Minor Notes: Poyner optioned to Pawtucket, Wright leaves start due to injury

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• In the latest Notes from the Field, SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall featured two Greenville relievers in Brendan Nail and Devon Fisher.

• Cundall also detailed how the organization signed several older Latin American arms early in the 2017-18 signing period to smaller bonuses due to the Red Sox being banned from signing international free agents in the 2016-17 signing period. Cundall gave an in-depth look into four of those international signees. 
  

• Bobby Poyner  (pictured) was activated from the major league disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday. He pitched seven innings with the Red Sox this season, sporting a 2.57 ERA with eight hits and eight strikeouts. Poyner pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Saturday for the PawSox in his second rehab assignment for a left hamstring strain before his activation. 

• The PawSox had quite the come-from-behind win in extra innings on Sunday, plating four runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to claim a 10-9 walk-off win over the Gwinett Stripers. Mike Miller's RBI single scored Aneury Tavarez in a wild contest.

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Notes from the Field: 2017-2018 International Signees and more

At the end of March, the SoxProspects Staff made their annual trip to Minor League Spring Training. Over the next few weeks their notes and observations will be featured on SoxProspects News. Here is the sixth edition of Notes from the Field from Spring Training 2018 highlighting two more Greenville relievers and several 2017 international signees.

Though he went undrafted out of Western Carolina as a junior last year, left-hander Brendan Nail signed for $125,000 after a strong Cape Cod League season, that mark significantly representing the most the Red Sox could pay him without his bonus counting toward its draft signing bonus cap. Nail has an average frame and starts on the first base side of the rubber. He throws exclusively from the stretch from a high three-quarters arm slot with short arm action behind. He does a good job hiding the ball with his body and was tough for hitters to pick up, especially left-handers. 

Nail’s stuff does not stand out, however, so command and deception are how he will have to succeed. His fastball sat 86-89 mph and showed cut. He mixed in a breaking ball at 75-80 mph that looked like a curveball at lower velocities and more like a slider when thrown harder. 

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Cup of Coffee: Tavarez, Dalbec lead way in extras

4/23 Cup of Coffee: All four affiliates were in action Sunday, with two games apiece fitting into opposite extremes. Pawtucket and Salem both won thrilling back-and-forth contests in extra innings, with Aneury Tavarez (pictured) and Bobby Dalbec playing outsized roles in the victories of their respective teams. On the opposite end were Portland and Greenville, for whom nothing seemed to go right and the offense of both squads managed just one run on two hits.

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Pawtucket Red Sox 10, Gwinnett Stripers (ATL) 9

In a wild back-and-forth contest, that featured a triple play, Pawtucket scored four times in the bottom of the 11th to race with a victory at McCoy Stadium. Aneury Tavarez played a key role in the win, ripping his second double off the day to tie the contest at nine, and then scoring the winning run on a Mike Miller base hit. Taverez was 3 for 5 in all, driving in two and scoring two. Catcher Mike Ohlman also had a two-run double in the 11th as part of his 2-for-5 afternoon. In a rare feat in such a high-scoring affair, William Cuevas actually turned in a quality start. He allowed eight hits in his six innings of work but was able to pitch out of jams, surrendering only two runs. 

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Cup of Coffee: Beeks reels in Stripers to continue scoreless stretch

4/22 Cup of Coffee: By helping the PawSox to a 6-0 victory over the Stripers, Jalen Beeks (pictured, left) picked up his first win of the season while extending his streak of not allowing an earned run to 13-consecutive innings. Rusney Castillo scored two runs in the win as the PawSox climbed over the .500 mark with a 7-6 overall record. The other three teams in the system all lost as both the Sea Dogs and Red Sox squandered solid starting pitching performances while Alex Scherff  and the Drive continued their struggles.

Pawtucket Red Sox 6, Gwinnett Stripers (ATL) 0

Jalen Beeks continued his impressive start to the season by striking out 10 in six innings of work to lead the PawSox to a shutout win over the Stripers. The left-hander, a 12th round draft pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2014, lowered his ERA to 0.64 after allowing just two hits on 98 pitches. Bobby Poyner, Brandon Workman, and Williams Jerez tossed an inning apiece of scoreless relief to preserve the shutout.  

The PawSox made good use of their six hits as Rusney Castillo was the lone player with multiple base hits, going 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Dan Butler added a double and three walks to the offensive tally. The PawSox were up 2-0 after the first inning before pouring on four runs in the bottom half of the eighth.

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Cup of Coffee: Wright makes first rehab appearance, Olt and Travis lead Pawtucket's rally

4/21 Cup of Coffee: Steven Wright's rehab appearance did not go as planned as the right-hander had to leave early due to a back injury, but Pawtucket stayed in the game and won thanks to strong nights from Mike Olt (pictured) and Sam Travis. Mike Shawaryn turned in a quality start for the Sea Dogs while Bryan Mata's control issues continued in Salem. 

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Pawtucket Red Sox 5, Gwinnett Stripers (ATL) 4, 11 innings

A walk-off double from Mike Olt capped an impressive PawSox comeback. Steven Wright, who underwent left knee surgery last May, made his first rehab appearance but it was cut short due to a stiff back. He had gone the first 2 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on two hits. Josh Smith followed by striking out six over 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball, and Ryan Brasier picked up his first win of the season with two scoreless innings.

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Cup of Coffee: Ockimey grand slam leads Sea Dogs

4/20 Cup of Coffee: It was a welcome sight at Portland, as Josh Ockimey (pictured) cleared the bases for his first home run of the year as part of a three-hit night to propel Portland to this win. Tanner Houck struggled in his third start of the season, while Greenville fell against Kannapolis desipte a big night from Michael Osinski.

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Portland Sea Dogs 5, Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 0

Two days after making his 2018 debut, Josh Ockimey capped a big afternoon with a 411-foot grand slam for his first homer of the season to propel the Sea Dogs. It was the third hit of the day for Ockimey, who missed the first 10 games of the season with a minor hamstring injury. Cole Sturgeon and Esteban Quiroz have been the offensive catalysts in the early going for Portland, and both contributed on Thursday. The day after his hitting streak ended at nine games, Sturgeon doubled, walked, and scored a pair. Quiroz ripped an RBI double, his seventh extra-base hit in 12 games. 

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Minor Notes: Ockimey activated, more spring scouting notes

Here are Thursday's minor league notes:

• In the latest Notes from the Field, SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall covered Hunter Haworth, Lukas Young, and Angel Padron. The three Greenville pitchers are all getting their first taste of full-season ball, with Young and Padron off to strong starts. 

• Cundall followed that up with another article focusing on some of the system's younger arms, with Juan Florentino, Andres Jimenez, Oddanier Mosqueda, and Edilson Batista all showing some intrigue. 

• Ninth-ranked prospect Josh Ockimey (pictured, right) was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday and made his season debut for the Portland Sea Dogs. 

• A trio of catchers were on the move early in the week as Isaias Lucena was called up to Portland from Greenville to fill in for Jordan Procyshen who was placed on the disabled list.  Charlie Madden was activated off the disabled list for Greenville to replace Lucena. 

• In keeping with the catching theme, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com caught up with Red Sox minor league catching coordinator Chad Epperson, and they discussed Roldani Baldwin, Jhon Nunez, Samuel Miranda and Austin Rei.

• With the minor league rules continuing to change, the effect on the players is starting to come out. Some players on the Drive have expressed their frustration with the new mound visit rules to Jim Rice of the Greenville News.

• Brandon Moss returned to Portland on Wednesday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Portland's first home game. After making his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2007, Moss has played parts of 11 years in the big leagues, though he is currently a free agent. 

• Moss was also honored by being named to the Portland Sea Dogs All-Time Team, which includes the team's time as an affiliate of the Marlins and Red Sox. Joining him on the team is Charles Johnson, Kevin Millar, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Hanley Ramirez, Andrew Benintendi, Jacoby Ellsbury, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, and Daniel Bard, with Carlos Tosca as the manager. 

Photo Credit: Josh Ockimey by Kelly O'Connor

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Notes from the Field: Juan Florentino, Oddainer Mosqueda and more

At the end of March, the SoxProspects Staff made their annual trip to Minor League Spring Training. Over the next few weeks their notes and observations will be featured on SoxProspects News. Here is the fifth edition of Notes from the Field from Spring Training 2018 taking a look at four more young arms.

Dominican right-hander Juan Florentino was one of the bullpen standouts in the lower minors last year, putting up a 0.96 ERA with 25 strikeouts to only 2 walks in 18 2/3 innings in Lowell, them moving up to Greenville and posting a 2.12 ERA and 18 strikeouts to 4 walks in 17 innings in Greenville. Last year, Florentino’s fastball sat 93-95 mph, but this spring his velocity was down to 89-91 mph. The drop in velocity may have been because this look was in a simulated game, so he may not have had the same adrenaline as he would if he were facing opposing hitters. Alternatively, he may have been working on his secondary pitches and fastball command and wasn’t airing it out. However, that he was placed back in Greenville to start the 2018 season after a very successful stint in Low A last year—plus that his partner-in-crime in Joan Martinez, who similarly dominated the two levels with Florentino, did receive a promotion to Salem—suggests that perhaps the velocity drop was consistent, and his performance this season in this relatively conservative placement bears watching.

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Cup of Coffee: Haley punches out seven, Rivera just short of the cycle

4/19 Cup of Coffee: It was a rough day for the Red Sox minor league system, as the four teams each took a loss. Jeremy Rivera (pictured) led the system with four RBI, while Justin Haley had a strong outing for Pawtucket.

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Columbus Clippers (CLE) 2, Pawtucket Red Sox 0

Sam Travis and Jantzen Witte each had two-hit outings, but Pawtucket was shut out despite getting two in scoring position in the ninth inning. Justin Haley allowed just four hits in 6 1/3 innings, but his throwing error with one down in the sixth put a runner on third, allowing a sacrifice fly to become the difference. Haley struck out seven and walked one. Ty Buttrey pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings with four strikeouts as well. Travis now has five consecutive multi-hit performances.

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Cup of Coffee: Sturgeon buoys Portland with six hits

4/18 Cup of Coffee: While the major league squad was beginning a west coast swing, the minor league affiliates stepped up to fill the primetime slot in the schedule. Pawtucket split a doubleheader against a New England rival, with Cole Sturgeon (pictured) picking up six hits on the day. A trio of relievers tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings to boost Pawtucket, while a Tyler Hill triple was the key hit in a Salem comeback.

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Pawtucket Red Sox 4, Columbus Clippers (CLE) 3

PawSox mainstay Dan Butler led the way on Tuesday, ripping a pair of doubles and driving in two as part of a 3-for-4 evening. Sam Travis notched his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, going 2 for 3 with a walk. Chandler Shepherd allowed three runs on eight hits on 3 2/3 innings of work, but was able to miss bats, striking out five against only one walk. 

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Notes from the Field: New Greenville Arms

At the end of March, the SoxProspects Staff made their annual trip to Minor League Spring Training. Over the next few weeks their notes and observations will be featured on SoxProspects News. Here is the fourth edition of Notes from the Field from Spring Training 2018 taking a look at three pitchers who were assigned to Greenville to start the season.

2017 22nd-round pick Hunter Haworth only threw in six games in the Gulf Coast League in his pro debut, but showed enough in Spring Training that he will be making the jump to Greenville to open the 2018 season in the Drive’s rotation. Haworth threw four innings in a simulated game at the complex on Sunday, showing off a four-pitch mix.

Haworth has a strong pitcher’s frame, listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He looks the part on the mound and has minimal remaining projection. Haworth starts on the first base side and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. His delivery has some effort, including a stab in back. He gets good plane on his fastball, throwing the pitch 89-91 mph. He did leave one up in the zone that was hit for a home run, but otherwise was effective with the pitch. 

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Cup of Coffee: Olt powers PawSox, Scherff shaky for Drive

4/17 Cup of Coffee: Of the PawSox nine hits in a victory over the Clippers, Mike Olt had four of them in a 4-for-4 showing. Two innings of scoreless and hitless relief got Kyle Martin the win while shaky pitching performances from starters Roniel Raudes and Alex Scherff resulted in losses for both Salem and Greenville.  

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Pawtucket Red Sox 9, Columbus Clippers (CLE) 6

The PawSox mustered nine hits and took advantage of three Colombus errors en route to their fourth victory of the year. Sam Travis, Ivan De Jesus Jr., and Mike Olt  (pictured, below) combined for eight of Pawtucket's nine hits, though Mike Miller made sure his lone hit counted for something as he launched a solo home run. Travis also added a home run as part of a 2-for-5 evening, but it was Olt who put on a real show, going 4 for 4 with three doubles and a home run. The offense bailed out a shaky start from William Cuevas, who allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in just four innings of work. Robby Scott allowed the final run Columbus run, and Ryan Brasier notched the save with two scoreless innings.

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Hartford Yard Goats at Portland Sea Dogs, postponed

The Sea Dogs' contest against Hartford was postponed due to rain. The contest will be made up today, as part of a single-admission doubleheader.

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Minor Notes: Ball moves to the bullpen; Greenville celebrates title

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press-Herald wrote about Trey Ball (pictured, right), who moved to the bullpen in Portland this year after trying to make it work as a starter.

• Sam Travis has seen time in the outfield with Pawtucket in an attempt to have a better shot at breaking into the Major Leagues. His start in left field on April 11 was his first non-first base start since being drafted. John Wagner had the story for MiLB.com on Monday.

• Greenville won the South Atlantic League title this year and celebrated that team in front of over 6,000 fans on Thursday. Jonathan Duty of the Greenville News wrote about the festivities.

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Cup of Coffee: Mata walks six in only game of the day

4/16 Cup of Coffee: It was a light day on Sunday as Pawtucket, Portland, and Greenville were all rained out. Salem was shut out and Bryan Mata walked six in only four innings as he picked up his first loss of the year.

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Pawtucket Red Sox @ Toledo Mud Hens (DET), PPD (inclement weather)

The PawSox game in Toledo was postponed due to heavy rain, and the game will be made up in Pawtucket as part of a doubleheader on April 23. 

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Cup of Coffee: Shawaryn stands out in first Double-A victory

4/15 Cup of Coffee: Two of the Red Sox’ top-four pitching prospects were on the hill on Saturday as Mike Shawaryn was impressive in the Sea Dogs’ win while Tanner Houck flashed a fastball that hit 94 MPH for Salem. Three of the four clubs in action were blanked on the scoreboard as the Sea Dogs were the lone squad to put up runs. Cole Sturgeon, Esteban Quiroz, and Tate Matheny all continue to impress at the plate, with the trio collecting two hits apiece in the victory for the Sea Dogs.

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Toledo Mud Hens (DET) 4, Pawtucket Red Sox 0 

Sam Travis collected two of the PawSox three hits while Jalen Beeks took his first loss of the season on the mound in a shutout defeat to the Mud Hens. Travis went 2 for 4 with a double and Beeks went four innings deep, allowing four hits, three runs (none earned) and striking out eight to lower his ERA to 1.13. It marked the second straight start of striking out eight batters for the left-hander, a 12th round draft pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2014.

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