Minor Notes: Draftees continue to sign; trade deadline approaches

Here are this week's minor notes:

• The trade deadline is on Friday afternoon, so SoxProspects.com's own Ian Cundall highlighted potential areas from which the Red Sox could trade to bolster the big league club for the stretch run.

• Cundall and Chris Hatfield also recorded Episode No. 218 of the SoxProspects.com Podcast, which featured a draft discussion with MLBPipeline's Jim Callis.

• Cundall also updated the scouting reports for a trio of pitchers in the high minors, including No. 7 prospect Brayan Bello (pictured, right), as well as Jose Adames and Zack Kelly.

• Speaking of the draft, Boston has also signed the majority of its 2021 draftees.

• First-round pick Marcelo Mayer put pen to paper on his deal July 22 for a full slot value of $6,664,000, the third draftee to do so after third-round selection Tyler McDonough and 10th-rounder Matt Litwicki last week.

• The organization announced an additional 10 signees on Saturday, headlined by fourth-rounder Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, sixth-round choice Daniel McElveny, seventh-round pick Wyatt Olds, eighth-round draftee Hunter Dobbins and ninth-round choice Tyler Miller.

• Boston also inked Christopher Troye (12th round), Jacob Webb (14th round), BJ Vela (16th round), Philip Sykes (18th round) and Tyler Uberstine (19th round) to deals, meaning the Red Sox have signed 13 of their 20 draftees.

• Second-round selection Jud Fabian, fifth-rounder Nathan Hickey, 11th-round choice Niko Kavadas, 13th-rounder Zach Ehrhard, 15th-round pick Payton Green, 17th-round selection Luis Guerrero and 20th-rounder Josh Hood unsigned before the August 1 deadline. However, Kavadas can sign later, as he is a college senior.

• Boston also picked up a pair of undrafted free agents in Clemson outfielder Kier Meredith and West Oklahoma State right-handed pitcher Jhonny Felix, each of whom were announced Sunday.

• The Red Sox also signed international free agent Yonfi Rodriguez. The 19-year-old is a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic.

• Meanwhile, Danny Santana was placed on the 10-day injured list July 22 with a groin strain and Hirokazu Sawamura went on the shelf the following day with tricep inflammation. Franchy Cordero and Philips Valdez were recalled from Worcester to replace the fallen major leaguers.There were also a string of promotions throughout the week. Kutter Crawford, Durbin Feltman and Grant Williams all went from Portland to Worcester July 23 and were followed north the next day by Enmanuel De Jesus.
• Infielders Jake MacKenzie and Nick Sogard were promoted to Greenville and Portland, respectively, on July 23, as well.

• Worcester also activated Connor Seabold from the injured list July 23. He has started slowly in his first few outings, pitching nine innings through three starts.

• The most prominent player on the injured list, Chris Sale, is close to a return, but will make at least two more rehab starts, according to manager Alex Cora. 

• Baseball America updated its Top 100 prospect list to reflect the MLB Draft and three prospects landed on the list.

• Tanner Houck made a start against the Yankees this weekend and pitched very well, scattering two hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Boston Herald's Jason Mastrodonato is of the opinion that Houck should remain in the rotation.

• Alex Speier of the Boston Globe has the story on the organization providing back pay for extended spring training, as well as a housing stipend for minor leaguers at full-season affiliates.

Players of the Week:

Jhonny Pereda, C, Portland

4 G, 10 AB, 5 H, 3 2B, 4 R, 1 RBI, 6 BB, 0 K, .500/.688/.800

Pereda (pictured, left), who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in March 2020 to complete the Travis Lakins trade, so this is his first season playing in the system after spending time at the Alternate Training Site in 2020. The Venezuelan had a pair of impressive games this week, hitting 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles on Friday, while he started his week 2 for 3, adding another two-bagger. He also worked at least one walk in each of his four starts on the week. While Pereda provides most of his value with his glove behind the plate, he hasn't been a slouch in the batter's box this season, slashing .256/.366/.372 across 121 plate appearances.

Jeremy Wu-Yelland, LHP, Salem

1 G, 0-0, 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K

Delivering a perfect start, Wu-Yelland has pitched well in his professional debut this season, after he was selected in the fourth round of the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. While the Washington native has yet to pitch beyond four innings this season, this is the third time the left-hander has thrown four no-hit frames and the second time he has been perfect, after he also did so against Delmarva on June 20. While Wu-Yelland may not start long term, he is taking advantage of his opportunity to start in 2021, pitching to a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts across 43 1/3 innings. He also has limited baserunners, as he owns a 1.18 WHIP.

Photo Credit: Brayan Bello and Jhonny Pereda by Kelly O'Connor

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