July 21, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Minor Notes: MLB Draft and Futures Game highlight busy week
2022 MLB Draft
The Red Sox grabbed several high-ceiling high school position players and intriguing college pitchers. The list of draftees is available on the Draft History page, and a full write-up of picks in rounds one through 10 is available on the News page. Chris and Ian also recorded a podcast on Sunday night detailing their instant reactions to the selections of Mikey Romero, Cutter Coffey, and Roman Anthony on day one.
With the signing deadline of August 1 already fast approaching, many experts have wondered how the Red Sox will fit all of the high-upside talent into their bonus pool. Andrews posted his signing projections in the SoxProspects.com Forum, and he will keep the projections updated up until signing day.
2022 All-Star Futures Game
Ceddanne Rafaela (pictured, above) was Boston's only representative in the game, and he went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts while playing shortstop.
Brian Abraham joins the podcast
Red Sox Director of Player Development Brian Abraham joined Chris and Ian on the 253rd episode of the SoxProspects.com Podcast. Abraham talked about his baseball career and shared candid thoughts on several players in the minors and majors, including Rafaela.
Transactions
Jay Groome promoted to Worcester
The 16th-ranked prospect in the system, Groome has made it to Triple-A after tossing 92 1/3 innings in Portland over two seasons. He pitched to a 3.52 ERA over 16 appearances with the Sea Dogs in 2022 while striking out over a batter per inning. Groome was added to the 40-man roster after the 2020 season and will have one option remaining after 2022. He will look to prove with the WooSox that he is ready for a roster spot in 2024, if not sooner.
Triston Casas begins rehab assignment
After missing almost two months with a sprained ankle, Casas began a rehab assignment with the FCL Red Sox last Tuesday.
Thaddeus Ward continues rehab assignment
After two appearances in the FCL, Ward moved his rehab up to Salem, where he threw three hitless innings with four strikeouts.
Michael Gettys promoted to Portland
Gettys has had a fascinating career, and it took another step forward with his promotion to Double-A. A 2nd-round pick as an outfielder in 2014, Gettys converted to pitching in 2021. He opened the year in Greenville and recorded a 3.34 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 29 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old is a great athlete, which helped him convert to the mound.
Players of the Week
Niko Kavadas, 1B, Greenville Drive
5 G, 15 AB, 5 H, 3 HR, 9 R, 5 RBI, 7BB, 5K, .333/.565/.933
While the batting average does not jump off the screen, Kavadas used his patience and power to take home his third award in the last five weeks. One of the hottest hitters in the minor leagues since the start of June, Kavadas hit three more home runs to give him 22 on the season over 77 games. His numbers in 77 plate appearances since being promoted to Greenville are an absurd .333/.520/.815 with 18 walks and 18 strikeouts. Boston's 11th-round pick in 2021, he has surpassed even the highest expectations so far in 2022.
Chris Murphy, LHP, Worcester Red Sox
2 G, 1-0, 12 IP, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Murphy (pictured, above), the system's 10th-ranked prospect, has adjusted quickly to Triple-A. In his third and fourth starts at the level, he combined to toss 12 shutout innings. This is against a Norfolk lineup second in the International League East in runs scored. After an up-and-down season in 2021, Murphy has been one of the system's top pitchers this year. In 99 2/3 innings between Portland and Worcester, his ERA sits at 2.53 with an opposing batting average of .171. While a batting average on balls in play of .226 makes him a candidate for some regression, he should easily beat last year's ERA of 4.62.
Photo Credit: Ceddanne Rafaela and Chris Murphy by Kelly O'Connor