May 29, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Minors Notes: Travis called to Boston
Here are Monday's minor league notes:
- On Tuesday, the Red Sox called up SoxProspects.com's third-ranked prospect Sam Travis (pictured) to the show. Travis has only appeared in two games so far, making one start. He has two hits in five plate appearances, both singles. His first major league hit came in his second at-bat, a single off Martin Perez.
- In his Minor League Notebook from May 18, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe talks about Travis' hot streak in Triple-A. Travis said he was trying to do too much early on in the year and has gotten back to sticking with his approach.
- Speier also wrote about Keith Foulke and his expanded role within the organization. Foulke, who didn't pay much attention to baseball after he retired, is back and has been roving from team to team throughout the Red Sox minor league system. He works with relievers and helps them out by talking through situations with them.
- For Baseball America, Speier wrote about Mike Shawaryn and how the Red Sox were excited when he fell to the fifth round in 2016. The Red Sox like his potential as a starter.
- David Laurila of Fangraphs wrote about Jalen Beeks and his success in 2017. Beeks says being around the same coaches for an extended time period and adding a cutter to his repertoire have helped him pitched well this year.
- Bryan Mata was called up to Greenville and made his first start on Friday. The 18-year-old right-hander skipped two levels to reach Greenville. He is ranked 15th at SoxProspects.com.
- On Saturday, SoxProspects.com's 10th ranked prospect, Brian Johnson, hurled a complete game shutout against the Seattle Mariners. He struck out eight, walked nobody, and allowed only five hits. He threw 109 pitches and 85 strikes.
- Johnson was optioned right back to Triple-A following his gem, as the Red Sox added Blaine Boyer from the PawSox. In Salem, Marc Brakeman was activated from the DL and Roniel Raudes was added to the DL.
- Blake Swihart was activated from the DL on Friday as well. He has caught two games since being back and has gone 1 for 9 with a walk.
Players of the Week: 5/22-5/28
5 G, 17 AB, 8 H, 2 HR, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 4 R, 7 BB, 3 K, .471/.625/.941
Brentz was terrific and consistent this past week, with at least one hit in each contest. He had three multi-hit games and swatted a walk-off single in extra innings on Friday. Brentz is starting to get hot after a cold start to the season. His season line is now up to .205/.279/.377.
1 GS, 1-0, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 2 BB, 4 K
After a 4.78 ERA in Greenville in 2016, Boyd is repeating the level this year and pitching very well. The 23-year old is 6-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 49 innings. He has a 1.10 WHIP and batters are hitting just .221 against him this season.
Photo Credit: Sam Travis by Kelly O'Connor