September 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Mayer shut down; Meidroth and Troye shine for Portland
Salem's season comes to an end; Greenville prepares for playoffs
The final two games of Salem's season were rained out and will not be made up. With a second-half record of 25-39 and a final record of 55-27, the Red Sox failed to qualify for postseason play. The Carolina Mudcats (MIL) and Down East Wood Ducks (TEX) will instead represent the North division in the Carolina League playoffs.
Greenville, meanwhile, secured its spot in the South Atlantic League playoffs by winning the South Division first-half title back in June. After going just 27-39 in the second half, though, the Drive now find themselves limping into the postseason. They will open a best-of-three series on the road against the Hickory Crawdads (TEX) on Tuesday.
Moving on to the upper levels of the system, Worcester trails first-place Durham by 4 1/2 games with 12 regular season games remaining. Portland has just six regular season games left but has already been eliminated from postseason contention.
New podcast episode
On Episode No. 293 of the SoxProspects Podcast, Chris and Ian discuss Ian's recent trip to Greenville, where he got a first look at fast-rising prospects Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel before their promotions to Portland. They also cover other recent news stories, such as Ceddanne Rafaela's call-up, and answer reader emails.
Mayer's season ends prematurely
Last Wednesday, it was revealed that top prospect Marcelo Mayer had been shut down for the remainder of the minor-league season due to a left elbow injury. Mayer, who was originally placed on Portland's injured list with left shoulder inflammation in early August, has already reported to Fort Myers and will focus on his rehab at Boston's Fenway South complex.
Mayer, 20, made the jump from Portland to Greenville in late May. In 43 games with the Sea Dogs, the left-handed hitting shortstop batted .189/.254/.355 with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs, 20 runs driven in, four stolen bases, 15 walks, and 49 strikeouts over 190 plate appearances. He is expected to take part in the team's instructional program, which gets underway this week.
Guerrero earns promotion to Worcester
Like Mayer, Luis Guerrero represented Boston at July's All-Star Futures Game in Seattle. The hard-throwing right-hander has since been promoted to Worcester after posting a 1.81 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 30 walks in 43 relief appearances (49 2/3 innings) for Portland this season. In his first two outings with the WooSox, Guerrero has allowed two earned runs on one hit, four walks, and two strikeouts over 1 1/3 innings.
Paxton shut down as Robertson returns
Before Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, the Red Sox placed James Paxton on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation, effectively ending the left-hander's season. Paxton, 34, pitched very well in the first half of his debut season with Boston but struggled to a 7.62 ERA in his last six starts dating back to August 4.
Paxton's spot in the starting rotation will be taken by Nick Pivetta. His spot on the active roster, on the other hand, was taken by righty reliever Nick Robertson. Acquired from the Dodgers alongside Justin Hagenman in the July trade that sent Enrique Hernandez back to Los Angeles, Robertson debuted for the Red Sox in early August before being sent back down to Worcester. In his second stint with the WooSox, the 25-year-old produced a 3.97 ERA with 12 strikeouts to three walks over 11 appearances (11 1/3 innings). He returned to the big-league mound in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over Baltimore and retired the side in order.
In two other roster moves made Sunday, the Red Sox reinstated Garrett Whitlock from the bereavement list and optioned Joe Jacques to Worcester. Whitlock had been away from the team after his younger brother, Gavrie, tragically drowned in Georgia's Lake Lanier last Saturday.
Rehab updates
Zack Kelly (recovering from elbow surgery) had his rehab assignment transferred from Greenville to Salem last Tuesday. The 28-year-old righty appeared in two games (one start) for the Red Sox, allowing three earned runs in one inning of work. Veterans Corey Kluber (right shoulder inflammation) and Pablo Reyes (left shoulder inflammation) began rehab assignments with Worcester over the weekend. There is a chance all three of Kelly, Kluber, and Reyes could return to the big-league club before the season comes to a close.
Old friend alert
Marques Johnson, who the Red Sox dealt to the Giants for reliever Mauricio Llovera in late July, was named the California League Pitcher of the Week for the week of September 4-10 on Monday. The 23-year-old righty made two appearances for San Francisco’s Low-A affiliate in San Jose in its most recent series against the Stockton Ports and did not allow a run in five innings of relief. As a matter of fact, he has not given up an earned run in 11 outings since switching organizations ahead of the trade deadline.
Players of the Week
Chase Meidroth, IF, Portland Sea Dogs
6 G, 16 AB, 6 H, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 5 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 5 BB, 2 K
Christopher Troye, RHP, Portland Sea Dogs
2 G, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Portland winds up sweeping this week's awards, as Christopher Troye (pictured, bottom right) put together impressive performances out of the bullpen on both Tuesday and Friday. Since returning from the injured list on July 22, Troye has pitched to a 3.63 ERA and 2.46 FIP with 25 strikeouts to 10 walks in his last 12 relief appearances (17 1/3 innings pitched). Opponents are only batting .194 against him during that stretch. The 24-year-old righty is currently regarded as the No. 39 prospect in the organization, which ranks 15th among pitchers.
Photo Credit: Chase Meidroth and Christopher Troye by Kelly O'Connor