Down on the Farm, 2019 edition

RoDaddy

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My personal scouting network reports Song mostly in mid-90s last night, topping out at 96 on the stadium gun.
I actually stopped by the stadium (the "Joe") today hoping to see the Sox working out (which I've seen in previous years but they weren't today) and people confirmed Song hitting 96 the night before

Another outstanding performance by McGrath today, and his ERA is now down to 1.34. He (and his 86 mph fastball) is starting to give off a Jamie Moyer-type vibe, at least at the AA level. We can only hope
 

kneemoe

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I actually stopped by the stadium (the "Joe") today hoping to see the Sox working out (which I've seen in previous years but they weren't today) and people confirmed Song hitting 96 the night before

Another outstanding performance by McGrath today, and his ERA is now down to 1.34. He (and his 86 mph fastball) is starting to give off a Jamie Moyer-type vibe, at least at the AA level. We can only hope
Not much in there, but due to Lowell's visit here there's an article in today's TU about Song
https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Red-Sox-prospect-embraces-military-commitment-14285737.php
and a write-up on the game itself
https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/ValleyCats-rout-Lowell-for-fifth-straight-win-14285968.php
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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Song's status is uncertain, although as of this moment he's due to honor his two-year commitment beginning November 1st.

Though the Red Sox officially signed fourth-round pick Noah Song out of Navy on Saturday and have assigned him to the Lowell Spinners to start his pro career, the team did so without any certainty that he will be able to defer the start of his military service, which is set to begin with flight school on Nov. 1. Though a presidential memo last month opened the possibility of military academy graduates deferring their military commitment in order to pursue pro sports careers, “nothing has really changed” with Song at this point, according to Red Sox VP of amateur scouting Mike Rikard.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Albert Feliz went 2/4 with a HR today, his 8th of the year. I believe that ties the Redsox DSL record, holding it with Victor Acosta who set it in 2013 in 264 PA. Feliz did it in 218. Bryan Gonzalez has 7 in 230.

And while his overall line isn't all that great, Ceddane Rafaela just hit his 4th HR today in 108 PA in the GCL. The 18 year old SS also has 9 sb in 9 attempts. .237/.312/.409 for the year with 9bb/17k, though the game is still in progress so his line may change. Don't know much about him but he looks like someone who's been very unlucky to date. Going into today's games, he had a .243 BAbip. He's also listed at 5'8 145 lbs so I'm guessing power isn't a part of his game but he hit 3 last year in the DSL too.
 

oumbi

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I actually stopped by the stadium (the "Joe") today hoping to see the Sox working out (which I've seen in previous years but they weren't today) and people confirmed Song hitting 96 the night before

Another outstanding performance by McGrath today, and his ERA is now down to 1.34. He (and his 86 mph fastball) is starting to give off a Jamie Moyer-type vibe, at least at the AA level. We can only hope
Just to add to the above on McGrath, here is from SoxProspects about his last outing.

Daniel McGrath stayed red-hot, outdueling Casey Mize in Portland's shutout victory. McGrath went the first seven innings, striking out nine while walking only two and allowing three hits. He also picked two of the five baserunners off of first base.

EDIT: Here, as a bonus, are Song's pitching stats in his brief pro career.
3 games
5 inning pitched
2 hits
0 runs of any sort
1 walk
7 strike outs
0.60 WHIP
 

RoDaddy

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Caught the last game of the Lowell-TriCity series tonight. Not much offense so not a lot to talk about there, but lefty Chris Murphy - drafted this year in the 6th round - started and went 4 impressive innings. He topped out at 95 (with decent movement), and showed an impressive array and speed of pitches (as slow as 70). Even more impressive was his curve, which had serious break. His weakness is reportedly control but not tonight. If he can continue to improve here, he looks like someone who could help the big club as a back-end starter or lefty reliever and better version of Bobby Poyner. Just thought i'd post on him as we gradually get to know more about the new draftees.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Bryan Gonzalez went 2/5 with a BB today, also hitting his 8th HR of the year. That ties him with Feliz and Acosta as the DSL Redsox record holders.

Duran went 1/3 with a BB and hit his 1st HR in AA today. He's been much better of late.

Josh Ockimey is on fire again. Went 1/3 and hit his 22nd HR of the season today. 5th HR in 9 games.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dalbec went 3/4 yesterday hitting his first HR in AAA. He's at .391/.417/.565 in his first 24 PA. 1bb/5k. Different ball.

Tzu-Wei Lin is finally hitting a little bit. Last 57 PA: .327/.368/.481.

Rafaela went 3/4 today, season line now at .257/.339/.455.

Darel Belen hit his 5th HR today in the DSL. He's having a good year but at 19 years old, he's very old for the league. .282/.368/.442 with the year with 12sb/4cs.

Casas went 2/3 with a triple yesterday. He's been struggling for awhile. Dating back to July 1st: 126 PA, .192/.333/.317, .230 BAbip, 19bb/27k. Looks like it may just be bad luck though.

Gilberto Jimenez continues to hit for average and has been hitting for more power lately. He's at .346/.376/.453 in 172 PA for the year with a .414 BAbip. 9sb/4cs.

Since June 1st, 2018 4th round pick Kole Cottam is hitting .295/.415/.485 with a .376 BAbip in 159 PA. 23bb/45k. For the year, he's at .258/.385/.417 in 291 PA with 43bb/71k.

Logan Browning was promoted to A+ a few days back. So far he has 2g, 2.1 ip, 4 hits, 0R, 1bb/1k. He finished Greenville at 2.04 era, 57.1ip, 11bb/75k, .872 WHIP, .193/.250/.277 against, . 291 BAbip. 33.9% K%, 5.0% BB%.
He had a 15 game stretch from June 3rd to July 25th: 0.83 era, 21.2 ip, 3bb/34k, .554 WHIP, .130/.178/.130 against, .257 BABip. 45.9% K%, 4.1% BB%. Mentioned it before, but he's Tom Browning's son.

Hunter Haworth's first 15 games: 6.19 era, 48.0 ip, 27bb/56k. 6 HRA. 1.520 WHIP, .296/.383/.450 against. .382 BAbip, 25.0% K%, 12.1% BB%.
Hunter Haworth's last 11 games: 3.03 era, 32.2 ip, 7bb/48k. 0 HRA, .949 WHIP, .192/.258/.254 against. .315 BAbip 36.1% K%, 5.3% BB%.
He turns 23 and is still in Greeville so he's pretty old for the league but he clearly figured something out.

I keep waiting for Marcus Wilson to fall off but he went 3/4 yesterday with 2 doubles and a HR.
First 12 games in AA for AZ: .235/.350/.529, .316 BAbip in 40 PA. 5bb/13k. 12.5% BB%, 32.5% K%
19 games in AA for Sox: .161/.307/.226, .321 BAbip in 75 PA, 13bb/33k. 17.3% BB%, 44.0% K%
45 games in Salem: .342/.413/.604, .452 BAbip in 167 PA, 18bb/47k. 10.8% BB%, 28.1% K%.
24 games since being called back up to Portland: .297/.379/.581, .383 BAbip in 87 PA. 9bb/25k. 10.3% BB%, 28.7% K%.
Last 69 games: .327/.402/.595, .429 BAbip in 254 PA. 27bb/72k. 10.6% BB%, 28.3% K%. 21 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HR.
Total line for the season: .285/.377/.516, .401 BAbip in 369 PA. 45bb/118k. 12.2% BB%, 32.0% K%.

He turns 23 in 5 days so he's at an age appropriate level in AA. That K% is way too high but the rest of the package is very interesting.

Daniel McGrath's streak may have ended but he's still pitching phenomenally well. Last 10 games: 0.17era, 56.1 ip, 22 hits, 2r/1er, 22bb/60k. 29.3% K%, 10.7% BB%. 205 BF, 2 doubles, 1 HR. 10.2 IP scoreless streak, including his last outing of 7.0 ip, 2 hits (both doubles), 0 er, 0bb/9k. I dunno how he's striking guys out.

His teammate Denyi Reyes made another start yesterday, going 6.0 ip, 8 hits, 4r, 4r, 2bb/3k. That's 14 straight games of at least 6.0 ip.

Tanner Houck's been much better his last 3 outings in relief: 5.1 ip, 1 hit, 1 er, 4bb/7k.
 

Cesar Crespo

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and Rafaela just hit HR #5 in game 2 today. Currently 2/3 with a HR, BB, K, CS. .269/.350/.495 for the year atm. 3 triples and 2 HRs over his last 5 games. He has no scouting report up on Soxprospects either. I'm all kinds of curious. There is nothing on him out there.

So far today, he is 5/7 with a triple, a HR, and a walk. Have a day, fella.
 

richgedman'sghost

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Pardon my ignorance but I was looking for any information on Henry Mejia the ex Met castoff who the Red Sox signed in Spring Training. At the beginning of the season, I thought he could eventually become a bullpen option during the season. Since then crickets. What did I miss?
 

edoug

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Pardon my ignorance but I was looking for any information on Henry Mejia the ex Met castoff who the Red Sox signed in Spring Training. At the beginning of the season, I thought he could eventually become a bullpen option during the season. Since then crickets. What did I miss?
With the Sox bullpen problems, kind of tell you how he's been pitching. But still in the organization as of last Thursday.
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=516769#/gamelogs/R/pitching/2019/MINORS
 

Cesar Crespo

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Song went 3.0 ip, 2hits, 0r, 0bb/2k today.

I also just noticed one of my binkies is starting to hit for power. Pedro Castellanos is currently 1/2 with a HR today. Including that, over his last 22 games and 88 PA, he's slashing .287/.341/.556 with 6 HR. In 837 PA coming into this season, he had a total of 6 HR. He had 0 in his first 170 PA this year and only 1 in the first 363 PA. That's 7 HR in 1200 PA. He has 6 in the last 88. It looks like he may have finally tapped into all of that power potential. The guys pretty huge.

Thad Ward is having himself a game so far. 5.0 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 2bb/8k.
 

oumbi

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Another Dalbec update. His AAA SSS stats are:

7 games
27 at bats
11 hits
1 double
2 home runs
1 walk
5 strike outs
.407/.429/.667 slash line for an OPS of 1.095
 

DeadlySplitter

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Owings was called up and is leading off today. Can’t believe we’re giving this guy a chance right now.
 

oumbi

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Owings was called up and is leading off today. Can’t believe we’re giving this guy a chance right now.
For those thirsting for more knowledge on our latest Red Sox (tl;dr - utility infielder with a lot of Ks with some power.):

Arizona Diamondbacks[edit]
The Diamondbacks selected Owings' contract from Reno on September 3, 2013, after the major league rosters expanded.[6]He made his major league debut that day, where he pinch hit in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays and grounded out to the second baseman.[7]

In spring training in 2014, Owings competed for the starting shortstop role with Didi Gregorius, the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop during the prior season.[8] Owings was named the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop for Opening Day.[5] Owings led all National League rookies with a .313 batting average in April, and was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April 2014.[9] He suffered a left shoulder injury in June,[10][11] and had offseason surgery to repair the posterior labrum in the shoulder.[12] For the season, Owings played in 91 games with Arizona, batting .261 with six home runs and 26 RBIs.

Owings batted .227 and .277 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. While only playing in 119 games during 2016, Owings led the major leagues in triples, with 11. On Opening Day 2017, Owings hit a game-winning single against San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon, giving the Diamondbacks a 6–5 win.[13] During 2017, he appeared in 97 games, batting .268 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. In 2018, Owings played in 106 games for Arizona, recording four home runs and 22 RBIs with a .206 average. On November 30, 2018, the Diamondbacks non-tendered Owings and he became a free agent.[14]

Overall, during parts of six major league seasons with the Diamondbacks, Owings appeared in 580 games, batting .250 with 31 home runs and 196 RBIs.

Kansas City Royals[edit]
On December 5, 2018, the Kansas City Royals signed Owings to a one-year, $3 million contract.[15] In 40 games with the Royals, he batted .133 with two home runs and nine RBIs, while striking out 55 times in 135 at bats. Owings was designated for assignment on May 31, 2019. The day prior, he had recorded a golden sombrero, striking out four times in a game.[16] Earlier in May, he had struck out looking against a position player, Tyler White of the Houston Astros.[17] Owings pitched for the first time in MLB during a 16–1 loss to the Texas Rangers on May 16.[18]

Boston Red Sox[edit]
On June 17, 2019, Owings signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox;[19] he was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[20] On August 11th, he made his debut for the Red Sox playing second base in a game vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
 

mfried

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For those thirsting for more knowledge on our latest Red Sox (tl;dr - utility infielder with a lot of Ks with some power.):

Arizona Diamondbacks[edit]
The Diamondbacks selected Owings' contract from Reno on September 3, 2013, after the major league rosters expanded.[6]He made his major league debut that day, where he pinch hit in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays and grounded out to the second baseman.[7]

In spring training in 2014, Owings competed for the starting shortstop role with Didi Gregorius, the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop during the prior season.[8] Owings was named the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop for Opening Day.[5] Owings led all National League rookies with a .313 batting average in April, and was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April 2014.[9] He suffered a left shoulder injury in June,[10][11] and had offseason surgery to repair the posterior labrum in the shoulder.[12] For the season, Owings played in 91 games with Arizona, batting .261 with six home runs and 26 RBIs.

Owings batted .227 and .277 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. While only playing in 119 games during 2016, Owings led the major leagues in triples, with 11. On Opening Day 2017, Owings hit a game-winning single against San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon, giving the Diamondbacks a 6–5 win.[13] During 2017, he appeared in 97 games, batting .268 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. In 2018, Owings played in 106 games for Arizona, recording four home runs and 22 RBIs with a .206 average. On November 30, 2018, the Diamondbacks non-tendered Owings and he became a free agent.[14]

Overall, during parts of six major league seasons with the Diamondbacks, Owings appeared in 580 games, batting .250 with 31 home runs and 196 RBIs.

Kansas City Royals[edit]
On December 5, 2018, the Kansas City Royals signed Owings to a one-year, $3 million contract.[15] In 40 games with the Royals, he batted .133 with two home runs and nine RBIs, while striking out 55 times in 135 at bats. Owings was designated for assignment on May 31, 2019. The day prior, he had recorded a golden sombrero, striking out four times in a game.[16] Earlier in May, he had struck out looking against a position player, Tyler White of the Houston Astros.[17] Owings pitched for the first time in MLB during a 16–1 loss to the Texas Rangers on May 16.[18]

Boston Red Sox[edit]
On June 17, 2019, Owings signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox;[19] he was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[20] On August 11th, he made his debut for the Red Sox playing second base in a game vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
Not a very appealing lead off man on the Sox.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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and Rafaela just hit HR #5 in game 2 today. Currently 2/3 with a HR, BB, K, CS. .269/.350/.495 for the year atm. 3 triples and 2 HRs over his last 5 games. He has no scouting report up on Soxprospects either. I'm all kinds of curious. There is nothing on him out there.
Tiny blurb on Rafaela from Sox Prospects, sans a complete scouting report.
Scouting Report: Very small, athletic infielder. Needs to develop physically. Primarily played second base during the 2018 Fall Instructional League, after primarily playing third base with some time at shortstop during the DSL season. Minimal power projection, contact oriented swing. Plus speed. Plays hard and has versatility. Potential organizational utility player.
They list him at 135 pounds. For the record, that's more than twice as much as 65-pounder Eddie Gaedel and his career 1.000 OPS.

Curacao native who repped the Caribbean in the Little League World Series and presumably still looks pretty much the same.
25571
 

Cesar Crespo

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Bryan Gonzalez hit his 9th HR of the year on Wednesday, breaking the Redsox DSL record. For the year, Gonzalez is at .260/.354/.463 with 29bb/66k in 268 PA.
Alberto Feliz hit his 9th HR of the year on Thursday to tie him. For the year, he's at .255/.331/.448 with 23bb/66k in 247 PA.

Tanner Houck pitched yesterday, going 2.0 ip, 0hits, 0bb/5k. Last 4 outings : 7.1 ip, 2 hits, 3r/2er, 3bb/12k. The strikeouts are very nice to see. He has the stuff.

Denyi Reyes failed to go 6 innings for the first time in 15 starts, going 5.0 ip, 6 hits, 4r/4er, 1 HR, 1bb/2k.

Pedro Castellanos had another 2 HR game since the last time I posted.
First 170 PA this year: .284/.329/.355, 0 HR .331 BAbip, 8bb/25k
First 363 PA this year: .269/.311/.335, 1 HR .315 BAbip, 14bb/50k
First 1200 PA of his career: .304/.350/.407, 7 HR, (.340ish BAbip) 56bb/142k.
Last 108 PA: .309/.370/.629, 8 HR, .306 BAbip, 8bb/18k
Last 67 PA: .300/.358/.733, 7 HR, .250 BAbip, 4bb/10k.

I have a thing for outliers (going into the year he had a 5.0% BB%, 10.9% K%, 0.7% HR%) so I've been pushing Pedro as someone to watch for awhile. He's 6'4 200-220 lbs and looks like he should be hitting 30 HRs a year. Of course, he'll have to do just that because he's strictly a 1b type. This year his rates are 4.7% BB%, 14.4% K%, 1.9% HR% (it was at 0.2% thru 363 PA). He doesn't turn 22 until December and will be in Portland all season at age 22 so he's age appropriate/slightly on the young side for a legit prospect.

Gilberto Jimenez recently had a 5 game stretch where he was 12/19 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 1bb/2k. It's brought his average for the year back up to .361/.392/.483.

Brayan Bello went 5.0 ip, 6 hits, 3r/3er, 0bb/10k last time out. Less than a month ago he had a 6.0 ip, 5 hits, 0r, 0bb/13k performance.
First 15 games: 7.45 era, 64.0 ip, 87 hits, 58r/53er, 29bb/60k. .325/.397/.505 against with a .395 BAbip. 9.5% BB%, 19.6% K%.
Last 6 games: 3.38 era, 32.0 ip, 33 hits, 12r/12er, 4bb/44k. .267/.294/.372 against with a .373 BAbip. 2.9% BB%, 32.1% K%. Turned 20 in May and had a velocity increase last year with potential to still add more.

Jaren Durran's last 24 games: 102 PA, .355/.396/.462, .451 BAbip. 6bb/22k, 11sb/3cs,

Bryan Mata's been rocked in his last 2 starts after starting off AA great.
0.0 ip, 5 hits, 4 er
4.0 ip, 5 hits, 6 er, 2bb/5k.

Jorge Rodriguez continues to baffle GCL hitters: 2.19 era, 37.0 ip, 29 hits, 7bb/45k. 4.8% BB%, 30.6% K%. Sits around 90-92 atm but he's 18 and lefty.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Mata, Bello, Ward, and Song all started tonight. I'll update their lines when the finish.

Song is done for the night. 3.0 ip, 0 hit, 0r, 1bb/6k. Now up to 11.0 ip, 4 hits, 2bb/15k.
Mata looks like he's on his way to his 3rd awful start in a row. 3.0 ip, 6 hits, 4 r, 4 er, 2bb/3k, 1 HRA
Ward 3.0 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 2bb/4k.
Bello 3.1 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 0bb/3k.

edit:
Ward is done. 5.0 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 3bb/7k.
Mata finished strong. 6.0 ip, 7 hits, 4r, 4er, 2bb/7k.
Bello may or may not be done yet. 6.0 ip, 3 hits, 1r, 1er 0bb/6k, 80 pitches.

double edit:
Just noticed Chatham was promoted to Pawtucket. He's 3/3 with a double and a HR tonight.

triple edit:
Bello wasn't done. 7.0 ip, 4 hits, 1r, 1er, 0bb/8 strike outs. 88 pitches. All 8 strikeouts were swinging. Yeah. Maybe still not done but probably.
7th inning, 1st pitch pop up, 1st pitch double, 3 pitch strike out, 3 pitch strike out.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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Dalbec just hit his 3rd HR in Pawtucket too. 2/4 with a double, hr and a strike out. Only 10k in 48 PA, but only 1 bb.
 

Heating up in the bullpen

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At the Salem @ Myrtle Beach game right now. Emmanuel De Jesus on the mound. Wild in the first - two walks following a double, but got out of it with a soft fly ball. Weak contact for a 1-2-3 second. A hard hit lead-off single on the 3rd, followed by a stolen base and a seeing-eye groundball single gave the Pelicans a run. They're not posting the pitch speed regularly. What I'm seeing is a low 90s fastball that gets hit pretty well and a sometimes nasty curveball that gets pop-ups when it doesn't miss bats.

Offensively, Garrett Benge smoked a homer to right in the third. Jerry Downs, recently demoted from Portland, smoked a double in the second that led to a run on a SF.

Edit: Jerry Downs smoked another double in the 4th, but was stranded at third. Jerry might not have been able to hit AA pitching, but he's all over A+ pitching.

Edit: De Jesus gave up another run in the 4th. Victor Acosta misplayed (overran) a fly ball in the right field corner, turning it into a triple. Run scored on a single thru the drawn-in infield.
 
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oumbi

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Another update on Noah Song. So far so excellent.

5 games
11 innings
0 wins & 0 loses
0.00 ERA
4 hits
2 walks
15 Ks
0.55 WHIP
1.64 BB/9
12.27 K/9
7.5 K/BB
 

Cesar Crespo

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Hunter Haworth went 6.0 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 2bb/7k yesterday.
First 15 games: 6.19 era, 48.0 ip, 27bb/56k. 1.520 WHIP, .296/.383/.450 against. .382 BAbip, 25.0% K%, 12.1% BB%.
Last 14 games: 3.35 era, 43.0 ip, 10bb/59k. .930 WHIP .190/.264/.272 against, .289 BAbip, 33.8% K%, 5.7% BB%.

Jorge Rodriguez is currently pitching: 3.0 ip, 2 hits, 0r, 2bb/3k.

edit:
Jorge is done. 5.0 ip, 4 hits, 2bb/6k. For the year: 1.93 era, 42.0 ip, 33 hits, 12 runs, 9 er, 9bb/51k. 5.4% BB%, 30.7% K%.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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I was bored so I looked into Brayan Bello's last 7 game stretch.
Game 1: 6.0 ip, 5 hits, 0r, 0bb/13k. 10 of those strike outs were swinging.
Game 2: 6.0 ip, 6 hits, 1r, 0bb/6k. 5 strike outs swinging.
Game 3: 6.0 ip, 4 hits, 1r, 1bb/6k. 4 strike outs swinging.
Game 4: 5.0 ip, 9 hits, 5r, 0bb/6k. All 6 strike outs swinging
Game 5: 4.0 ip, 3 hits, 2r, 3bb/3k. All 3 strike outs swinging
Game 6: 5.0 ip, 6 hits, 3r, 0bb/10k. All 10 strike outs swinging
Game 7: 7.0 ip, 4 hits, 1r, 0bb/8k. All 8 strike outs swinging.

Going back to game 3, his last 28 strike outs have been swinging. F'n ridiculous.

7 games, 3.00 era, 39.0 ip, 37 hits, 13r/13er, 4bb/52k. .243/.277/.362 against. .357 BAbip. 2.5% BB%, 32.3% K%. 46 of 52ks swinging.

@Plympton91 since you pointed out the original game. It's looking more and more like a breakout game than just a one off spectacular performance.

edit: A little more.
First 15 games: 64% strikes, 14% Strikes Looking, 15% Strikes swinging, 52% GB%, 48% FB%
Last 7 games: 68% strikes, 15% Strikes Looking, 19% Strikes Swinging, 38% GB% 62% FB%

He's not the same.
 
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RoDaddy

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Despite the low minor league system ranking, I think there's some pretty interesting Sox prospects worth keeping an eye on as the season winds down, with most of them playing well right now. In no particular order:
Dalbec
Chatham
De La Guerra
Houck
McGrath
Duran
Mata
Ward
Casas
Jimenez
Davis
Song
Murphy
Lugo
Some of the DSL players
and maybe even a cameo appearance by Jay Groome?
 

stepson_and_toe

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Despite the low minor league system ranking, I think there's some pretty interesting Sox prospects worth keeping an eye on as the season winds down, with most of them playing well right now. In no particular order:
yadda, yadda, yadda,...,and mabe even a cameo appearance by Jay Groome?
As Nat King Cole might have sung after reading your comment:

It was fascination
I know
And it might have ended
Right then, at the start
Just a passing glance
Just a brief romance
And I might have gone
On my way
Empty hearted.
 

nvalvo

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Groome threw an inning today in the GCL!

2 K, an infield single, and a groundout, not that the results matter at all.
 

Plympton91

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A day short of two full years since the last time he took the mound in a game (8/22/17). Good to see him progressing.
It looks like he had the surgery around May 15th, so a 15-month rehab, which seems nice and conservative. Hopefully, he can start a couple more games before the end of the minor league season.

I wonder if they’d consider sending him to the AFL?
 

nvalvo

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It looks like he had the surgery around May 15th, so a 15-month rehab, which seems nice and conservative. Hopefully, he can start a couple more games before the end of the minor league season.

I wonder if they’d consider sending him to the AFL?
I'd say that's likely, either this season, next (can a player go twice?). He needs innings desperately.
 

ZMart100

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I'd hope he doesn't go next season. Groome should be able to hit his inning limit over the summer if he is healthy.
 

Plympton91

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Oct 19, 2008
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Durbin Feltman with another atrocious-looking box score last night. 1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER. He’s just not getting it done, and not getting better at all.

Bello did well again. That’s a bright spot.

And CJ Chatham is doing well in his AAA cameo. He could sneak into the picture at 2B next year if he keeps improving. I assume we’re going to see him in the AFL.

Looks like some major changes to AFL as well, with no requirements for participants to have reached certain levels of the minors:

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/arizona-fall-league-to-begin-earlier-open-up-player-pool/c-305415426
I think this increases the odds that Groome will go.
 

oumbi

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Song finally lets in a run. He went 3 innings with 2 hits and 2 strikes. His stats to date are:

6 games
14 innings
1 earned run total
0.64 ERA
6 hits
4 walks
17 Ks
0.71 WHIP
2.57 BB/9
10.93 K/9
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dalbec is currently 2/3 with his 5th HR in AAA, a BB and a K. 3bb/18k in 86 PA at AAA. He struggled to draw walks when promoted to AA too but he also struck out a lot more. 6bb/46k in his initial 124 PA at AA. He hit his 4th HR yesterday, going 1/5.

Jarren Duran is having a brutal day, 0/4 with 4 strike outs.

Denyi Reyes struggled for the 2nd straight start. 3.2 ip, 6 hits, 4r/4er, 1bb/2k.

Michael Chavis went 3/4 yesterday and was 0/3 with 2 strike outs today before being pulled down at AAA.

Kole Cottam was promoted to Salem about a week ago. His first 5 games he is slashing .250/.222/.563.

Jorge Rodriguez pitched yesterday, going 5.0 ip, 2 hits, 1r/1er, 0bb/7k, Season to date: 1.91 era, 47.0 ip, 35 hits, 13 r, 10 er, 2 HRA, 9bb/58k. .202/.246/.295 against, .292 BAbip. 4.9% BB%, 31.7% K%.
First 4 games: 3.86 era, 18.2 ip, 18 hits, 8r/8er, 4bb/20k. 5.2% BB%, 26.0% K%
Last 7 games: 0.57 era, 31.1 ip, 20 hits, 5r/2er, 5bb/41k. 4.2% BB%, 34.7% K%

Gilbert Jimenez went 4/4 yesterday, bringing his season average back up to .372/.401/.483 in 224 PA. Last 15 games: 65 PA, .457/.477/.607, .500 BAbip.

Hunter Haworth continued his recent success last night, albeit in a different way, pitching 7.0 ip, 1 hit, 0r, 3bb/2k.
 

Plympton91

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Dalbac’s Ability to keep the strikeout rate under control and continue to hit for power through 90 AAA plate appearance is very encouraging. The lack of walks don’t worry me yet, as he’s hitting well, and as a newbie he’s probably still be challenged by more experienced AAA pitchers. Hopefully as the HRs mount and they start trying to pitch around him, he will be able to lay off and the walks will increase.
 
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Sandy Leon Trotsky

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The comments on the tweet I saw were a parade of "FREE RUSNEY!!!!" suggestions. I'm sure his .328 OBP would play up in the majors.
Asking in all seriousness.... would he be a worse hitter than JBJ? Can an outfield adjustment that had Betts in CF, Russ in RF and 10D in LF be any better defensively and offensively combined? I realize that the cost shift (adding Rus' $$$ to the payroll, taking off JBJ expected arb.... $15M???) is pretty lateral, but would the Sox be able to get anything of value from JBJ for one season if they packaged him with say.... Dalbec and Duran... for a young starter still in arb (I have absolutely no idea who....).
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Asking in all seriousness.... would he be a worse hitter than JBJ? Can an outfield adjustment that had Betts in CF, Russ in RF and 10D in LF be any better defensively and offensively combined? I realize that the cost shift (adding Rus' $$$ to the payroll, taking off JBJ expected arb.... $15M???) is pretty lateral, but would the Sox be able to get anything of value from JBJ for one season if they packaged him with say.... Dalbec and Duran... for a young starter still in arb (I have absolutely no idea who....).
No chance JBJ is getting $15M next year. His salary the last three years (all arbitration years) has gone from $3.6M to $6.1M to $8.55M. $15M would be a huge jump for a guy who hasn't been significantly better this year than the last couple. I think $12M is closer to reality, and swapping that for Castillo's $10.3M hit isn't saving much. I don't think anyone is trading a cost-controlled starter for JBJ no matter who you sweeten the pot with. If they are, they're just as likely to move that pitcher for the prospects alone. Shit, they might be able to get the same sort of return trading Castillo at this point...he's only got one year left on his deal then he's got five years of team control left. Even at 32, that could have more value to someone than a year of JBJ.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Asking in all seriousness.... would he be a worse hitter than JBJ? Can an outfield adjustment that had Betts in CF, Russ in RF and 10D in LF be any better defensively and offensively combined? I realize that the cost shift (adding Rus' $$$ to the payroll, taking off JBJ expected arb.... $15M???) is pretty lateral, but would the Sox be able to get anything of value from JBJ for one season if they packaged him with say.... Dalbec and Duran... for a young starter still in arb (I have absolutely no idea who....).
I'd guess JBJ gets similar money to Rusney, and that the Redsox could do better than both at a cheaper price point given Betts or Benny can play CF.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
I'd guess JBJ gets similar money to Rusney, and that the Redsox could do better than both at a cheaper price point given Betts or Benny can play CF.
I'm curious who you're seeing on the FA market this winter who could be had for $12M a year or less that you think is a legit upgrade over even age 30-31 JBJ. The only OFs I'm seeing that I would describe that way are Castellanos and Ozuna, and they sure as hell aren't going to be had for $12M a year.
 

chrisfont9

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No chance JBJ is getting $15M next year. His salary the last three years (all arbitration years) has gone from $3.6M to $6.1M to $8.55M. $15M would be a huge jump for a guy who hasn't been significantly better this year than the last couple. I think $12M is closer to reality, and swapping that for Castillo's $10.3M hit isn't saving much. I don't think anyone is trading a cost-controlled starter for JBJ no matter who you sweeten the pot with. If they are, they're just as likely to move that pitcher for the prospects alone. Shit, they might be able to get the same sort of return trading Castillo at this point...he's only got one year left on his deal then he's got five years of team control left. Even at 32, that could have more value to someone than a year of JBJ.
I'd add, I don't think you casually dump JBJ for a lateral move (actually freeing Rusney or whomever). Bradley has been an important starter, the ALCS MVP, and a generationally-talented defensive CF who the pitchers obviously love. At some point you have to consider the less measurable things like relationships and familiarity in the field etc. in any move that isn't an obvious upgrade offensively.

As to Rusney, he's worth a flier to someone if the Sox eat some $$, but that's about it. He's old, unproven, and probably shakes out as a highly replaceable .700 OPS guy, with luck. Maybe the Orioles or Tigers are bereft enough of alternatives to take a look, but no serious team should be all that interested.
 

nvalvo

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As to Rusney, he's worth a flier to someone if the Sox eat some $$, but that's about it. He's old, unproven, and probably shakes out as a highly replaceable .700 OPS guy, with luck. Maybe the Orioles or Tigers are bereft enough of alternatives to take a look, but no serious team should be all that interested.
The Sox *can't* eat money without adding AAV. Unless the Orioles or Tigers decide they actually want to pay him his contract, he's just going to have to play out the string as a wildly well-paid AAA OF.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I'm curious who you're seeing on the FA market this winter who could be had for $12M a year or less that you think is a legit upgrade over even age 30-31 JBJ. The only OFs I'm seeing that I would describe that way are Castellanos and Ozuna, and they sure as hell aren't going to be had for $12M a year.
You'd only have to replace his bat and I don't think that would be hard. Chavis in LF would be just as productive offensively and they could sign a 1b. Or they could go with Dalbec.

I don't know how people can justify spending $12 mil on JBJ. He's not worth the money. Even if he was the best option, the money is better spend elsewhere. Just get 80-90% of his production for 20% of the cost.
 
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Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
You'd only have to replace his bat and I don't think that would be hard. Chavis in LF would be just as productive offensively and they could sign a 1b. Or they could go with Dalbec.
Saying "you'd only have to replace his bat" ignores the fact that his defense is a significant part of his contribution -- less so than it used to be, and getting less so with each passing year, but still important. Putting Benintendi in CF and replacing him in LF with Chavis is a downgrade at both positions (and remember what happened the last time we put an infielder in LF because "how hard can it be?" -- yes, Hanley is a special case, but so is Fenway's LF).

And then we still have to find a 1B. The only FA 1B I see who's even worth thinking about is Abreu, who this year has been a less valuable player than JBJ, and yet seems unlikely to cost less.

I don't know how people can justify spending $12 mil on JBJ. He's not worth the money. Even if he was the best option, the money is better spend elsewhere. Just get 80-90% of his production for 20% of the cost.
Where, exactly? Can you name a specific free agent who will likely be obtainable for $2.5M per year or less who is likely to provide "80-90%" of JBJ's production -- i.e., between 1.5 and 2 WAR?
 

Cesar Crespo

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Saying "you'd only have to replace his bat" ignores the fact that his defense is a significant part of his contribution -- less so than it used to be, and getting less so with each passing year, but still important. Putting Benintendi in CF and replacing him in LF with Chavis is a downgrade at both positions (and remember what happened the last time we put an infielder in LF because "how hard can it be?" -- yes, Hanley is a special case, but so is Fenway's LF).

And then we still have to find a 1B. The only FA 1B I see who's even worth thinking about is Abreu, who this year has been a less valuable player than JBJ, and yet seems unlikely to cost less.



Where, exactly? Can you name a specific free agent who will likely be obtainable for $2.5M per year or less who is likely to provide "80-90%" of JBJ's production -- i.e., between 1.5 and 2 WAR?
We would never agree because I think JBJ's defense is superfluous on the Sox and I think Hanley is an exception. Plus they could always just stick Brock Holt (assuming they re-sign him) out there if they like Marco at 2b. I don't think they even have to sign someone to replace JBJ.

edit: Superfluous might be strong, let's use law of diminishing return.
 

JMDurron

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You'd only have to replace his bat and I don't think that would be hard. Chavis in LF would be just as productive offensively and they could sign a 1b. Or they could go with Dalbec.

I don't know how people can justify spending $12 mil on JBJ. He's not worth the money. Even if he was the best option, the money is better spend elsewhere. Just get 80-90% of his production for 20% of the cost.
There's more than hitting to consider when deciding how to value a starting OFer. As discussed in the assigning blame thread, the OF defense this year has shown indications of taking a step backwards from 2018. Given the likely age impacts on defensive range for the entire starting trio of OFers to begin with, making the entire situation even worse by removing JBJ for Rusney without any real assurance that his bat will actually be measurably better than JBJ's seems like an awful idea to me.

In an era of uppercut swings and infield shifting, it seems to me that OF defense is not the best place to value offense exclusively.* This isn't 2001-2007 anymore, one-dimensional OFers are more of a liability than they ever were in my mind, therefore carrying JBJ the entire player for ~$12M is a different value proposition than just thinking of carrying JBJ's offensive production. This is particularly true relative to some other generic/borderline MLB OFer (like Rusney Castillo) who *might* match his relatively underwhelming batting line, while almost certainly failing to maintain the current level of OF defense in 2019, such as it is.

* I tried to find MLB-wide totals of GB%/LD%/FB% to back up my thinking with some actual data, but fangraphs doesn't seem to want to allow me to get league totals of the batted ball stats, only team totals. As a result, I'm stuck with trying to use Red Sox-specific data to try to put anything of substance behind this thought. Specifically, in terms of GB%, over the last 9 seasons (2011-2019), 4 of the 5 lowest GB%s are from the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Red Sox. I'm using this as a shaky proxy for the idea that the relative value of IF defense is declining, which I am blaming on the combination of IF shifts and uppercut swings, and am therefore concluding that the relative value of OF defense is increasing.