Fort Report: Spring training draws to a close

Here are the minor league notes for the last week of spring training:

• SoxProspects.com's Editor-in-Chief Mike Andrews released the penultimate edition of his five-part series on ESPNBoston examining the depth in the farm system position-by-position. This week's focus was on an area where the Red Sox appear to be limited: the corner infield positions. 
• Jackie Bradley Jr. (pictured) has certainly placed himself on the fast track to the majors with play this spring.  Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains how Bradley's baseball education aided with his placement on that expedited track.
• Speier has coverage on another high-ceiling prospect in Henry Owens, who had a video game-like performance in a intrasquad game this week. Owens will likely join Salem to start the season.
• Though in minor-league camp, Allen Webster showed major-league potential in his latest outing, writes SoxProspects.com Senior Columnist Jon Meoli. Webster struck out 14 and walked one in 11 innings pitched in Grapefruit League games.
• SoxProspects.com Managing Editor Matt Huegel caught up with Cody Kukuk, who's seeking redemption and experience after his 2012 season was shortened due to a May 13 DUI charge, which was later dropped.
• Ian Cundall, SoxProspects.com's Northeast Scout, wrote two Scouting Scratches this week based on his time in Fort Myers, focusing on three members of the 2012 draft class and Anthony Ranaudo's start last Saturday. 
• Ranaudo suffered an abbreviated 2012 campaign by virtue of groin and shoulder issues. He appears ready to rebound this year after adding some extra weight and velocity, as MassLive.com's Evan Drellich writes. 
• Drellich also confirmed Scout.com's Kiley McDonald's report that the Red Sox are targeting Rafael Devers, a 16-year-old third baseman from the Dominican Republic who could potentially receive a 1 million dollar bonus from Boston once international free agency begins on July 2. McDonald also has a scouting report, including some video, on Devers.
• Red Sox Triple-A Rule 5 selection Jack McGeary, who is a Boston native and former high-ceiling prospect, was interviewed by SoxProspects.com's Digital Correspondent Jonathan Singer.  He has had an interesting career path, playing professional ball while attending college then getting set back by injuries.
• The SoxProspect.com community has voted for its preseason All-Stars, the players at each position expected to have the best seasons. Check out our write-up on the winners.
• Josh Fields has officially made the Houston Astros' roster, according to Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle. Thus, the 27-year-old will not be returning to Boston after he was selected number one overall in December's Rule 5 draft. Fields has surrendered three runs,walked seven and struck out nine in 10 2/3 innings with the Astros this spring.
• Ryan Pressly, who was also selected from Boston in this year's Rule 5 draft, continues to impress this spring and is a top bullpen candidate for the Minnesota Twins, writes Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. In 13 2/3 innings with the Twins this spring, Pressly has struck out six and walk four while allowing just one run.
• With Opening Day right around the corner, a slew of roster moves were made this week. Xander Bogaerts, Jonathan Diaz, Drew Sutton, Jose De La Torre and Anthony Carter were reassigned to minor-league camp. Mauro Gomez and Ryan Lavarnway were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, while Daniel Bard was optioned to Double-A Portland.

Photo Credit: Jackie Bradley Jr. by Kelly O'Connor 

Kevin Pereira is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevinrpereira.

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