The Boston Red Sox did not make the postseason last season for the first time since 2015. They have yet to add any significant pieces this offseason, and there is not much immediate help on the way from their farm system. However, the more I looked into their prospects, the more I found that I was interested in it. With that said, let’s get into the names that are starting to make their way up prospect rankings.
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Tristan Casas (1B)
Tristan Casas was drafted 26th overall in 2018 and is the best prospect the Red Sox have to offer. That is not good news for Red Sox fans as Casas does not show up until after the top 50 prospects on most lists. With that said, Casas does offer left-handed power-hitting upside. In his first full professional season, Casas slashed .254/.349/.472. At only 19 years old, he was one of the youngest players in the Sally League and was able to produce a 136 wRC+. The best-case scenario for Casas is a middle of the order home run and run batted in producer. The big hit first, first basemen only type prospect is a dying breed in today’s MLB, but if Casas can prove to hit, he will find himself in the middle of the hitter in the future. The earliest I would expect to see Casas in the MLB is 2021.
Bobby Dalbec (3B)
Bobby Dalbec (3B) slashed .239/.356/.460 across AA and AAA during the 2019 season. Dalbec, technically, is a third baseman, but he began working at first base in 2018 and has a chance to start the year as the Red Sox starting first basemen. The raw power is legit and could play very well in Fenway hitting balls on and over the green monster. The strikeout rate is concerning for Dalbec, in 2018 it was well over 30% (31% in 100 games at A+ and 37.1% in 29 games at AA); however, he was able to make improvements in 2019 bringing that mark to 25.1% (105 games) in AA and 23.6% (30 games) in AAA. The walk rate is what is interesting. In AA, it was at 15.5%, and in AAA, the rate dipped to 4.1%. If the walk rate does not return, I do not see Dalbec producing the desired Fantasy results.
Thad Ward (RHP)
Thad Ward (RHP) had an outstanding year in his first full professional season in 2019. Ward came out of the bullpen in college, but the Red Sox drafted him to start and have been developing him to do just that. Ward started the season in Low-A starting 13 games, 72.1 IP 87 Ks 25 BBs, then moving to High-A where things did not slow down starting 12 games, 54 IP 70 Ks 32 BB. Wards calling card is his Slider, which sits 81-85, and he can control it for strikes and use it is as an out pitch, getting hitters to chase outside of the zone. Ward throws more of a two-seam fastball that sits 92-94 with sink. His third pitch is the changeup, which is more of a show-me pitch and needs more development to become a plus pitch. If Ward can continue to show improvements with his command, he should stick in the rotation and could develop into a mid-rotation starter with upside as a two.
Bryan Mata (RHP)
Bryan Mata (RHP) made significant improvements in 2019. 105 IP 111 Ks 42 BBs. Mata works with a mid-90s two-seam fastball and a plus slider/cutter (depending on what site you look at) and a changeup that still needs development. Mata needs to continue with improvements in throwing strikes and limiting walks to stick in the rotation. Mata does have a high upside, but many believe Mata will eventually end up in the bullpen in the MLB.
Names to watch for 2020 – Gilberto Jimenez (OF), Jay Groome (LHP), and Jarren Duran (OF).
Jimenez slashed .359/.393/.470 in rookie ball. Jimenez is a burner but is still learning how to steal bases going 30 for 50 in 2019.
Groome, a big LHP with potential but has struggled to stay healthy to this point, only logging four innings in 2019. A former 1st round pick worth keeping an eye to see if the stuff is still legit.
Duran is starting to make some noise as a prospect. Slashed .302/.367/.403 with speed, stealing 46 bases and getting caught 13 times, over two levels at High-A and AA.