Weekly Notes: Draft retrospective series continues, Mata impresses

Here are Monday's minor league notes:

• Over the past couple of weeks, the SoxProspects.com team has broken down and reflected on the drafts from 2008, 2009, and 2010. Check out each year's "The Picks" post, which includes a pick-by-pick recap of each player taken. The Sox drafted 52 players in 2008, 50 in 2009, and another 52 in 2010. The most notable players selected in these three years were Brandon Workman, who is the big league team's current closer, and Christian Vazquez, who is following up his great 2019 season with a hot start to 2020.
• The second part of the Draft Retrospective series is a more in-depth analysis of each draft. The 2008 piece focused on the lack of MLB production from the players the team drafted and signed that year, as well as a look at the team's decision to take six catchers in this draft. The Sox also used a handful of players in this draft to trade for major league players. The 2009 portion highlighted Jason McLeod's final draft as the team's Scouting Director. It also highlighted the lack of talent this draft had, as only three selections in this draft even made it into the SoxProspects.com's Top 10. The 2010 draft was the first for Amiel Sawdaye as Scouting Director, and the team ended up missing out on some terrific players, as the 2010 draft was loaded with talent. 
• On the latest episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast, Chris and Ian discuss Boston's newest signings and additions to the Player Pool, as well as some tough roster decisions and the latest 2020 draft signing announcements. 
• SoxProspects.com's Director of Scouting Ian Cundall also provided some scouting report updates on six players, including the site's number one prospect, Triston Casas. 
• SoxProspects.com's third-ranked prospect Bryan Mata has generated some attention recently, after pitching well in a couple of innings during an intrasquad scrimmage in Pawtucket on Friday.  Chaim Bloom discussed the idea of bringing up both Mata and Tanner Houck at some point this season here. 
• Cundall also provided some insight into Mata's outing, as well as video of the 21-year-old. 
• Obviously, 2020 has been a difficult one for minor league teams and organizations everywhere. That's no different for the Sea Dogs, who face an uphill battle. Alex Speier detailed the challenges facing the Sea Dogs, and why owners Bill Burke and Sally McNamara see reasons for optimism. 
• In transaction news, the Red Sox recently designated catcher Jonathan Lucroy for assignment. He was then outrighted to the alternate training site. Right-handed pitcher Chris Mazza was recalled from the alternate site as well. The team also claimed right-handed pitcher Robert Stock off waivers from the Phillies and optioned him to the alternate site. 
• The baseball community mourned the passing of longtime Pawtucket Red Sox executive Lou Schwechheimer, who passed away on July 29 due to complications related to COVID-19. Schwechheimer rose up through the ranks in his 37-year run in the PawSox front office, from getting hired as an intern all the way to an ownership position. He left the organization after the 2015 season and was serving as the Majority Owner and General Partner of the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League. 

Photo Credit: Bryan Mata by Kelly O'Connor

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