April 8, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Red Sox make final spring cuts, release eight minor leaguers
Prior to the open of the minor league season, the Red Sox released right-handed pitchers Alexander Mateo and Dennis Neuman, left-handed pitcher John Killen, catcher Josue Peley, second basemen Drew Dominguez and Brad Emaus as well as outfielders Mitch Dening and Jorge Padron. We reported most of these cuts via Twitter over the past ten days, and all were recently confirmed by Baseball America.
Mateo, 20, originally signed as an international free agent in 2007 and spent his first three seasons as a member of the Dominican Summer League Red Sox. In 2011, he appeared in 20 games as a member of the Rookie-Gulf Coast League Red Sox, compiling a 6.89 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched.
Neuman, 22, originally signed with Boston as an international free agent in 2006. The right-hander's best season came as a member of the Low A Greenville Drive in 2010 as he recorded a 2.95 ERA and 14 saves in 43 relief appearances.
Killen, 21, was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the 43rd round of the 2008 amateur draft but did not sign. He joined the organization as a free agent in August of 2010, appearing in just 17 games the past two seasons for the GCL Red Sox.
Peley, 24, was traded to Boston in May of 2010 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for outfielder Jonathan Van Every. Peley played sparingly as a backup catcher with Short-Season A Lowell, Low A Greenville, High A Salem and Double-A Portland during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Dominguez, 25, was signed as an undrafted free agent in June of 2009. The second baseman saw limited action as a reserve player with Lowell, Greenville, Salem and Portland during the past two seasons.
Emaus, 26, was acquired from the Colorado Rockies this offseason in exchange for cash considerations. Emaus was selected by the New York Mets in the 2010 Rule 5 draft and made his major league debut in 2011, recording 6 hits in 32 at-bats.
Dening, 23, was signed as an international free agent in 2005. His best season in the organization came in 2008 as a member of the Lowell Spinners, hitting .321/.375/.471 with 3 home runs and 20 RBI in 62 games. He spent the 2011 season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, hitting .220/.303/.352 with 6 home runs and 36 RBI.
Padron, 25, was signed as an international free agent in March of 2010. He split both the 2010 and 2011 seasons between High A Salem and Double-A Portland, hitting .260/.315/.352 with 8 home runs and 91 RBI in 205 career contests.