Minor Notes: Futures Game, MLB draft on tap this weekend

 

Here are this week's minor league notes: 

• It was a busy week for the SoxProspects.com podcast, as Chris and Ian discussed some things that Ian saw in his trip to Portland to see the Sea Dogs on episode 215. They also talk about Connor Wong making his MLB debut, the issues Boston is having with Garrett Richards, injury updates, the Florida Complex League, and some questions. 

• In the 216th episode, Chris and Ian welcome ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel to the show to discuss the upcoming draft and who McDaniel sees as fits for the Sox at pick number four. Chris and Ian also talk about Jarren Duran not being on the roster for the Olympic team, some transactions, as well as the July ranking update. 

• Speaking of the Olympics, Triston Casas and Jack Lopez will represent the USA, while Joey Meneses will represent Mexico.

• Duran not being on the roster for the Olympics doesn't necessarily mean he will be called up soon, as the players participating in those games will be away until August. However, Chaim Bloom went on NBC Sports Boston's Talkin' Baseball show and talked about how he's much closer than he was at the beginning of the season, as the Sox have been impressed with him cutting down on his swing and miss, as well as his improvements in the outfield. 

• Jeter Downs and Brayan Bello will represent the Red Sox in the Futures Game that will be played this Sunday at Coors Field in Denver. 

• Chad Jennings of The Athletic wrote a piece speculating about when the productive Triple-A outfield can start helping Boston at the major league level. 

• Some promotions throughout the system were announced this past week, as Jaxx Groshans, Brandon Walter, and Cody Scroggins were promoted to Greenville, while Alan Marrero and Yasel Santana were sent to Salem. Alex Scherff was promoted to Portland, Jose Adames was moved up to Worcester, and Chih-Jung Liu was promoted to Salem from the FCL. The club also released Bobby Poyner. 

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Players of the Week 6/28-7/4

Tyreque Reed, 1B, Greenville Drive

6 G, 23 AB, 9 H, 1 2B, 4 HR, 7 R, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 SB, .391/.481/.957

Reed has been phenomenal for the Sox in his first year in the system after being selected in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft this past winter. He has always hit for a lot of power, as he spent three seasons playing in the Texas Rangers minor leagues system, including a 2018 season in which he posted an .846 OPS with 18 home runs and 27 doubles in just 97 games for High-A Hickory. Reed has been on fire most of the year with Greenville, hitting .294/.392/.588 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI in 42 games. 

Jay Groome, LHP, Greenville Drive

1 G, 0-0, 6 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K

Groome (pictured) has hit his best stretch as a professional baseball player of late. The left-handed pitcher has had a rough go so far in pro ball, dealing with a ton of injuries and inconsistencies. Still just 22 years old, Groome figured some things out in June after a rough May. Starting with his final start of May, Groome has 48 strikeouts and just 12 walks in his past seven outings, which is 36 innings of work. 

Photo Credit: Jay Groome by Kelly O'Connor

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