May 21, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Bevy of minor league outfielders promoted
SoxProspects.com has confirmed that a string of outfielders have been promoted up a level in the Red Sox minor league system:
- Che-Hsuan Lin from Portland to Pawtucket,
- Jeremy Hazelbaker from Salem to Portland,
- Bryce Brentz from Greenville to Salem, and
- Henry Ramos from extended spring training to Greenville.
Lin, 22, spent all of 2010 with Portland, posting a triple slash line of .275/.386/.343. Though he was only batting .268 in 138 at-bats this season with the Sea Dogs, he continued to show the excellent patience he has exhibited throughout his career with a .373 OBP. Lin is best known for his all-around above-average defensive tools, including excellent range and a rocket arm. However, the lack of power he has shown through the years is a concern as he has trouble squaring anything up for hard hits.
The promotion of Hazelbaker is a bit earlier than anticipated by many after he spent the entire year in Low-A Greenville last season, batting .267 with 63 steals. However, the 23-year-old was said to have come into camp this spring in great shape and has not had much trouble adjusting to High-A this season with an .864 OPS to go along with 5 homers and 12 stolen bases. He needs to work on cutting down the strikeout totals in order to continue to progress.
Brentz was considered on the old side for the South Atlantic League after being drafted out of college last year. He scuffled in his first professional season with Lowell, but Brentz quickly showed he was too advanced for Low-A ball this season to the tune of a 1.061 OPS and 11 round-trippers. Salem will be the first real test for Brentz and provide followers with a glimpse of what type of prospect he will be moving forward.
An aggressive promotion for Ramos, the Puerto Rican 19-year-old is likely still learning the basics of the game as he was drafted more on the basis of his athletic ability than what he showed in his limited time on a baseball field before last year's draft. Despite focusing on soccer before entering the system, Ramos got off to a fast start with the GCL Red Sox, and received a late season promotion to Lowell. He has a very high upside, with big power potential, and over the course of this season his prospect status will begin to become more clear with the developmental steps forward he is able to take.
The promotion of Hazelbaker is a bit earlier than anticipated by many after he spent the entire year in Low-A Greenville last season, batting .267 with 63 steals. However, the 23-year-old was said to have come into camp this spring in great shape and has not had much trouble adjusting to High-A this season with an .864 OPS to go along with 5 homers and 12 stolen bases. He needs to work on cutting down the strikeout totals in order to continue to progress.
Brentz was considered on the old side for the South Atlantic League after being drafted out of college last year. He scuffled in his first professional season with Lowell, but Brentz quickly showed he was too advanced for Low-A ball this season to the tune of a 1.061 OPS and 11 round-trippers. Salem will be the first real test for Brentz and provide followers with a glimpse of what type of prospect he will be moving forward.
An aggressive promotion for Ramos, the Puerto Rican 19-year-old is likely still learning the basics of the game as he was drafted more on the basis of his athletic ability than what he showed in his limited time on a baseball field before last year's draft. Despite focusing on soccer before entering the system, Ramos got off to a fast start with the GCL Red Sox, and received a late season promotion to Lowell. He has a very high upside, with big power potential, and over the course of this season his prospect status will begin to become more clear with the developmental steps forward he is able to take.