August 29, 2023 at 4:55 PM
Minor Notes: Abreu debuts for Boston; Rafaela called up
September is right around the corner as the minor league season is beginning to wind down. A handful of 2023 draft picks have made their professional debuts, while another prospect made his MLB debut and has already made an impact. On top of that, the SoxProspects.com number four prospect has been called up to the show.
Coming off of two consecutive SoxProspects.com Player of the Week nods, Wilyer Abreu made his major league debut for the Red Sox in Houston against the Astros last week. He saw his first action after Alex Verdugo was ejected, entering the game in the fourth inning and going 2 for 3 with a double. He would later add a four-hit game that included his first big league home run. Over 19 plate appearances so far, Abreu is hitting .353/.421/.647 with two walks and three extra-base hits. The early returns on his plate discipline and batted ball data have been impressive as well.
SoxProspects.com's fourth ranked prospect Ceddanne Rafaela made his MLB debut last night in Boston. In a blowout, Rafaela was inserted into the game as a defensive replacement. In his first MLB plate appearance, Rafaela swung a the first pitch and dunked a single to right-center field. The 22-year old had been tearing up Triple-A, batting .312/.370/.618 with 13 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, and six stolen bases in 48 games.
2023 draft picks debut; Zanetello moves up
Four pitchers made their professional baseball debuts this past week for the FCL Red Sox. Matt Duffy, Max Carlson, Zach Fogell, and Blake Wehunt all have thrown one inning so far without allowing a run. This means that nine of the Red Sox 2023 draft picks have now made their organizational debuts. Second round selection Nazzan Zanetello has also made his Salem Red Sox debut this past week. He has played in one game so far there and gone 1 for 2 with a single and an RBI.
Podcast episode #292
In the latest episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast, Chris and Ian discuss the aggressiveness of promotions throughout the system of late. This has been going on across baseball as well, as the Angels have already had a 2023 draft pick make their MLB debut. In addition to Zanetello, Sox top draft pick Kyle Teel moved up a level after just three games in the FCL. Chris and Ian dig deeper into the topic, while also discussing more promotions and answering some questions.
Players of the Week
Matthew Lugo, INF/OF, Portland Sea Dogs
4 G, 13 AB, 8 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 4 K, .615/.667/.923
After getting a three-game taste of Double-A in 2022, Lugo has spent the entire 2023 season with the Sea Dogs. After a bit of a slow start at the plate, Lugo has found his swing of late. Over his past 100 plate appearances, he is hitting .302/.390/.442 with six doubles and two home runs. He hit safely in all four of his games last week and capped it off by going 4 for 4 on Sunday. Lugo has moved around defensively this year as well. After playing over 70 games at shortstop in both 2021 and 2022, Lugo has played over 230 innings at both third base and left field this season.
Brandon Walter, LHP, Worcester Red Sox
2 G, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 12 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
Walter's great performances over his past two starts capped off an August that saw him post a 1.16 ERA in 23 1/3 innings. He has now strung together three consecutive starts of at least five innings and no more than one run allowed. The lefty struck out six in each of his last two starts as well. Walter had a six-game stint in Boston during the month of July and pitched well, posting a 3.07 ERA with nine strikeouts in 14 2/3 frames.
Photo Credit: Wilyer Abreu and Matthew Lugo by Kelly O'Connor