Minor Notes: Chavis on fire, Smith to start for Boston

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• The 157th episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast is now available. Chris Hatfield and Ian Cundall discuss Michael Chavis (pictured, right), power numbers in Triple-A, and an update on injuries.
• Chavis, SoxProspects.com's No. 1 prospect, continued to rake over the weekend against the White Sox, going 6 for 20 with three home runs and a double in the series. His season slash line now stands at .333/.460/.725 in 63 plate appearances. 
• Christopher Smith of MassLive.com had a terrific conversation with Chavis, including a discussion about the notes Chavis keeps during games about pitchers he faces and how his swing felt during his at-bats. 
• Alex Speier of The Boston Globe wrote about the Red Sox long-term approach when it comes to pitching prospects. Dave Bush, Red Sox pitching coordinator of performance, discusses how the team wants to remain patient with pitchers. Patience with Bryan Mata and Tanner Houck has been paying off so far. 
• Josh Smith, who has made three starts this year for Pawtucket, will get his first start in a Boston uniform tonight against Baltimore. The right-hander already has an inning with the big league club this year out of the bullpen. He has a 3.78 ERA for the PawSox and is striking out 12.4 hitters per nine innings. 
• The Red Sox signed Cody Asche to a minor league deal and have assigned him to Portland. The 28-year old had been playing independent ball with the Sugar Land Skeeters this year. He has 32 career home runs at the big league level in parts of five season with the Phillies and White Sox. 
• Boston also claimed Joey Curletta off waivers and assigned him to Portland. The Sea Dogs also activated Jeremy Rivera from the Injured List and played Keith Curcia on the IL. Pawtucket added Nick Lovullo from Portland and placed Chad De La Guerra on the IL. 

Players of the Week (April 29 through May 5)

Brandon Howlett, 3B, Greenville

5 G, 13 AB, 6 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 2 HBP, 2 K, .452/.650/.769

Howlett (pictured, left) was an on-base machine this past week, reaching 13 times in 20 trips to the plate. He reached base four times in a game twice, once with four hits and another with three walks and a hit. The 19-year old had been off to a slow start in Salem, but now has his season batting line at .241/.337/.342. Howlett was drafted in the 21st round last year and is ranked No. 12 at SoxProspects.com.

Mike Shawaryn, RHP, Pawtucket

1 G, 8 IP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0.75 WHIP

He only started one game this week, but was brilliant over eight innings of work. He only struck out three but limited the opposition to just six baserunners in his eight innings. Shawaryn is having a nice year for Pawtucket with a 2.72 ERA in six starts. He has 27 strikeouts, 12 walks, and has allowed just one home run on the year. 

Photo Credit: Michael Chavis and Brandon Howlett by Kelly O'Connor

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