Minor Notes: Anthony is MLB’s new No. 1 prospect per BA; Penrod makes MLB debut

With the playoff hopes of the MLB and Triple-A teams dwindling, there are likely less than two weeks left of the baseball season for Red Sox fans. Portland came up just short of a playoff spot, as Worcester is now the lone active affiliate. Even with limited playoff activity, the future looks bright for Boston as they are well-represented on the national prospect lists. 

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Anthony is Baseball America's new top prospect

With the graduation of Junior Caminero, Roman Anthony (pictured) is now the top prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America (BA). He is the first Red Sox player to be considered the game's top prospect since Andrew Benintendi in 2017. Three other WooSox teammates joined Anthony in the top 25, with Marcelo Mayer (10), Kristian Campbell (24), and Kyle Teel (25) all ranking highly. 

Geoff Pontes of BA joined Ian on the latest episode of the Podcast. They discuss Anthony's ascension to the top of the BA Top 100 and Campbell's meteoric rise. Geoff also provided first-hand reports of Mikey Romero and David Sandlin from Portland. 

Portland season ends

The Sea Dogs season ended on Sunday as they finished 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot. Their final roster can be found on our Rosters page. Blake Wehunt did get a cup of coffee with Portland during its final week, and he allowed five runs over five innings in a start on Wednesday. 

Portland announced their team awards, with Anthony being named the team's MVP. Isaac Coffey won the Pitcher of the Year award, Campbell was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and Elih Marrero won the Charlie Eshbach-Citizen of the Year award. 

Worcester a long shot to make the playoffs

The WooSox are 4.5 games out of a playoff spot with six games to play. If they are not able to win out and get some help, their season will end on September 22. 

Dalbec outrighted to Worcester

After being designated for assignment, Bobby Dalbec cleared waivers and was assigned to Worcester. He is now off the 40-man roster. 

Penrod makes MLB debut; Heineman designated for assignment

Zach Penrod (pictured) was added to the 40-man roster and made two scoreless appearances against the Yankees over the weekend. It is an exciting outcome that very few people could have seen coming after Penrod was signed out of the independent Pioneer League in August of 2023. The left-hander averaged 95 mph with his fastball while throwing his changeup and slider effectively. To make room for Penrod, Tyler Heineman got designated for assignment. 

Mata and Sims begin rehab assignments

Bryan Mata and Lucas Sims started rehab assignments with Worcester. Mata has had various injuries over the year including a right hamstring strain, a lat strain, and, most recently, right elbow inflammation. These have limited him to 22 2/3 innings on the year. 

Sims was a trade deadline acquisition, but threw only 10 innings and pitched to an 8.10 ERA with Boston before going down with a right lat strain. 

Booser and Kelly optioned to Wocester, Horn recalled

The Red Sox optioned Cam Booser and Zack Kelly to Worcester while recalling Bailey Horn. Booser was sent down a day after allowing a go-ahead grand slam to Aaron Judge. Kelly has had a solid season overall, but has hit a wall in September. In 4 1/3 innings over seven appearances he has surrendered 10 runs with five walks. 

Key links

Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette posted a feature on WooSox PR guru Bill Wanless. Wanless is about to wrap up his 40th season in minor league baseball. He joined the PawSox as an intern in 1985, and is now the WooSox Senior Vice President of Communications.

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Players of the Week for September 9-15

Kyle Teel, C/DH, Worcester Red Sox

5 G, 12 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 7 R, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 4 K, .500/.684/.750

Teel has put a slow Triple-A start behind him as he is battling with teammate Vaughn Grissom in the September Player of the Month race. Teel edged out Grissom this week thanks in part to drawing seven walks in 19 plate appearances. After starting 6 for 51 over his first 13 games for the WooSox, Teel has pushed his OPS to .688 with the recent hot streak. The system's fourth-ranked prospect will look to close out a successful first full season on the road in Lehigh Valley this week. 

Jason Alexander, RHP, Worcester Red Sox

2 G, 1-0, 11 IP, 8 H, 4R, 0 BB, 15 K

Alexander put up one of the best starts of the season this week as he struck out a career-high 11 over seven shutout innings on Wednesday. Also included in his numbers is a start from August 11 that got suspended and completed on Tuesday. In all, he is credited with 15 strikeouts and no walks over 11 innings, but it is really the start from Wednesday that put him over the top. The 31-year-old has had an up-and-down season for Worcester, but he will look to end it on a high note with one more start in what has been a stellar September. 

Photo Credit: Roman Anthony and Zach Penrod by Kelly O'Connor

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