Cup of Coffee: Cespedes, Arias lead FCL Sox

5/28 Cup of Coffee: One of these years, minor league baseball will figure out how to find flexibility with its usual Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule in order to get some games on a Monday holiday. Until that time, Yoeilin Cespedes (pictured) is around to provide an entire farm system's worth of highlights. 

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FCL Red Sox 4, FCL Braves 3

Yoeilin Cespedes, Franklin Arias, and Ovis Portes have been three of the FCL Sox' most reliable performers in their season's first month, and all three played prominent roles in Monday's victory. Cespedes had half of the Sox' four hits, including a decisive two-run homer in the sixth inning that gave his team a lead they wouldn't relinquish. He finished 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs driven in. Arias was also on base three times, tallying a single and two walks. He also stole a base and scored two runs as he raised his on-base percentage to .429. It was a rare quiet day at the plate for Andruw Musett, who failed to reach base for only the second time all season. 

Yordanny Monegro made what will very likely be his final rehab start before taking the spot in the Greenville rotation previously occupied by the recently-promoted Luis Perales. Monegro went four innings in the tuneup, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out five without issuing a walk. Portes fired another three scoreless innings of relief to get credit for the win. The 19-year-old out of Antigua has yet to allow a run in 13 innings across four appearances. Deybi Salcedo picked up the save, giving up one run in two innings. 

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Player of the Day: It was another day for Yoeilin Cespedes to be at the forefront of activities for the FCL Sox. After a 2-for-13 start to the season, the18-year-old Cespedes is 11 for 31 with seven extra-base hits in eight games. His efforts on Monday raised his slash line to .295/.373/.568 on the year, and he is currently ranked the fifth prospect in the Boston system.

Photo Credit: Yoeilin Cespedes by Kelly O'Connor

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