As I’m on shift at Rotoworld.com, I noticed the Red Sox have made a couple more signings. Mike took a look at the previous batch. Let’s quickly go through the new names alphabetically (Oh, and the depth chart is updated):
2B Ray Chang: Middle name “Bo-shue.” Cool. Comes over from Pirates and is entering age 26 year. Was only American-born player on Team China in 2009 World Baseball Classic, hit .297/.385/.414 in 296 at-bats spanning high-A and AA. Slight chance of value, but probably not. Probably begin year in Portland, could see time in Pawtucket.
3B Christian Colonel: The 27-year old (in 2009, so add a year) impressed in Rockies spring training camp, but didn’t land a bench spot. Hit .279/.348/.386 with seven home runs a year after posting a .838 OPS. Probably will battle for playing time in Pawtucket but might be marginalized if Boston gets Jorge Jimenez, plucked in the Rule 5 draft, returned.
RP Chad Paronto: 2009 with Houston: 12.15 ERA in 81. IP. 1.39 ERA in 51.2 innings for the Triple-A club. Entering age 34 year. Does nothing great, does nothing terrible. Will compete in name only for the open bullpen spot, spend most of the year at Pawtucket… don’t rule out a promotion due to injury. Success in 2005 and 2006 as middle reliever for Braves.
RP Scott Patterson: Coming over from the Athletics, Patterson will enter his age-31 year. He has 4.2 major league innings to his name, between the Yankees and Padres in 2008. Split 2009 between the Padres and Athletics, had a 6.2 BB/9 in 2009 which was uncharacteristic of him. Should spend all year in Triple-A and depending on production, could leapfrog Paronto in organizational depth.
RP Kelvin Pichardo: Will be 24 and has the most intriguing value of this bunch. Was suspended in March for 50 games for performance enhancement usage. Appeared in just two innings the whole year, as he was put on the 60-day disabled list June 29th with a right shoulder strain. In 2008, Pichardo posted a 2.48 ERA in 61 IP. With previous history of starting, it wouldn’t shock me if the club tried him in a swingman’s role in Pawtucket.
It’s going to be interesting to see where these players and the previously-inked players fit — most of them belong in Triple-A but there are only 24 spots to go around.