July 25, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Weekly notes: Benintendi moves to left field
Here are this week's minor league notes:
- The Red Sox appear to have placed Andrew Benintendi (pictured) on the fast track as the 2015 first-rounder made his first start in left field on July 22nd. Benintendi had played exclusively center field in his minor league career but, with Jackie Bradley Jr. manning center field and Mookie Betts in right for the foreseeable future, left field looks to be Benintendi's eventual home in Boston. Ryan Hannable of WEEI wonders what could be the next step for SoxProspects.com's second-ranked prospect.
- There was plenty of action on the 102nd episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast as Executive Editor Chris Hatfield, Managing Editor Matt Huegel, and Director of Scouting Ian Cundall broke down the Anderson Espinoza trade and the recent draft signings, including first-rounder Jason Groome.
- In his most recent Scouting Scratch, Cundall gave his thoughts on a pair of Greenville outfielders in Kyri Washington and Tate Matheny.
- Though it's easy to get swept up in Benintendi's hype, Nick Canelas of BP Boston suggests that the Red Sox should take things slow with him. Canelas draws comparisons to Jackie Bradley Jr., another college outfielder drafted in the first round who was rushed to the majors and took two years to hit his stride.
- With Benintendi switching positions, Christopher Smith of Masslive.com suggests that it's time for top prospect Yoan Moncada to do the same, listing third base and left field as likely spots for the 21-year-old.
- With the Red Sox potentially in the mix for superstar southpaw Chris Sale, the Red Sox may be forced to use one of their top two prospects as the centerpiece of a trade. Ben Buchanan of Over the Monster wonders whether the Red Sox would be better off building a trade around Moncada or Benintendi.
- In a must-read piece, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe speaks with Brian Johnson about his professional career and his recent decision to seek treatment for anxiety. A first-round selection in 2012, Johnson began his professional career in Lowell and is back with the Spinners after taking some time away from baseball.
- Though Anderson Espinoza is a steep price to pay for Drew Pomeranz, Brett Cowett of BP Boston examines the inherent risk of pitching prospects and why this trade might not be the worst thing in the world.
- However, the trade of Espinoza brings more attention to the lack of pitching depth in the Red Sox organization. There is a steep drop-off after first-rounder Jason Groome and Michael Kopech, Boston's top two pitching prospects.
- In BP Boston's regular Fenway's Future segment, Josh Slavin takes a look at a handful of the most promising names in the Red Sox farm system.
- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have claimed Sean Coyle off waivers. The Red Sox had designated Coyle for assignment to make room for Michael Martinez on the 40-man roster. Coyle peaked at 11th in the SoxProspects.com rankings and had been slashing .165/.244/.280 between Portland and Pawtucket this season.
- Greenville left-hander Logan Boyd was named the Pitcher of the Week in the South Atlantic League this week. Boyd started on July 21st and tossed seven shutout innings, allowing only a hit and two walks while striking out eight.
Players of the Week 7/18-7/24
6 G, 24 AB, 6 R, 9 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 3 BB, 7 K, .375/.444/.750
Devers (pictured) got off to a slow start in Salem this season but has really turned things around of late. He has improved in every month of the season and is hitting an incredible .378/.434/.711 in 22 games this July. Headlining his huge week, Devers went 3 for 5 on July 19th and then hit home runs in back-to-back games on July 22nd and 23rd. SoxProspects.com's third-ranked prospect, Devers has brought his slash line up to .271/.333/.432 with Salem this season.
Boyd's phenomenal start on July 21st earned his South Atlantic League Player of the Week honors. In 19 starts with Greenville this season, Boyd owns a 5.12 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 21 walks in 95 innings pitched. The Red Sox drafted Boyd in the 19th round of the 2015 draft out of Sam Houston State.