Fort Report: SoxProspects team makes annual trip to spring training

With several Red Sox mainstays returning from the World Baseball Classic and the season approaching in just over a week, playing time in major league camp has been harder to come by for Boston’s prospects. Still, several exciting Red Sox minor leaguers made appearances in the Grapefruit League over the last week. The SoxProspects.com crew has been taking it all in during the team’s annual trip to Fort Myers, and Director of Scouting Ian Cundall has been posting video and scouting updates on Twitter. One of the highlights of the spring for prospect lovers, the Spring Breakout Game, is set to take place this Friday against the Orioles. 

Red Sox sign Danny Coulombe

The Red Sox added to their bullpen on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1 million with Danny Coulombe. Coulombe had a 2.30 ERA in 43 innings between Minnesota and Texas last season and will help to shore up a lack of proven left-handed relief depth behind closer Aroldis Chapman, as Jovani Moran and Tyler Samaniego, who is yet to make his MLB debut, are the only other left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster. 

Updates on position battles

If Coulombe is ready for Opening Day, then he will join Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, and Zack Kelly as near locks to start the season in the Red Sox bullpen. Moran, who tossed four scoreless innings for Puerto Rico in the WBC, also has a strong chance to make the team as a third lefty with MLB experience. However, the final spot in the bullpen is still up in the air. Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson has struggled this spring, allowing six runs on 11 hits in 9 1/3 innings, opening a chance for one or more of Boston's minor league signings to crack the Opening Day roster. Among the relief depth added on minor league deals this winter, Tayron Guerrero has been the most impressive in Grapefruit League action, striking out eight batters and allowing one run in nine innings, with Kyle Keller and Seth Martinez also in the mix. 

The Red Sox entered spring training with offseason acquisition Johan Oviedo reportedly battling with the top two pitching prospects in the system, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early (pictured, left), for the fifth slot in the rotation. As most established option, Oviedo likely had the inside track for the role coming into camp. He has further solidified his grasp on a rotation spot with a strong spring, posting a 1.59 ERA and striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings. While it would be a surprise to see Tolle or Early break camp in the major league rotation barring any injuries to Boston's starting staff, they have both shown exciting flashes this spring. Early has made three starts (one relief appearance) and has delivered a 2.25 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 3 walks. He built up to 62 pitches in a start on Thursday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. 

Infielder Romy Gonzalez underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his shoulder and was moved to the 60-day injured list. Per Jen McCaffrey, Gonzalez's surgery was a "best case scenario" and he hopes to return as soon as he is eligible in late May. The absence of Gonzalez, an important platoon bat in a lefty-heavy lineup, opens a spot for another right-handed hitter on the bench. The candidates for this role include offseason acquisition Andruw Monasterio, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard, who is a switch-hitter but hits better from the right side. 

Ward sets stolen base record

Last Thursday, outfielder Braiden Ward (pictured, right) stole his 17th base of the spring, setting a new record for stolen bases in Grapefruit League history. Ward has been an unlikely star of spring training for the Red Sox, hitting .368/.478/.421 and he has picked up one more steal since setting the record. Ward stole 57 bases between the Rockies' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates last year and was acquired this offseason in exchange for Brennan Bernardino. 

Where are they now? 

Jedixson Paez and Angel Bastardo, a pair of right-handed pitchers who have spent significant time on the SoxProspects.com rankings in recent seasons, are currently competing for major league roles in other teams' camps after being picked in the Rule 5 draft. Paez has struck out eight batters in 6 2/3 innings with the White Sox but he has also allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks. Bastardo's fastball has touched 98 mph this spring but he has struggled with his control in his return from Tommy John Surgery, walking five batters in 5 2/3 innings. 

Minor leaguers in MLB games 

Since our last Fort Report on March 10, the following Red Sox minor leaguers who are not in major league camp appeared in at least one Grapefruit League game: 

Pitchers: Cooper Adams, Michael Sansone, Reidis Sena

Position Players: Antonio Anderson, Enddy Azocar, Anderson Fermin, Skylar King, Andrews Opata, Caden Rosę, Corey Rosier, Stanley Tucker

Photo Credit: Connelly Early and Braiden Ward by Kelly O'Connor

Tweet