May 31, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Kalish promoted to Pawtucket
According to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald, Ryan Kalish has been promoted to Pawtucket. Portland manager Arnie Beyeler indicated on today's NESN broadcast of the Sea Dogs' game against New Britain that the 22-year-old outfielder was ready to take the next step, and the front office agreed, making the call after Kalish went 2 for 4 with a double and 3 runs scored in a 10-6 win Monday afternoon. In a related move, infielder Ryan Khoury who was on the disabled list in Pawtucket, was sent to Portland, effectively switching roster spots with Kalish.
Kalish, ranked 3rd in the SoxProspects.com rankings, has been on a tear of late, hitting .432 over his last 10 games. Since returning to the lineup Friday after nursing a bruised forearm and a tweaked hip muscle, Kalish is an incredible 10 for 16 with 2 home runs, 6 RBI, and 7 runs scored. On Saturday, he was 5 for 5 with a double and a three-run home run.
On the season, he has posted a line of .292/.404/.527 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI in 41 games. His team-leading .931 OPS is good for 6th in the Eastern League, while he also ranked in the top-5 in walks and stolen bases. SoxProspects.com's Director of Scouting Chris Mellen filed an in-depth scouting report on Kalish earlier this season in The Book, correctly noting that Kalish looked "like a player that is about to go on an extended stretch of producing solid contact in the Eastern League, as he is well balanced, in control of his at-bats, and most importantly comfortable in the batter’s box."
After batting .304 in 32 games with High-A Salem to start the 2009 season, Kalish earned a promotion to Double-A and struggled out of the gate, but rebounded to hit .271 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI and an OPS of .781.
A 6th-round pick in the 2006 Draft, Kalish split time that season between the Gulf Coast League and Lowell before spending the entire 2007 season with the Spinners. After performing well in 2008 with Greenville, Kalish earned a late-season promotion to High-A, where he started the next season before joining Portland in May. Kalish was hampered through part of the 2007 and 2008 season by a wrist injury, but has seen his power numbers improve since becoming healthy. He has also improved his plate discipline since joining the organization.
Khoury, who was sent to Portland, hit .244 in 45 at bats this season for Pawtucket. A 12th-round pick in the 2006 Draft, Khoury spent the last two seasons in Portland.