March 25, 2013 at 8:28 PM
Bogaerts highlights latest group assigned to minor league camp
The Red Sox today continued to trim their roster as opening day quickly approaches, sending infielders Xander Bogaerts (pictured), Jonathan Diaz, and Drew Sutton to minor league camp. The moves leave the Red Sox with 39 players in big league camp.
Bogaerts, widely regarded as the Red Sox top prospect, spent the majority of his spring with Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. In the WBC, Bogaerts was 5 for 19 with an RBI in seven contests. In five Grapefruit League games, the 20-year-old went 2 for 7 with an RBI. Bogaerts figures to start the season with Double-A Portland where he hit .326/.351/.598 with five home runs and seven RBI in 23 games last season.
Diaz, 27, will most likely open the season as Triple-A Pawtucket's starting second baseman. In 22 games this spring, Diaz went 6 for 25 with two doubles and three RBI. He spent the majority of last season with Triple-A Las Vegas in the Toronto Blue Jays system, hitting .240/.374/.317 with three home runs and 31 RBI in 95 games.
Sutton, who rejoined the Red Sox this offseason as a minor league free agent, will most likely join Diaz in the Pawtucket starting infield at third base. The 29-year-old appeared in 21 games this spring, going 9 for 35 with two RBI and six runs scored.
Photo Credit: Xander Bogaerts by Kelly O'Connor.
John Gray is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnRGray.