Minor Notes: Kavadas promoted again; Perales moves up to Salem

A handful of late-season promotions were the big story this week, and the regular seasons for the rookie leagues are already coming to a close. The DSL BOS Blue and FCL squads have clinched playoff berths, while DSL BOS Red is on the outside looking in. 

Promotions

Niko Kavadas, Shane Drohan, and Cody Scroggins were all promoted from Greenville to Portland. The second promotion for Kavadas in 2022, the 23-year-old hit .308/.472/.592 in 37 games in High-A after batting .287/.453/.609 in Low-A. Drohan posted an ERA of 4.00 with 136 strikeouts in 105 2/3 innings for the Drive and was particularly sharp as of late. He pitched to an ERA of 1.77 over his last four starts. Scroggins had solid numbers before his promotion, with an ERA of 4.35 over 41 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old will now be facing more age-appropriate competition in Portland. 

Wikelman Gonzalez and Luis Guerrero moved up to Greenville from Salem. Gonzalez has seen his stock take a slight hit this year as he posted a 4.54 ERA over 81 1/3 innings. He has struck out 98 but also walked 48 and hit nine batters. The 20-year-old will be three years younger than the average player in the South Atlantic League. Guerrero was a 17th-round pick in the 2021 draft and went 4-3 with a 4.18 ERA in Salem. He also had impressive strikeout numbers with 14.1 per nine innings. 

Luis Perales and Luis Talavera jumped to a full-season affiliate with Salem from the FCL. Perales has generated significant buzz due to his performance in the FCL, jumping up to 24th in the system rankings. Usually pitching three innings per outing, he allowed only three earned runs over 25 innings and struck out 34. His fastball is reportedly topping out in the high-90s. Talavera has been impressive as well despite not missing many bats. His ERA in the FCL was 2.21, but he struck out just 5.1 batters per nine innings. 

Transactions

With Kiké Hernández activated from the 60-day injured list and Rob Refsnyder from the 10-day injured list, the Red Sox designated Yolmer Sánchez for assignment and released Danny Santana. Sánchez got 37 at-bats in Boston this year and hit .108. 

Josh Winckowski was optioned to Worcester to make room for Matt Strahm. Winckowski has been hit hard in the majors, with a 5.19 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. With the Red Sox thin on starting pitching, Winckowski will be called back up to start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. 

Brayan Bello has made it back up to Worcester on his rehab assignment. The talented right-hander has allowed two runs over eight innings in his first two rehab starts. 

Players of the Week

Matthew Lugo, 3B, Greenville Drive

5 G, 21 AB, 8 H, 2 2B, 4 HR, 9 R 10 RBI, 2 SB, .381/.435/1.048

Lugo (pictured, above) started the week off slow but exploded on Friday and Saturday. Over the two games, Lugo went 7 for 10 with a double and four home runs. Lugo also won the South Atlantic League Player of the Week award. The system's 21st-ranked prospect, the 21-year-old has shown improved power in 2022 that has boosted his profile. After hitting four home runs in 418 at-bats in Salem last year, he is up to 17 this year with the Drive. 

Bryan Mata, RHP, Portland Sea Dogs

1 G, 1-0, 6 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Mata started his rehab assignment in early June with Salem, and he's been with the Sea Dogs since late June. He threw more than 80 pitches for the first time on July 9, and since then, he has pitched to a 2.29 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. His strong recovery from Tommy John surgery has cemented his ranking as a top-10 prospect in the system, and his place on the 40-man roster should earn him a role in Boston sometime in 2023. 

Photo Credit: Matthew Lugo by Kelly O'Connor

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