Minor Notes: Looking ahead to September promotions

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• Friday's Scouting Scratch took a look at five late-round draftees currently playing in Lowell: infielders Garrett Benge (selected in the 13th round) and Frankie Rios (17th round) and right-handed pitchers Lukas Young (21st round), Taylor Ahearn (32nd round), and Durin O'Linger (undrafted).

• Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero discussed some of Boston's international free agent signings. Romero reported that the Red Sox have moved Danny Diaz, who is listed 21st in the SoxProspects.com rankings, from shortstop to third base. 

• Matt Collins of Over the Monster previewed some names that the Red Sox could promote when rosters expand in September. Infielders Deven Marrero, Tzu-Wei Lin, and Sam Travis are almost certain to be added to the major league roster along with lefty Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez. 

• A few of these potential reinforcements put together strong performances for the PawSox on Saturday. Jalen Beeks (pictured, above), who is not currently on the 40-man roster but has had a great season between Portland and Pawtucket, threw seven strong innings. Austin Maddox picked up the save and Lin hit a two-run homer. 

• Rafael Devers, who was promoted to Boston less than a month ago, has made his mark in the early stages of his major league career. Though his performance on the field has been tremendous, he has also made an impression with his confidence and poise. 

• Speaking of his tremendous on-field performance, Devers is already setting records. With a home run on Saturday, Devers became the first player under 21 to hit home runs in three consecutive games against the Yankees since Babe Ruth in 1915. He is also the first player under 21 in major league history to hit eight home runs in his first 20 games. 

• The Red Sox have activated left-hander Roenis Elias from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Pawtucket. In eight starts across four levels of the minors this season, Elias has a 7.53 ERA in 34 2/3 innings.  

• In a corresponding move, the Red Sox designated right-handed reliever Noe Ramirez for assignment on Thursday and he was claimed the next day by the Angels. In 30 2/3 innings over parts of three seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez had a 4.99 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 16 walks. Ramirez held a 3.51 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 16 walks in 48 2/3 innings for Pawtucket this season. 

Players of the Week 8/14-8/20

Tyler Hill, OF, Greenville Drive

5 G, 17 AB, 6 H, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K, .353/.500/.765

Hill's recent hot streak brings his season line up to .274/.345/.389 in what has been a successful full-season debut for the speedy outfielder, who has stolen 39 bases in 46 attempts. There are serious questions about Hill's hit and power tools but his speed and performance in the lower levels of the minors place him as the 41st prospect in the system. He was selected in the 19th round of the 2014 draft. 

Trey Ball, LHP, Portland Sea Dogs

1 G, 7 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K, 0.71 WHIP

Once a seventh-overall pick and exciting pitching prospect, Ball's development has stalled and he has had a difficult season in Portland, holding a 5.46 ERA in 112 innings. However, the 23-year-old turned in his best start of the season on Thursday. The southpaw threw seven shutout innings, striking out nine and walking one. Ball has fallen to 37th in the SoxProspects.com rankings and will need to perform like this on a consistent basis for his stock to rise again.

Photo Credit: Jalen Beeks and Trey Ball by Kelly O'Connor

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