Espinoza headlines crop of young talent in Greenville

The Low-A Greenville Drive announced their roster today, headlined by three prospects ranked in the SoxProspects.com top 20. Right-handed pitcher Anderson Espinoza (pictured), ranked third in the system and making his full-season debut, is far and away the best prospect of the group. The 18-year-old phenom cruised through the Dominican Summer League and Gulf Coast League last season. He even made one start for Greenville in September, giving up three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. With an excellent repertoire and an advanced feel for pitching, the Red Sox hope he'll make quick work of the the South Atlantic League as well.

The Greenville lineup doesn't quite have the strength of last season, when they sported one of the most talent-rich rosters in the minors. However, Luis Alexander Basabe and third baseman Michael Chavis, a holdover from last year's team, rank eighth and tenth, respectively, in the SoxProspects.com rankings. While both have had some trouble making consistent contact, they will inject some power for the Drive, with Basabe providing quality center-field defense to boot.

The Drive will fill out the rest of their lineup with a collection of intriguing players. Austin Rei, drafted in the third round a year ago, will serve as Greenville's starting catcher and power-hitting Josh Ockimey will start at first base. Luis Alejandro Basabe, Luis Alexander's twin brother, and defensive stalwart Jeremy Rivera, ranked 40th and 39th, respectively, will make up the middle infield for the Drive. Finally, toolsy outfielders Kyri Washington and Trenton Kemp should round out the starting lineup in Greenville.

On the mound, the Drive have a few interesting names. Roniel Raudes, who posted some eye-popping numbers in his professional debut season last year, and Austin Glorius, who burst onto the scene last year after signing as an undrafted free agent, will likely slot behind Espinoza in the Greenville rotation. Dioscar Romero and Jeffry Fernandez will likely round out the starting five while Matt Kent, Jake Cosart, Logan Boyd, and Bobby Poyner represent some of the bullpen corps.

The full Greenville roster follows:

Pitchers
Logan Boyd
Jake Cosart
Victor Diaz
Anderson Espinoza
Jeffry Fernandez
Austin Glorius
Daniel Gonzalez
Matt Kent
Anyelo LeClerc
Kuehl McEachern
Bobby Poyner
Roniel Raudes
Dioscar Romero

Catchers
Roldani Baldwin
Austin Rei
J.T. Watkins

Infielders
Luis Alejandro Basabe
Michael Chavis
Chad De La Guerra
Mitchell Gunsolus
Josh Ockimey
Jeremy Rivera

Outfielders
Luis Alexander Basabe
Trenton Kemp
Tate Matheny
Joseph Monge
Kyri Washington

Photo Credit: Anderson Espinoza by Kelly O'Connor

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