August 3, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Kevin Steen promoted to Lowell
The Red Sox have promoted right-handed pitcher Kevin Steen to the Short Season A Lowell Spinners. The 2014 ninth-round pick has been announced as the starting pitcher for Lowell's game on Monday against Brooklyn at LeLacheur Park.
Steen, 19, was given a $255,000 bonus out of Oak Hill (TN) High School to sign him away from a commitment for the University of Tennessee. He appeared in three games for the GCL Red Sox last season and was assigned there again to start 2015. He got off to a very strong start, going 18 innings without allowing an earned run to begin the year. Through 24 2/3 innings across six appearances, Steen has posted a 1.82 ERA and 0.892 ERA, striking out 24 and walking only four. Gulf Coast League opponents have hit just .189/.238/.305 on the season. Steen is also a finalist for the SoxProspects.com July Pitcher of the Month after posting a 2.70 ERA and an 18-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
To make room for Steen's promotion, left-hander Luis Ramos will move up from Lowell to Low A Greenville. Ramos, 20, has a 4.89 ERA in 38 2/3 innings, striking out 29 against nine walks. Ramos is in his fourth season with the Red Sox organization after signing in 2012 as an international free agent out of Panama.
Photo Credit: Kevin Steen by Kelly O'Connor