The Red Sox don’t have a manager yet, they don’t have a right fielder, and their bullpen needs plenty of work. There’s plenty to be done before the season begins. But that doesn’t mean that baseball isn’t being played. Seven Boston prospects are currently playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions, a team that is managed by Arnie Beyeler, the manager for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The team also features arguably the top two prospects in baseball, the Angel’s outfielder, Mike Trout, and Washington’s Bryce Harper, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, and the man who claims to have the longest recorded home run in Tropicana Field history. With the nationally televised Rising Stars Game tonight, this seems as good a time as any to check in on the youngsters. Keep in mind that all these sample sizes are extremely small.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B- One of the most well regarded players in the Sox’ system, Middlebrooks is hitting .250 over 56 at bats. He has shown good power, with four home runs. He’s added three doubles as well, and is OPSing .814. He’s struck out 19 times and walked four times, good for a .300 OBP.
Dan Butler, C- Butler is splitting catching duties with Hank Conger of the Angels, so he’s only had 33 at bats. But what a 33 at bats they have been. He’s hitting .364 with a home run and a double. On top of that, he’s shown good plate discipline, taking eleven walks, and only striking out four times. His .553 OBP and 1.038 OPS lead the team.
Alex Hassan, OF- He’s also hitting .250, but has an impressive .385 OBP in 52 at bats. He was off to a terrible start, but has picked things up lately, raising his SLG a full .100 points over the past week. It still only sits at 327 though.
Juan Carlos Linares, OF – After missing almost the entire season this year down in Pawtucket due to an ankle injury, Linares has hit only .111 in 18 at bats. His OBP is also .111 so his plate discipline certainly leaves something to be desired for. He hasn’t made an error so there’s that, I guess.
Brock Huntzinger, RHP – In 19 innings, he’s allowed twenty-seven hits, thirteen runs, and one home run. He’s struck out sixteen though, and only walked two, so his control has been solid, he just seems to be throwing too many strikes. He’s made four starts and two relief appearances.
Will Latimer, LHP – In 8 relief appearances (11.1 innings pitched) he’s allowed sixteen runs, good for a 12.71 ERA. Even more concerning is the fact that he’s given up four home runs. He’s walked three and struck out seven.
Jeremy Kehrt, RHP – In one start and six relief appearances (7.2 innings pitched) Kehrt has allowed eleven runs and struck out seven. He’s also allowed four home runs, certainly a disturbing trend. He’s 1-0 though so who’s complaining?
Since I know you were wondering, Harper is hitting .314 with six homers and 24 RBI’s in 70 at bats. His 1.030 is second on the team, behind only Dan Butler. He’s committed four errors, but something tells me he’ll be an all right player. Trout is hitting .268 with no homers, but five doubles.
Ryan Lavarnway was playing in the Venezuelan Winter Leagues but returned home after falling very ill after ten days. He played well in that time though going 5 for 14 with a double. The illness does not appear to be serious; Boston was just playing it safe.
Again, with such small samples, it’s unfair to use these stats to make any real judgment. Will Middlebrooks will still be one of the top players in Boston’s system, whether he improves his .250 batting average or not. And, something tells me that Dan Butler will not be the starting catcher next year, even if he does lead the Scottsdale Scorpions in average. With a long offseason just beginning, and with much left to do with the Major League club over these snowy months, it’s nice to know that there’s baseball being played somewhere.