MLB.com Top 20 Red Sox Prospects

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Dec 23, 2003
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Released this morning, compiled by Jim Callis & Jonathan Mayo. And SoxProspects has a podcast with Callis to discuss the rankings (the meat & potatoes start around the 18:00 mark).
 
1. Xander Bogaerts, SS/3B, 21, MLB
2. Henry Owens, LHSP, 21, AA
3. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF, 24, MLB
4. Allen Webster, RHSP, 24, MLB
5. Blake Swihart, C, 22, A+
6. Garin Cecchini, 3B, 23, AA
7. Mookie Betts, 2B, 21, A+
8. Matt Barnes, RHSP, 24, AAA
9. Trey Ball, LHSP, 20, R
10. Anthony Ranaudo, RHSP, 24, AAA
11. Manuel Margot, OF, 19, SS-A
12. Christian Vazquez, C, 23, AAA
13. Rafael Devers, 3B, 17, n/a
14. Brian Johnson, LHSP, 23, A+
15. Deven Marrero, SS, 23, AA
16. Wendell Rijo, 2B, 18, SS-A
17. Bryce Brentz, OF, 25, AAA
18. Cody Kukuk, LHSP, 21, A-
19. Teddy Stankiewicz, RHSP, 20, SS-A
20. Jamie Callahan, RHSP, 19, SS-A
 
The top 9 are also in MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects. The only major differences between this list, SoxProspects' Top 20 (last update Sept 24) and BA.com's Top 20:
 
* Brandon Workman (SP #9, BA #8) and Drake Britton (SP #12, BA #17) are deemed as having graduated to the majors despite maintaining rookie eligibilty, which moves everyone else up 1 or 2 spots.
 
* Cody Kukuk is about where BP would have slotted him without Workman & Britton (BP #21), though SP has him ranked only 31st. Callis explained that it's a nod to the very high ceiling for Kukuk's stuff if he can harness it.
 
* Callis is pretty high on Devers (SP #21, #BA #20):
 
 
Scouts rated Devers as the most advanced left-handed hitter on the international market in 2013. Signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic, he can put on an impressive show in batting practice. He's already capable of pulling balls out of the park and shows some aptitude for driving them to the opposite field.
 
Devers has an exceptionally quick bat, a short stroke and some feel for the strike zone. The Red Sox are pleased that he has added strength and athleticism since turning pro, and that he responds well to instruction.
 
An average runner now who will lose a step as he fills out, Devers will have to work to stay at third base. He shows some instincts and an average arm at the hot corner, though he needs to improve his footwork.
 
Paraphrasing from the podcast (28:40):
 
 
Most of the time we get excited about these really young international kids who are 16-17 years old, it's because they're physical specimens. Devers' best tools are big power and he can drive to the opposite field, but what has the Red Sox most excited about him is he has a more advanced feel for hitting than most kids his age. Most of the time you sign these kids, it's based on the results of tryout situations. They're taking BP, or running a 60-yard dash. It's not like you're seeing them in a bunch of games against pro-caliber competition. But compared to a lot of these other kids, he's got some feel for the strike zone, he's got obvious bat speed but not a real long stroke, so he's generating power the right way. He can probably hit for a high average, too. Long term, he can probably be a decent 3B, or maybe he ends up at LF or 1B.