Webster, De La Rosa lead Pawtucket roster

Right-handers Allen Webster (pictured) and Rubby De La Rosa - who were both acquired in a trade with the Dodgers last summer - will reunite when they join the Pawtucket Red Sox to start the 2013 season as the team announced at their media day today. They are the highest ranked players on the PawSox roster according to the SoxProspects.com rankings, coming in fourth and fifth respectively. 

Both Webster and De La Rosa had strong springs, but will start the year on different paths. Webster will start the second game for the PawSox, but De La Rosa will begin the year on two inning stints with Graham Godfrey to follow and act as piggyback pitcher. De La Rosa's workload will be monitored closely as to he continues to work his way back from 2011 Tommy John surgery.

There is lots of depth at Triple-A awaiting potential opportunities at the major league level. Ryan Lavarnway has seen time with the major league club each of the past two years, but both he and backup catcher Dan Butler are currently blocked by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross. Likewise right-hander Alex Wilson is blocked by a deep and talented bullpen, but after his conversion to the pen last year he is likely not in need of much more development time before being major league ready.

The PawSox decided to only carry four outfielders, including SoxProspects.com's sixth ranked prospect Bryce Brentz. Brentz was passed this spring on the outfield depth chart by Jackie Bradley, who made headlines by making the major league roster despite not spending any time with Pawtucket. Brentz skill set is quite different with above-average power but improvement needed with his approach, which is the main area he will focus on during his time at Triple-A.

The one surprise inclusion is 26 year-old Brandon Snyder who had been in camp with the Texas Rangers but was released at the end of spring training. He was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Orioles, and can play left-field, first base, and third base. The fact that both Snyder and Mark Hamilton can play some left field is likely the reason the PawSox only have four pure outfielders on the roster.

The roster stands currently at 26 and therefore a roster move will be made before opening day. The complete roster is as follows:

Pitchers: Pedro Beato, Chris Carpenter, Anthony Carter, Rubby De La Rosa, Jose De La Torre, Terry Doyle, Graham Godfrey, Chris Hernandez, Jeremy Kehrt, Oscar Villareal, Allen Webster, Alex Wilson, Stephen Wright

Catchers: Dan Butler, Ryan Lavarnway

Infielders: Jonathan Diaz, Mark Hamilton, Jon Hee, Justin Henry, Brock Holt, Brandon Snyder, Drew Sutton

Outfielders: Bryce Brentz, Alex Hassan, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Juan Carlos Linares

Photo Credit: Allen Webster by Kelly O'Connor

Will Woodward is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.

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