Minor Notes: Sox DFA Shaw, call up Cordero

It was a bit of a rough week for Boston's affiliates, as Worcester was the only team to finish .500 or better this past week, going 3-3. Greenville and Portland each won just one game. Things at the MLB level weren't much better, as they went 2-5. 

-----

Transactions

Sox add Davis to outfield mix

Outfielder Jaylin Davis came up to the big club for the Baltimore series after being claimed off waivers from San Francisco, where he filled in nicely by making a start in left field and going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles. He was immediately optioned to Worcester after the game, along with right-hander Phillips Valdez. Davis had been playing in Triple-A for the Giants, where he was hitting .296/.340/.500 with five extra-base hits in 10 games. The 27-year-old had previously had a few cups of coffee with the Giants.

The Sox also designated first baseman Travis Shaw for assignment.  Shaw had been hitless in 19 plate appearances for Boston and is now a free agent. Left-handed pitcher Derek Holland also chose to opt out of his contract with the Red Sox. The former Texas Ranger was struggling this season to the tune of a 7.15 ERA in 11 1/3 innings pitched. 

To replace Shaw, the Sox called up Franchy Cordero (pictured, right) for the first time in 2022. After struggling at the MLB level in 2021, Cordero has been on fire with Worcester so far this year. In 19 games, he had a .913 OPS with eight doubles, three home runs, and 24 RBI. In his two games for Boston so far he has doubled and hit a sacrifice fly. With Shaw gone and Bobby Dalbec struggling to find a rhythm at the plate, Cordero could see increased playing time at first base. 

-----

Key Links 

The SoxProspects.com Players of the Month have been announced, as Ryan Fitzgerald and Brandon Walter received the honors. Walter did not walk a single batter in April, while Fitzgerald continued his hot spring training. 

-----

Players of the Week

Jeter Downs, SS, Worcester Red Sox

6 G, 23 AB, 7 H, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 R, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 7 K, .304/.407/.783

Downs (pictured, left) has started to break out after a disappointing 2021 season and a slow start to 2022. He had at least one hit in five of his six games this week, and has homered in each of his last two games. Ranked 16th at SoxProspects.com, Downs has brought his OPS up to .826 on the season, belting five home runs, three doubles, and a triple. Things are looking up in the strike out department as well, as Downs has not struck out in two of his past three games after going down by way of the K at least once in 13 of his first 14 games this year. He has also displayed some nice discipline with 13 walks so far. He is also seeing 4.4 pitches per plate appearances, which is a career-high, as he had never been above four in that category.

Acquired from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, Downs has also been very good at shortstop in 2022. Fielding percentage isn't everything of course, but Downs has made just two errors this season and is currently carrying a career-high fielding percentage in the early going of the season. Downs has also swiped three bags so far. 

Jay Groome, LHP, Portland Sea Dogs

1 G, 0-0, 5 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 10 K

Groome has picked up where he left off last year and has continued to pitch extremely well for the Sea Dogs. In 2021, Groome threw 15 2/3 innings with Portland and posted an awesome 26:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.02 WHIP. This year, he has 19 strikeouts and five walks to go along with a 1.07 WHIP over 15 innings. This past week, Groome struck out 10 in a game for the second time in his professional career, the first in his first start with Portland last September. 

The 2016 first-round pick is still just 23 years old. He is ranked 10th at SoxProspects.com, and if he keeps it up we could see Groome in the big leagues at some point in 2023. 

Photo Credit: Franchy Cordero and Jeter Downs by Kelly O'Connor

Tweet