August 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Minor Notes: Bello rehabs, Romero and Anthony debut
It was a big week in the minor leagues, as multiple 2022 draft picks, including Boston's top two picks, made their professional debuts. Brayan Bello (pictured, left) also returned to action.
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Bello Rehabs
Right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello made his first appearance since being pulled early from his start against the Houston Astros on August 3. He tossed 3 2/3 innings and struck out six while allowing one run. Bello has struggled with Boston, posting an 8.47 ERA in 17 innings. The good news is that number is not going to sustain, as he has still been getting a ton of ground balls at the MLB level, suggesting his luck has been on the wrong side so far. According to Fangraphs, 578 pitchers have thrown at least 10 innings this year. Bello ranks 7th in ground ball rate at 65.5%. Between Portland and Worcester this year he is 10-4 with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.
Bleis out with sore back
Miguel Bleis, who recently jumped into the top five at SoxProspects.com, has been out for a few days with a stiff lower back. It doesn't sound too serious, however, and should be good to go soon, per Chris Hatfield. The 18-year-old has been having a tremendous season for the FCL Sox, hitting .301/.353/.542. According to Ian Cundall, scouts have said that he is the best player in the entire FCL.
Romero, Anthony among 2022 draft picks to debut
Mikey Romero and Roman Anthony, Boston's top two draft picks in 2022, made their professional debuts this past week with the FCL Red Sox. Romero is 2 for 12 with a double so far with three walks. He has also struck out just once in 15 plate appearances. Anthony is off to a very hot start, going 7 for 15 (.467) with two doubles and five RBI. He has walked twice and struck out twice. Anthony has already seen time at all three outfield positions, while Romero has been playing shortstop. Brooks Brannon, the Sox ninth-round selection this year, is also off to a hot start in the FCL, going 4 for 6 with two doubles and five runs scored so far. Ten other 2022 draft picks were added to the FCL roster yesterday as well and are set to debut in the coming days.
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Transactions
Familia signs minor league deal
The Red Sox signed long-time Mets reliever Jeurys Familia to a minor league deal. He was placed on the active roster but has not appeared in a game yet. The 32-year-old right-hander has 125 career saves to go along with a 3.46 ERA. He appeared in 38 games with the Philadelphia Phillies this year and had a 6.09 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Howlett, Martinez, and Roedahl released
Brandon Howlett, Joan Martinez, and Devon Roedahl were all released from the organization this past week. Howlett was drafted by Boston in the 21st round in 2018. He had a really nice year in 2021 with Greenville to the tune of an .814 OPS and 17 home runs but struggled this year in Portland with a slash line of .167/.278/.205 with 42 strikeouts in 78 at-bats. Martinez was signed in 2016 as an international free agent and has spent all seven of his professional years in the Sox' organization. He posted a career ERA of 3.64 with 263 strikeouts. He had a 5.94 ERA in 30 games with Portland this year. Roedahl was a 27th-round draft pick in 2019 and had a great year in 2021 with a 2.52 ERA in 37 games, but struggled this year with a 9.38 ERA in 27 games with Greenville.
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Key Links
New SoxProspects.com podcast
The 258th edition of the SoxProspects.com podcast is out, and Chris and Ian talk about the new August rankings. They also discuss the debuts of 2022 draft picks and get to some questions.
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Players of the Week
6 G, 21 AB, 10 H, 1 3B, 7 R 4 RBI, 2 SB, .476/.607/.571
The 21-year-old has been putting together a very nice season for the Red Sox after a great 2021 in rookie ball. He hit .415 with a 1.143 OPS in 18 games last year for the FCL Sox. This year, he's hitting .279/.335/.401 with 15 extra-base hits and 28 RBI in his first full season of professional baseball. He is currently riding a four-game hitting streak and had back-to-back three-hit games this past week.
Mejicano (pictured, right) was signed in 2019 as an international free agent. So far in his career, he has caught 43 would-be base stealers out of 112 attempts (28%). This season, he is 18 for 56 (24%).
Shane Drohan, LHP, Greenville Drive
2 G, 2-0, 10 IP, 0.90 ERA, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 13 K
Drohan has been on a nice run over the past few weeks, as he has gone at least five innings with two or fewer runs allowed in each of his past four starts. He has a 1.17 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just three walks in August so far. For the season, the left-hander has a 4.00 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 105 2/3 frames with 136 strikeouts.
He was drafted in the fifth round back in 2020 by the Red Sox out of Florida State, which he attended for three years after being taken by the Phillies in the 2017 draft.
Photo Credit: Yorberto Mejicano and Brayan Bello by Kelly O'Connor