Costello: Some notes from the farm
It was a good week for the BoSox, going 4-1 heading into Sunday’s match-up against the Seattle Mariners. I was at the game on Wednesday (Tek’s Walk-Off), and the atmosphere was incredible. I was sitting in RF Box 88, right near Pesky’s Pole, and had a great view for the shot, almost coming right at me. Wade Miller continues to impress, and was on his way to a nice start until he fatigued and left two two-seam fastballs in a row a little too high in the zone, allowing back-to-back homeruns. His curve is simply filthy, and when he strengthens his heater will be around 95-96mph consistently. Arroyo’s streak continued thanks to Kevin Millar’s 2nd HR of the season, the streak is now 16 consecutive starts without a loss, amazing when you consider this is a guy who was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates…
Down on the farm, things are looking up for more than a couple prospects. Cla Meredith (the 2005 Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April) has been called up to the big league club, and although the results have been poor so far, you have not seen the best of this kid. His sinker has been flat, and he has not mixed his change or slider in, if he hits his spots and gets ahead of hitters, he can unleash a slider or change to keep hitters on their toes. When he has gotten ahead of hitters, he has been effective. Hanley Ramirez hit his seventh triple of the season, and although has no homeruns, is putting up an impressive .816 OPS from the SS position.
Anibal Sanchez is off to a great start for the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High A-Ball Affiliate). Sanchez has put up a 3-1 record to go along with 55 strikeouts to only 6 walks. Sanchez could possibly be the most exciting prospect in the system, with a mid-90s fastball with control and good secondary pitches. He is only 21 years of age, and whispers are floating around he could be promoted to AA Portland very shortly. Stay tuned.
Dustin Pedroia is off to yet another fast start in the minors for the Red Sox. Their first pick of the 2004 draft, he has made a seamless transition from shortstop (where he was national defensive player of the year at Arizona State), to second base, where so far this season for Portland has put up a .900 OPS from the 2B position. With Bellhorn not under contract for ’06, do not be surprised to see Dustin patrolling second base at Fenway Park next season.
One more quick thought…with Billy Mueller (a favorite of mine) playing so poorly this season thus far, how much longer does the front office and Tito wait to start plugging in Kevin Youkillis. All Youks has done since being called up is get on-base, hit for some pop, and play solid D. He is most likely the Third baseman of the future, and it will be an interesting development to pay attention to as the season moves along.
-Matt Costello
Down on the farm, things are looking up for more than a couple prospects. Cla Meredith (the 2005 Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April) has been called up to the big league club, and although the results have been poor so far, you have not seen the best of this kid. His sinker has been flat, and he has not mixed his change or slider in, if he hits his spots and gets ahead of hitters, he can unleash a slider or change to keep hitters on their toes. When he has gotten ahead of hitters, he has been effective. Hanley Ramirez hit his seventh triple of the season, and although has no homeruns, is putting up an impressive .816 OPS from the SS position.
Anibal Sanchez is off to a great start for the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High A-Ball Affiliate). Sanchez has put up a 3-1 record to go along with 55 strikeouts to only 6 walks. Sanchez could possibly be the most exciting prospect in the system, with a mid-90s fastball with control and good secondary pitches. He is only 21 years of age, and whispers are floating around he could be promoted to AA Portland very shortly. Stay tuned.
Dustin Pedroia is off to yet another fast start in the minors for the Red Sox. Their first pick of the 2004 draft, he has made a seamless transition from shortstop (where he was national defensive player of the year at Arizona State), to second base, where so far this season for Portland has put up a .900 OPS from the 2B position. With Bellhorn not under contract for ’06, do not be surprised to see Dustin patrolling second base at Fenway Park next season.
One more quick thought…with Billy Mueller (a favorite of mine) playing so poorly this season thus far, how much longer does the front office and Tito wait to start plugging in Kevin Youkillis. All Youks has done since being called up is get on-base, hit for some pop, and play solid D. He is most likely the Third baseman of the future, and it will be an interesting development to pay attention to as the season moves along.
-Matt Costello
posted by Jared at
2:44 PM
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