Sorry about all the gaps between prospect lists, but we at Baseball Essential will try and get some out to everyone over the next couple weeks, once again. Here is our list for the Boston Red Sox:
1. Michael Chavis, 3B
Rating: B+
Risk: Low
ETA: Late-2018
Chavis just looks like an all-star waiting to happen. Offensively, the mix of hitting for average and power is scary and his arm fits very well at third base. The only concern is his strikeout rate, however as a 22-year-old, he has plenty of time to adjust.
2. Jay Groome, LHP
Rating: B+
Risk: High
ETA: 2019
Talent-wise, you aren’t going to find many pitchers better than Groome. The Red Sox should consider themselves lucky that he fell all the way to them. There’s really nothing not to like about him performance-wise. The make-up issues are concerning, however, they can be dealt with.
3. Mike Shawaryn, RHP
Rating: B+
Risk: Low
ETA: Late-2019
There is nothing about Mike Shawaryn not to like. He has plus control and a well-rounded repertoire and he should be up early in 2019. Expect him to rise up the prospect boards going into 2018.
4. C.J. Chatham, SS
Rating: B/B+
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2019
The glove is great and his hit tool is better than analysts think. Andrelton Simmons is a good comp, however subtracting a little power and putting it into the on base department.
5. Tanner Houck, RHP
Rating: B/B+
Risk: High
ETA: 2019
This kid has a fastball that can top out at 98 mph and he can control it extremely well. There have been some doubts about his ability to remain a starter due to his arm-slot and his secondaries, however there’s no reason to doubt the secondaries. At the very least, they are reliable league average pitches. A lot to like here.
6. Josh Ockimey, 1B
Rating: B
Risk: Medium
ETA: Late-2018
Say what you will about the kid as an athlete, he has undeniable power from the left-side and has very strong plate discipline. He may be the source of power the Sox are looking for.
7. Dedgar Jimenez, LHP
Rating: B
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2018
Dedgar Jimenez is very, very solid. He is a 21-year-old lefty who posted a 3.02 ERA as a starter between Double-A and High-A. He’s a premier candidate to go in the Rule V Draft if he’s not protected, but I see him as a very legitimate No. 3 or No. 4 who sneaks up on you. He’s my sleeper of the system award.
8. Brian Johnson, LHP
Rating: B-
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Johnson needs a change of scenery. Seeing as how he will be out of minor league options next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him picked up off of waivers and absolutely breaking out. There have been no signs to suggest he can not reach his ceiling as a mid rotation arm.
9. Travis Lakins, RHP
Rating: B-
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Lakins has great velocity and amazing secondaries. The control is a slight question, however at 23, he still has time to work through it. His ceiling is as a No. 2, and his floor as a back-end Wily Peralta type.
10. Jake Thompson, RHP
Rating: B-
Risk: Low
ETA: 2019
Overall, they have been saying that he could be moved to a relief role to expedite his track to the major leagues. His upside is sky high as a reliever, however he has looked comfortable thus far as a starter and could eventually be a middle rotation type.
11. Roniel Raudes, RHP
Rating: B-
Risk: High
ETA: 2020
Rauldes isn’t going to blow you away, however one thing to remember is that he will be just 20 for the entirety of 2018 and seems likely to start in High-A with the chance to reach Double-A. He should be able to take a few steps forward this season.
12. Alex Scherff, RHP
Rating: B-
Risk: High
ETA: 2021
He’s a fireballer with a good change, however he comes with doubts. He looks like a legitimate injury risk due to his delivery and believe it would be in his best interest to move him to a high-leverage relief role right out of the gate. He could be absolutely dominant out of the pen, however he’s a bit far away
13. Sam Travis, 1B
Rating: B-/C+
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2018
Travis is a good hitter, but he lacks the defensive ability or speed to play anywhere else other than first (well) and he lacks the power typical to a first baseman. He looks like a second-division starter at first base, best-case scenario.
14. Cole Brannen, OF
Rating: B-/C+
Risk: High
ETA: 2021
He has good speed and plate discipline, however his power potential and his contact ability are questionable. There is certainly a very high ceiling here, however he has a long way to go. At the very least, he looks like a very stellar fourth outfielder.
15. Jalen Beeks, LHP
Rating: C+
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2018
There is no reason that he can stick as a starter. He has solid control, an above-average change and he’s a left-hander. He has done well as a starter in the minors.
16. Hildemaro Requena, RHP
Rating: C+
Risk: High
ETA: Mid-2019
Requena needs to move full-time to the bullpen. While he may lack velocity, his curve is absolutely crazy. He looks like an eighth inning guy.
17. Esteban Quiroz, SS
Rating: C+
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2018
Quiroz is an absolute beast. He has outstanding strike zone judgement and surprising power for his size. Overall, you will see a lot of him over the next few years. He’s a personal favorite of mine.
18. Josh Tobias, 2B
Rating: C+
Risk: Medium
ETA: Late-2018
There’s a lot to like about Tobias’ bat, however his glove is a huge question and he doesn’t have standard DH power. He would fit as a bottom of the order guy starting in left field.
19. Bryan Mata, RHP
Rating: C+
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2022
Mata isn’t going to blow you away, but his control is very stellar and his velocity isn’t too bad either (95). While he’s not going to be an ace, he would fit well as a No. 3 or No. 4.
20. Bobby Dalbec, 3B
Rating: C+
Risk: High
ETA: 2020
The problem with Dalbec is that he does not have much in terms of defensive ability of speed and has never been able to hit for much in terms of average. Overall, he looks like a home run or nothing type of bench guy.
21. Danny Diaz, SS
Rating: C+
Risk: Very High
ETA: 2023
Based on his physical profile and skill set, he definitely moves to the hot corner in the near future. Nevertheless, he’s too far away to accurately assess.
22. Tzu-Wei Lin, INF
Rating: C+/C
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Lin is very solid. While he’s probably not going to hit .300, he seems to me to be a .240/.350/.340 line with 25 stolen bases and Gold Glove level defense around the diamond.
23. Austin Maddox, RHP
Rating: C/C+
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Maddox is very stellar in terms of velocity (97 mph) and changeup. Overall, he looks like a seventh inning reliever with setup (eighth) with improvements in control.
24. Kyle Martin, RHP
Rating: C/C+
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Martin has a plus changeup and a solid fastball, which makes him a good bet to become a mainstay middle reliever as opposed to a taxi guy.
25. Darwinzon Hernandez, LHP
Rating: C/C+
Risk: High
ETA: 2021
The velocity from the left side from Hernandez is a plus, however, the control certainly isn’t there and I believe he is moved to relief soon. It’ll be interesting to see how he would perform in the bullpen before judging him, however there is an endless ceiling as a reliever with the floor of organizational depth.
26. Aneury Tavarez, OF
Rating: C
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Tavarez has all of the tools to be a rather stellar fourth outfielder. He has good speed and there’s a lot of potential for him to hit for average.
27. Williams Jerez, LHP
Rating: C
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Jerez is a lefty with a huge fastball. That alone will make sure he gets an opportunity in the majors, however if he wants to stick, he needs to work on his poor control.
28. Chandler Shepherd, RHP
Rating: C
Risk: Low
ETA: 2018
Shepard has great control, decent, albeit unspectacular secondaries and a 95 mph fastball. He justs hit relatively hard. He looks like a perennial 3.90-4.30 ERA guy in relief like a Rob Scahill.
29. Jake Cosart, RHP
Rating: C
Risk: Low
ETA: Late-2018
Cosart has a huge fastball and above average secondaries, but he doesn’t know where it’s going. I see him as a taxi-squad guy who shows flashes of brilliance and looks awful other times.
30. Chad De La Guerra, 2B
Rating: C
Risk: Low
ETA: Late-2018
He’s pretty average across the board. He looks like a utility infielder who can hit .250/.310/.440 with a .750 OPS and solid, albeit unspectacular defense.
31. Zach Schellenger, RHP
Rating: C
Risk: High
ETA: 2019
The fastball is certainly enticing and his makeup is second to none, as long as he can stay healthy and work on his control,we could be looking at a closer. He’s another favorite of mine.
32. Lorenzo Cedrola, OF
Rating: C
Risk: High
ETA: 2020
The speed and the glove are great, however he doesn’t walk, he might hit .270/.310/.340 with 10 stolen bases. He seems like a defense-first fourth outfielder.
33. Brett Netzer, 3B
Rating: C
Risk: Medium
ETA: 2019
Netzer is polished and relatively solid, however, he probably moves to second over time based on his lack of fielding ability. He reminds me of Johnny Giavotella.
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