Weekly Notes: Sox quiet at deadline, Owens called up

Here are this week's minor league notes:

• There was a lot of talk this past week about the Red Sox possibly using their prospects to trade for a starting pitcher, but it didn't happen, and the farm system remains intact.
• SoxProspects.com's fifth-ranked prospect, Henry Owens, was called up to Boston yesterday after the Red Sox game. He has a 3.16 ERA this year with Pawtucket and will make his major league debut tomorrow in Yankee Stadium.
• Matt Huegel of SoxPropects.com recently wrote a story on the improvement of Garin Cecchini over the past few weeks. Cecchini put up big numbers in the minor leagues until last season. His batting average was below the Mendoza line for a majority of the season, but he is now batting .220 after a hot stretch. He has also had to deal with adjusting to left field, along with playing some games at third, first, and designated hitter.
• David Lee of The Augusta Chronicle took some scouting notes on what he saw with some Greenville Drive players during their series against the GreenJackets from July 22-24.
• Josh Norris of Baseball America was able to take in a game between the GCL Red Sox and GCL Orioles with SoxProspects.com's number seven prospect Anderson Espinoza on the hill. He showed very well, living in the upper 90's with his fastball. He also showed great secondary stuff.
• SoxProspects.com's 14th ranked prospect Travis Shaw (pictured, above) was called up to Boston again on August 1. He did not disappoint, going 4 for 4 with a double and two home runs. He became the first Red Sox player with at least two home runs and five runs scored in a single game since Walt Dropo in 1950. He also played on Sunday, collecting a pair of singles. He played third base in both games. Christopher Smith of Masslive.com wrote about Shaw's value.
• Longtime Red Sox president and CEO Larry Luccino has decided to step down. However, his role with the PawSox will not change according to The Boston Herald. He is still focused on moving the team to Providence.
• On July 30, right-hander Jonathan Aro was called back up to Boston for his second stint with the club this year. In the process, left-hander Tommy Layne was optioned back down to Pawtucket.
• Yoan Moncada is still raking, and Christopher Smith of Masslive.com wrote about how Moncada turned his season around in the second half. He's now hitting .283/.378/.434 with five homers and 25 stolen bases for the Greenville Drive.
• Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com wrote about what it's like to be traded as a top prospect. He spoke with Hanley Ramirez, who was a former Red Sox top prospect who was dealt for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. He also spoke to Eduardo Rodriguez, who was dealt to Boston at last year's deadline for Andrew Miller. He also wrote about 2013 first round pick Trey Ball and how the Red Sox are being patient with the left-hander. Finally, he mentioned Pat Light, and Red Sox minor league pitching coordinator Ralph Treuel still thinks he could be an effective closer despite his poor numbers this year with Pawtucket.
• Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal also wrote about Pat Light, saying he hopes his struggles are behind him. He mentioned that Light is working with the Red Sox mental-skills coach Bob Tewksbury, and that has helped him a lot.
• The Greenville Drive got to play on national television this past week on the CBS Sports Network. Staff writer Eric Gendron recapped the game in the Cup of Coffee. Chaz Fiorino of SoxProspects.com also posted some videos from the game on Twitter. Give him a follow and check out some of his videos of top prospects, like this one of Michael Chavis hitting a home run.
• Josh Gutchess of The Boston Globe wrote about the impressive power of top prospect Rafael Devers. He is just 18-years old, but has 10 home runs for Greenville. He also wrote about 19-year old shortstop Javier Guerra, who has been great defensively and has put up surprising power numbers with 13 long balls.
• Michael Vega of The Boston Globe wrote about Marco Hernandez and his hot start with Pawtucket. He spoke with PawSox manager Kevin Boles, who thinks he could be a major league player. He also mentioned Jackie Bradley Jr. and Williams Jerez, who has hit a "bump" in the road.
• The Globe also talks about Michel Chavis, who has had his struggles this season. However, he has shown flashes of power, with 10 home runs.

Players of the Week 7/28-8/2

Mike Augliera, RHP, Portland Sea Dogs
2 G, 0-1, 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 K

Augliera (pictured, right) had struggled as a starter early in the season for Portland, but he made two brilliant relief appearances this past week. He went three innings against Trenton and four innings against Harrisburg. He surrendered an earned run against Trenton despite not allowing a hit. He also did not allow a hit in four perfect innings against Harrisburg. The 25-year old was a fifth round draft pick in 2012 and has spent a majority of his time in the Red Sox system as a starter. He had a 5.88 ERA in 14 starts this year, but has allowed just one earned run in three relief appearances.

Season stats:
20 G, 2-14, 94 1/3 IP, 5.44 ERA, 128 H, 31 BB, 60 K

Kevin Heller, OF, Salem Red Sox
7 G, 28 PA, 7 H, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 R, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 1 SB, 3 K, .381/.533/.714

Heller make it two weeks in a row in which he has been named the SoxProspects.com Player of the Week. After starting the year in Portland and struggling, Heller was sent back down to Salem on May 9. He has hit ever since. Combining his numbers with last week, Heller is batting .385 with three home runs in his last 13 games.

Season stats (Salem and Portland): 76 G, 302 PA, 70 H, 15 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 34 R, 42 RBI, 10 SB, 68 K, .286/.407/.416

Photo Credit: Travis Shaw and Mike Augliera by Kelly O'Connor

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