By Andrew Lipsett
Today at 2pm – with me in attendance – both the Lowell Spinners and Pawtucket Red Sox will be playing regular season contests at Fenway Park. The games will both be broadcast on NESN. Here are a few names to watch on each team:
Lowell
SP: Kris Johnson – Johnson, a supplemental 1st round pick by the Sox in the 2006 draft, has been fantastic to this point for the Spinners. Coming off Tommy John surgery his final year of college, Kris is now near full strength and is among the most exciting low-level prospects the Sox have: Soxprospects.com ranks him 7th overall, and the top prospect at Lowell. He is Lowell’s starting pitcher today.
C: Jonathan Egan – a member of the 2005 draft class, Egan has come back from an unfortunate drug bust last season to prove his worth with the bat for the champion GCL Red Sox this season. He has been recently recalled to Lowell, and presumably will see PT today. Currently ranked 15th overall in the Sox system by Soxprospects.
OF: Zach Daeges – another member of the 2006 class, Daeges has put up strong numbers with an excellent batting eye for Lowell this season.
OF: Ryan Kalish – a ‘tough sign’ of the 2006 class, Kalish – a NJ native and lifelong Sox fan – has recently been called up to Lowell from the GCL. He put up extremely promising numbers for the GL Sox, and is a very exciting power prospect. Ranked 34th overall by Soxprospects.
3B: Manny Arrambis – 20 year old Venezuelan 3B with decent power potential. Ranked 33rd overall by Soxprospects.
RP: Justin Masterson – a college reliever, Masterson has dominated the New York Penn League this year, with an exceptional 28/2 K/BB ratio in 24 innings of work. He is one of a few exciting relief prospects in the low minors, along with Bryce Cox and…
RP: Josh Papelbon – younger brother of Sox closer Jonathan, the younger Pap has shown that he has skills of his own in Lowell, notching 9 saves and K’ing 26 over 24 innings, walking just 3. He’s a submariner with slow stuff, but his deceptive delivery and breaking stuff give him an edge.
Pawtucket
SP: Lenny DiNardo – Sox fans are already familiar with DiNardo, who has been up and down with the club for three seasons, and made some fill-in starts in early 2006. Coming off a long-term neck injury, DiNardo is a definite candidate for spot starts and bullpen duty at Fenway in September; he’ll get reacquainted tonight as the PawSox’ starter.
OF: David Murphy – After an incredibly hot start to his Pawtucket career, Murphy has cooled off, but is still hitting .269/.361/.446 with 7 homers. There have been rumblings that he may be dealt in the offseason, so check him out while you can. Currently ranked 6th overall by Soxprospects.
RP: Craig Hansen – You know the deal.
1B: Carlos Pena – the current holder of the Honorary Roberto Petagine 1B spot on Pawtucket’s roster, Pena – a Northeastern alum – was claimed off waivers earlier this season and is tearing up Pawtucket. A strong candidate for a September call-up.
Enjoy the games – I know I will.
