Weekly Notes: June 22nd

This week's minor league notes:

Jackie Bradley Jr. (Kelly O'Connor)

• The post-draft chips continued to fall into place this week as Deven Marrero officially signed for $2.05 million and was introduce at Fenway on Wednesday. Marrero spoke openly about his excitement to be part of east coast baseball and begin his career with the Short-Season-A Lowell Spinners. 

• Another important draft signing was that of fourth round selection, right-hander Ty Buttrey for $1.3 million. Buttrey was believed to be a tough sign out of Providence High School (NC). He has yet to be assigned to a team after his signing. Read more about Buttrey and other recent Red Sox draft signings in  SoxProspects Executive Editor Chris Hatfield's First Take column. 

• Salem teammates Xander Bogaerts and Matt Barnes were selected to take part in this year's Major League Baseball Futures Game, which is held before the annual summer classic in July. 

• Travis Shaw took home MVP honors as he went 1 for 2 in the Carolina League All-Star game, lifting the Carolina League to a 9-1 victory over the California League. Jackie Bradley was 0 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI while Bogaerts finished the contest 0 for 2. Following the game, Bradley was promoted to Double-A Portland. 

• On the same evening as the Carolina League All-Star game, Garin Cecchini and Miguel Pena took part in the South Atlantic League All-Star game. Cecchini was 0 for 2 and Pena tossed an inning of scoreless relief. 

• Ryan Kalish finally made his return to the big leagues this week after outfielder Ryan Sweeney was placed on the disabled list. Kalish impressed in his short rehab stint, hitting .378 with four home runs for Triple-A Pawtucket. 

• Kalish and Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks officially graduated from prospect status today. SoxProspects new rankings has Matt Barnes the top prospect in the Red Sox system, closely followed by Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley. 

Deven Marrero (Matt Stone, Boston Herald)

• A sight that Red Sox fans have been eagerly awaiting may soon come true. Manager Bobby Valentine indicated that outfielder Carl Crawford may begin his rehab assignment this Sunday as the designated hitter for the Rookie-Gulf Coast League Red Sox. 

• In other injury news, shortstop Jose Iglesias could begin a rehab assignment shortly with the Lowell Spinners. Iglesias has been out of action since May 25 with a stiff back. 

• WEEI's Alex Speier reports that the Red Sox are close to signing supplemental first round selection, left-hander Brian Johnson and his teammate, third round selection right-hander Austin Maddox.

• Lowell and the GCL Red Sox both began their seasons this week. The Spinners are off to a quick 3-1 start after taking three out of four from the Connecticut Tigers (DET). The GCL Sox have won their last two contests after dropping their first two. SoxProspects Northeast Scout Ian Cundall had a chance to follow Williams Jerez and disect the prospect's game. 

John Gray is a Senior Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnRGray.

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