Tejeda has a Plus Plus arm which is the best in the organization for a infielder, the rest of his tools are above average.

Argenis Diaz is the system #33 prospect. Diaz is the organization top defensive SS, but Diaz who early in his carreer had a questionable bat has improved every year, specially every year that he has played in the States and in 2007 more than hold his own in Greenville, at the time of this post Diaz is leading the Hawaai league in hitting and his stock is on the rise.

Yamaico Navarro is the system #39 ranked prospect. Isn't likely for a DSl graduate specially a position player to skip the GCL and start his US carreer not in the rookie league like Navarro did when he played for Lowell. Navarro didn't just played at Lowell but was one of its top players. In 2008 at Greenville because Tejeda also should be the SS navarro may have to play second base, but his projection remains as a SS.

Christian Lara defense is just behind Diaz, but the speedy small SS bat hasn't improved the way it was expected. In 2007 while playing at Lancaster Lara hit 9 HR wchich tripple the number of HR that he had hit as a PRO ( 3 ) was it the park? was it the league? never the less lara didn't hit for average and not only that but his speed game disappear. Where lara would play in 2008 is a ? it could be Portland or may be back in Lancaster, but if it's Lancaster he will have to play behind Diaz.

Iggy Suarez had a very good start with the bat in 2007, but it was back in A ball and in Lancaster, we have talked enough about Lancaster, so there's not reason to bring that again, when promoted to Portland Suarez struggle again with the bat, but because a strong finish Suarez ended with a decent year. Suarez glove work has never been questioned. Suarez doesn't have nothing to prove going back to Portland, but his status in Pawtucket depends in the Sox's plan for Lowrie in 2008.

Pedro Vasquez came up as a SS, a position that he played on a regular basis in 2005 in the DSL. The last two years playing in US soil Vasquez has played in different levels and positions wherever there has been a need for his services. Vasquez game is speed, but because he hasn't hit for average he hasn't been able to used. Vasquez has good range with the glove, but his glove work is inconsistent.

Joantoni Garcia comes very well regarded by the scouts, Garcia a 16 yrs Venezuelan was signed in the early phase of International players signing period and more than likely will play in the DSL in 2008.

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Jed lowrie is the organization #11 ranked prospect. Lowrie is ranked and projected as a second baseman which its also the position that Lowrie has been playing in the Arizona Fall league. Lowrie's lack of range, non soft hands and lack of strong arm has been talked before, but a switch hitting second baseman with gap power has a future in the ML and demand for it and that's what the Sox have in Lowrie.

Chih-Hsien Chiang is the organization #21 ranked prospect. Chiang has the most pretty swing in the organization. In 2007 playing in his first full scheduled season Chiang starter strong even showing the HR power that he didn't he showed in GCL, but tired at the end of the season. The 19 yrs Chiang has improved his defense, but still need some work, in 2008 should be playing in Lancaster.

Tony Granadillo is the organization #25 ranked prospect. Lancaster didn't help Granadillo Hr numbers (8) but did help his gap power as he hit 36 doubles. In 2007 Granadillo lost some weight to improve his quickness and play second base where his defensive work is above average.

Ryan Dent is the system #34 prospect. Dent is one of the top athletes in the Red Sox system, but as a baseball players his tools are still raw, while he will play SS in 2008 more than likely at Lowell he projects as a second baseman and a lead off type of hitter.

Kristopher Negron also is one of the better athletes in the Red Sox system. BA ranked Negron as the system #29 prospect in the 2007 Spring, but Negron could never get his bat going in Greenville and his stock has fallen to the point that he will return to Greenville in 2008 but will play behind Tejeda and Navarro. Negron like Dent project as a second baseman.

Jeff Natale has been called by some people in baseball a poorman Kevin Youkilis because of his high OBA and limeted power. In 2007 Natale had problems adjusting to hitting AA pitchers but still finished with a repectfull 270 ave, but his power numbers where way down 5 HR, The issues with Natale is that his bat isn't strong enough for 1B and even less for DH and his defense work as a second baseman while it has improved still remains below average. What position Natale plays in Pawtucket (2008) depends in what do the Red Sox do with Jed Lowrie.

Ryan Khoury is another player whose offensive number where helped by playing in lancaster, but by the end of the season he may had have tire out and his average slip. In 2008 Khoury may play as a SS in Portland, but because of lack of range, arm strength and inconsistents hands he projects as a second baseman.

Kenneth Roque was playing SS this Spring at the famous Puerto Rico's baseball academy before the red Sox drafted him in the 10th round. Roque had a very hard adjusting to pro ball and his defensive and offensive reflects that, however Roque is well regarded by the scouts and will return to the GCL in 2008 playing his projected position (2

Victor Serrano opened some eyes in 2006 while playing in the DSL to the point of earning a promotion to the GCL in 2007. In 2007 Serrano was showing the bat that he showed in the DSL until he slumped late in the season. In 2008 should be playing in Lowell.

Wilfred Pichardo is small and lacks punch with the bat but the speedy 17 yrs Dominican was among the top 5 base stealers in the DSL in 2007. Pichardo should return to the DSL because needs to make more contact at the bat and also needs to improve his defense.

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Right Field is an organization strength. Brandon Moss is the organization #6 prospect. In 2007 as a rookie in Pawtucket Moss had his best power year in his profesional carreer, with 41 doubles and 16 HR. The 16 HR ties his minor league best, but his 148 strikes out, where his highest also. Moss chances to jump to Boston to start the 2008 aren't no more than 50-50 % but a return to Pawtucket should beneft to improve his ability to make contact with the ball.

Josh Reddick is the organiztion #9 prospect. Reddick made his profesional debut in Greenville in 2007 showing a left handed bat that can hit for average or for power in addition of a power RF's arm. It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers Reddick could put up in Lancaster in 2008.

Jason Place is the organization #19 prospect. Place is one of the very few in the Red Sox who are considered potentially to be a five tool prospect, but for that to happen Place needs to make better contact at the since he strike out 160 times in Greenville in 2007, however he has been making better contact with the ball playing in the Hawaiian league this Winter. Place will return to Greenville in 2008 this time as a RF (played CF in 2007)

David Mailman is the organization #32 prospect. Mailman played mainly first base in H.S. but has played enough OF in his amateur carreer is a good athlete with a good arm to be considered a RF prospect. As a hitter has one of the better swings from players from the h.S. ranks (2007) Aline drive swing type that projects power.

Luis Sumoza is the organization #46 prospect. has been well in the baseball circles since the Sox signed him in July 2004 as a baby bonus. Sumoza has been slow developing, to the point of having repeated the GCL. In 2007 his bat may had turned around as while playing in a park (home games) where the ball doesn't travel well he hit 17 doubles in 53 games which where almost double what he had hit his first two years as a pro. The Red Sox brass should take it slow with Sumoza and play him in Lowell in 2008.

Another prospect that has been slow to develop after been a highly regarded H.S. player is Mickely Hall. Hall might had been been the hitter most affected by the Red Sox hitting philosophy. In 2007 while playing in Lancaster had his best season as a hittter, but the key question is was it Mickey Hall, the California league? or the Home park? the difference. If the answer is Hall, he should be playing in Portland in 2008.

The Sox aren't known for developing very athletic outfielders, but when they drafted and signed Kade keowen after the 07 draft that's what he is, in addition of plus-plus power a strong arm, a good defender. The only question to make Keowen a 5 tool prospect (potential) is if he can hit for average or make consistent contact because he is raw. Keowen should go back to Lowell in 2008.

[jacksonianmarch]

Moss is exactly the kind of kid that the sox will trade. Unless he comes out with Howardian type numbers, I am not really sure they will be willing to give up a power position to him. That being said, I think he is a sleeper who could be a solid player one day.

[One Red Seat]

No mention of Kalish in the CF and RF reports? He killed the ball and was all over the basepaths in Lowell prior to his hamate bone surgery. I'm excited to see what he's doing after his recovery.

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Originally Posted by scaffolds

With the graduation Jacoby Ellsbury to Boston who would be the Red Sox top CF prospect going into the 2008 minor league season? Its very close, as matter of fact as close as Che-Hauang Lin as the #14 prospect on the system and Ryan Kalish as the #16 prospect. Kalish is the more polish and better hitter for now, but Lin projects the better power, both players play top defense, but because of Lin's speed who is rated plus, plus and arm also rated plus will get the nod as the top CF in the system. There is a very strong possibility that the Greenville outfielders will be very interesting this Spring with Lin, Kalish, Carlos Fernandez and Jason Plason sharing the 3 outfield positions.

One Red Seat, Ryan Kalish is the system #16 prospect and only second to Che-Hauang Lin as a CF prospect.

[One Red Seat]

Missed it. Sorry Scaff.

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Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

Moss is exactly the kind of kid that the sox will trade. Unless he comes out with Howardian type numbers, I am not really sure they will be willing to give up a power position to him. That being said, I think he is a sleeper who could be a solid player one day.

I agree Moss is a tradeable chip, also in the right situation could be more than the fourth outfielder that he is projected.

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by scaffolds

I agree Moss is a tradeable chip, also in the right situation could be more than the fourth outfielder that he is projected.

I just think that the right situation is not Boston. In either NYY or BOS, you need to be a superior talent to be given the job of LF or RF right out of the minors. Otherwise, we can just sign someone who will be solid for a long time (see Matsui, Abreu, Justice, O'Neill and others we have had during our runs). I happen to think that the sox have a few good OF prospects who are either CFers (like Jacoby) or CFers now who project to corner OFers. But in terms of Moss, I dont think he profiles as a top tier corner OFer and likely will need to be dealt to make an impact.

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Originally Posted by One Red Seat

Missed it. Sorry Scaff.

Not problem at all.

I agree, Boston may not be right the situation for Moss.

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The LF Red Sox prospects talent isn's as strong or deep as CF or RF. The top LF prospect is Carlos Fernandez who is also the organization #29 ranked prospect. Fernandez made the jump the GCL to Greenville to start the 2007 season and for the first time in his pro carreer struggle after having very good seasons in the VSL in 2005 and the GCL in 2006. Fernandez swing may be second only to Chiang as the best in the organization. The 21 yrs Fernandez has been compare by baseball people to Rafael Palmero at the same age, Fernandez should be back in Greenville in 2008.

Zachary Daeges is the organization #31 ranked prospect. If Daeges would had shown that he could play third base he would had been raked higher, but to this point he hasn't. Daeges has one of shortest quick swing in the organization one who produces very good power, in 2007 playing in lancaster led the minors with 55 doubles and also hit 21 HR, in addition is patient at the plate with a very high OBP. Daeges issues are that he isn't very athletic and his arm is border line average.

Yahmed Yema had health issues in 2007 and was only able to play some games, but when healthy Yema has a nice line drive swing that produces a high average, however Yeman hasn't hit for a lot or power as a pro and his speed is average, the reason he doesn't project as a CF like he played in college, but is a good defensive outfielder.

Roberto Feliz has only olayed in the rookie level DSL, but Feliz has plus/ plus right handed power and was among the top HR hitters in the DSL in 2007. Right handed power is the tool hardest to find for scouts, but what makes Feliz unique or a stand out is that besides his power he can make consistent contact with the ball and be a 300 + hitter, the 20 yrs Dominican needs work on his defense and will be in the GCL in 2008.

Jeffrey Corsaletti, Jay Johnson and Bryan Pritz are usuable players, players that have some tools and have had decent seasons, but none of them are better than potentially be a #5 ML outfielder type, in addition all of them have something in common, one of them is being a former CF in college, but one who don't project as a cf as pro, Corsaletti has average speed, a good OBP, but has a limeted power and doesn't make enough contact Pritz can hit for average and its a good OBP player and like Corsoletti a limeted power, but only fair speed. Johnson has some power, but his power was down in 2007 at Portland, not they type of hitter that will hit for average and limeted speed.

Mitch Dening open some eyes while playing in the states for the first time. The 19 yrs Australian showed that he can hit for average, has some speed and a good arm, didn't shoed much power, but again thats usually the last tool that develops. Dening will be playing in Lowell in 2008.

David Marks was unknown in the scouting circles until the Spring of 2007. the Red Sox 20th round has very good power potentially, but is raw and will go back to Lowell in 2008.

Earlier in this post i stated that hitters with top right handed power where the hardest for a scout to find and that is what Juan Bonafacio is. While Bonifacio has plus/plus power he needs to make better contact, however the 2007 season in the DSL was his first year as a pro and a return to the DSL in 2008 should help him.

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With the graduation of Clay Buchholz and perhaps Craig Hansen to Boston, with the possibility projection of Nick Hagadone, Daniel Bard and maybe Justin Masterson to the bull pen, with the lack of sucess in 2007 of Felix Doubront, Bryce Cox and Edgar Martinez and injuries to Caleb Clay, Pedro Rodriguez and Wang-Yi Lin have affected the Sox pitching depth, specially the starting pitching depth, it will be interesting to see how the group of pitchers from the 2007 draft and the graduates from the 2007 DSL will inject talent to the system and in addition the 2008 draft is supposed to be pitching heavy.

Nick Hagadone is the system#15 prospect. The Red Sox may plan for Hagadone to be a starter once the 2008 season starts, perhaps as high as at Lancaster, but in general the scouts view and projects Hagadone as a short reliever. Hagadone started and was a reliever in college, having pitched better as a reliever than as a starter, as a reliever pitches with a fastball around 95, but as starter his fastball sits not higher than 91-92. As a reliever Hagadone may pitch in Boston in 2008.

Ryan Phillips is the system #47 prospect. Phillips has been a starter (when healthy) but made the switch to the pen at the end of the 2007 season and his future may be as a reliever where his fastball hits 91-92. Phillips who has had a lot of health issues will be at Lancaster.

Hunter Jones is the sytem #52 ranked prospect. Jones was very good in Lancaster and in Portland which led him a spot in the Arizona fall league. Jones fastball its 88-90 and should start the 2008 season in Pawtucket.

Jay Marshall was drafted by the Oakland A's from the White Sox in the rule 5 draft in the fall of 2006 despite having pitched only in A ball. The jump to the ML was a big one for the soft thrower who had put up very good numbers before being drafted. The Sox claimed Marshall from the A's shortly after the regular season ended. Marshall should be in Portland in 2008.

Arbert Jimenez is a small left hander a 6-0 160 19 yrs Dominican. Jimenez fastball was down in 2007 to 86-87 while pitching in the GCL his first year in the states, and not only his fast ball was down, but hie ERA risen to 4.30, this after being 91-92 last year in the DSL as a starter and not only as a starter his 0.99 ERA in 54 IPwas among the best in the DSL. In 2008 Jimenez should be pitching in Lowell where the real Jimenez will have show up.

Abe Alvarez, Andrew Dobies, Tommy Hottovy, Kyle Fernandes and Adam Blackley has had up and downs in their carreers, but as left handers pitchers they all have hope of one day be able to pitch at the Ml level. Alvarez might had been Theo's worst draft pick after being drafted early in the second round in 2003, a pitch ability type of pitcher whose command hasn't been what was expected the last couple of years. In 2007 Alvarez begin making the move to the pen after being a starter all along, Alvarez fastball sits in the 84-85 range. Dobies another early round (3th round pick in 2004) and the hardest thrower out of this group where his fastball may hit 90, started making the switch to the pen in the middle of 2007 season with mix results and should return to Portland's pen in 2008. Hottovy is the only out of who has been strickly a starter as a pro, but was a reliever in college and while he may be again a starter in 2008 he projects as a reliever at the ML level. Hottovy's fastball is only a tick harder than Alvarez and also should return to portland in 2008. Fernandes has been a reliever only the last two years, however in 2007 didn't pitched as well as he did in 2006 while pitching in both Greenville and Lancaster. Fernandes fastball is around 87-88 and should go back to Lancaster in 2008. The 22 yrs Australian Blackley had his issues in Greenville, but was effective in Lowell with a 86-88 fastball and should be in back in Greenville in 2008.

Armando Zerpa and Manuel Rivera are two young Latin relievers with a lot of promise. Zerpa a 20 yrs Venezuelan withan 91-92 fastball was very good in the GCL his first year playing in the states and could play in Greenville in 2008, but more likely in Lowell. Rivera a 18 yrs Dominican was outstanding as a joint closer in the DSL in his first year as a pro, however scouts feel that Rivera who has a low 90's fastball may project better as a starter, Rivera may play in the GCL in 2008, but most likely go back to the DSL.