Weekly Notes: Suarez shines in Dominican, Gomez continues strong impressions

This week's minor league notes:

• The deadline for 2012 draftees to sign came and went last Friday without any major surprises or last minute signings. SoxProspects.com Edior-in-Chief, Mike Andrews, recapped the 2012 draft and touched on some of the key players who went unsigned. 

• One late signing for the Red Sox was 16th round selection, right-hander Stephen Williams. The 19-year-old pitcher out of Seminole State has a live fastball that has been clocked up to 95 mph. In 2012, Williams went 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 23 relief appearances. 

• SoxProspects.com Senior Columnist Jon Meoli caught up with Salem Red Sox outfielder Brandon Jacobs and discussed his recovery from a hamate injury earlier this season. 

• Justin Germano, who had a stellar spot start for Boston on July 7 against the New York Yankees and was designated for assignment on Friday, was traded to the Chicago Cubs yesterday for cash considerations. The 29-year-old right-hander had put together a very good season with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 9-4 with a 2.40 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). 

• 2010 first round selection Kolbrin Vitek began his rehab this week, seeing the field for the first time since May 21. Vitek went 3 for 11 in four games for the GCL Red Sox and was 1 for 4 with a double last evening for the Lowell Spinners. Vitek should be ready to make his return to Double-A Portland shortly, coming back to a .252/.302/.338 line. 

• The DSL All-Star game took place on Sunday, and the Red Sox were well represented with Alixon Suarez (pictured), Manuel Margot and Keivin Heras all participating. Suarez shared MVP honors for his two-run double in his lone at-bat of the game. 

• Two right-handed relievers were released from the organization this week, Chorye Spoone and Leandro Marin. Spoone had been having a successful season with Triple-A Pawtucket, compiling a 2.79 ERA in 14 outings while Marin struggled in nine outings for Lowell after missing all of 2011 due to injury. 

• Mauro Gomez has been shuffling back and forth between Pawtucket and Boston recently due to injuries to David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks. The 27-year-old has impressed at both levels, collecting mine hits in 30 at-bats at the major league level and hitting .317/.371/.634 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI at the Triple-A level. Gomez currently is second in the International League in doubles, average and OPS. 

• After initially struggling to begin his professional career this year with Lowell, first baseman Nathan Minnich was assigned to the GCL Red Sox and has caught fire, collecting six hits and eight RBI in 14 at-bats.

• One of the brightest spots thus far this season for the Spinners is 22-year-old right-hander Francisco Taveras. Taveras has served as long relief out of the bullpen and has compiled a 2.05 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched. 

Photo credits: Alixon Suarez by fanaticodigital.net.


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

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