Minor Notes: Guerrero replaces Drohan in Futures Game; Lamet signed to minors deal

We are officially past the halfway point of the season. The All-Star break is fast approaching, meaning key events such as the Futures Game and MLB Draft will soon be upon us. Of course, we are also less than a full month away from the trade deadline, so it is certainly a busy time of year for the Red Sox and MLB's 29 other clubs. With that, let's get into this week's notes.

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Paxton named AL Pitcher of the Month

At the major-league level, veteran lefty James Paxton was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for June. Paxton, 34, went 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 34 to six in five June starts (31 innings) for the Red Sox. 

Guerrero replaces Drohan on Futures Game roster

Luis Guerrero (pictured, above) will take the place of fellow pitching prospect Shane Drohan in representing the Red Sox at this weekend's All-Star Futures Game in Seattle. Drohan was originally selected to attend the showcase alongside infielders Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke, but the lefty suffered a calf cramp in his start for Worcester on June 25. Fortunately, it appears as though Drohan is healthy as he started for the WooSox in their series finale against Buffalo on Monday.

Guerrero, meanwhile, has excelled out of the bullpen for Portland this season. The hard-throwing righty has forged a 1.19 ERA with 27 strikeouts to 17 walks in 26 appearances (30 1/3 innings) with the Sea Dogs. He has also recorded 13 saves in 15 opportunities. Originally selected by Boston in the 17th round of the 2021 amateur draft out of Chipola College (Marianna, Fla.), the 22-year-old Guerrero is currently regarded as the No. 25 prospect in the organization. 

Transactions

Goodrum opts out, McDonough makes jump to Worcester

Veteran utilityman Niko Goodrum exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and officially became a free agent on Monday. Goodrum, 31, signed a minors pact with Boston in December and had spent all season at Worcester. In 65 games for the WooSox, the versatile switch-hitter batted .280/.448/.440 with nine doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 36 RBIs, 49 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 66 walks, and 60 strikeouts over 286 plate appearances. He saw playing time at first base, second base, third base, and right field.

To address Goodrum's departure, Tyler McDonough was added to Worcester's roster from Portland last Friday. McDonough, a former third-round draft selection out of North Carolina State in 2021, figures to provide the WooSox with some positional versatility after making his first professional start at third base on Monday night. The 24-year-old struggled to a .614 OPS in 47 games with the Sea Dogs this season, but he is still ranked as the No. 48 prospect in the organization.

Pitching depth added via trade, free agent market

The Red Sox bolstered their pitching depth last week by acquiring right-hander Andres Nunez in a minor trade with the Royals and signing veteran righty Dinelson Lamet to a minor-league contract. Nunez, 27, is a former 29th-round draft choice of Kansas City out of Florida International. The Southwest Ranches, Fla. native has appeared in just one game for the WooSox thus far and carries with him a career 4.73 ERA in 94 outings (one start) at the Triple-A level. 

Lamet, who turns 31 later this month, most notably finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting while with the Padres during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The native Dominican has struggled to replicate that same sort of success since then. He made 16 appearances (four starts) with the Rockies this year and allowed 33 earned runs in 25 2/3 innings before being designated for assignment and subsequently released by Colorado in late June. The Red Sox are hopeful that they can help revitalize Lamet, who is currently on Worcester's development list.

Brannon, others promoted to Salem

Catching prospect Brooks Brannon was promoted from the Florida Complex League to Salem last Wednesday. Selected by Boston in the ninth round of last summer's draft out of Randleman High School (Randleman, N.C.), the 19-year-old Brannon has gone 2-for-7 (.286) with a home run and three RBIs in his first two games with the Red Sox. He is currently ranked as the No. 34 prospect in the organization.

In addition to Brannon, outfielder Albertson Asigen was added to Salem's roster on Monday. Brannon and Asigen join outfielder Alexis Hernandez and right-hander Yordanny Monegro as prospects who have made the jump from the FCL to Salem in recent weeks.

Injury notes

Lefty relievers Richard Bleier (shoulder inflammation) and Joely Rodriguez (shoulder inflammation) recently began rehab assignments with Portland. Infielder Yu Chang (returning from wrist surgery) also got in three games for the Sea Dogs during their latest series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester. In other rehab assignment-related news, outfielder Gilberto Jimenez has appeared in two games for the FCL Red Sox since returning to action this past Friday.

On the flip side, second baseman Enmanuel Valdez was recently placed on Worcester's 7-day injured list due to left thumb inflammation. Other recent injured list placements across the organization include outfielders Juan Chacon (Salem) and Miguel Ugueto (Greenville) and left-hander Skylar Arias (Portland). 

Where are they now?

Former Red Sox right-hander Phillips Valdez was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 27-July 2. Valdez, now a member of the Rockies organization, worked six scoreless innings in two appearances (one start) for Colorado's Triple-A affiliate last week. The 31-year-old hurler owns a 7.49 ERA across 45 2/3 innings for the Albuquerque Isotopes so far this season.

Players of the Week

Alex Erro, C/1B, Greenville Drive

4 G, 14 AB, 5 H, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 R, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 4 BB, 0 K, .357/.500/.857

Erro enjoyed a career day at the plate on Sunday, going 3 for 4 with a pair of three-run home runs and a two-run single for a total of eight RBIs. By pushing across eight runs on three swings of the bat, the 25-year-old backstop tied Greenville's single-game RBI record. On the 2023 campaign as a whole, Erro -- a former 17th-round draft pick out of Northwestern in 2019 -- has batted .291/.382/.425 with six doubles, four homers, 24 RBIs, 25 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 20 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 40 games (157 plate appearances) with the Drive. 

Luis Perales, RHP, Salem Red Sox

1 G, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K

In his 12th start of the season for Salem on Sunday, Perales (pictured, right) racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts over five scoreless innings of work. On the heels of that performance, the 20-year-old righty has now posted a miniscule 1.86 ERA in his last six starts (29 innings) for the Red Sox dating back to May 27. Originally signed for $75,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in July 2019, Perales is one of the more intriguing pitching prospects Boston currently has in the lower minors. 

Photo Credit: Luis Guerrero and Luis Perales by Kelly O'Connor

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