Posted on 05 April 2009
H/W: 6-6 235 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/22/85
The Red Sox used Masterson as both a starter and reliever last season and he performed admirably in both roles. In 36 outings, the tall righthander went 6-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 40 BB/68 K in 88 IP. The San Diego State alum features a heavy 92-94 MPH fastball that he throws from a 3/4 arm slot with a great deal of leverage. In addition to his fastball, he has a promising slider that has good lateral movement, but sometimes gets left up in the zone when he drops his arm slot. His changeup has some promise to be effective too, but it lags behind his other two offerings. Hitters have a difficult time generating much pop off of his fastball, but his slider is still hittable and his command numbers will need to improve. The presence of Jonathan Papelbon at the end of Boston's bullpen may eventually push Masterson into the rotation. Whether he is throwing every 5th day or every other day, he is a highly valued piece to the future prosperity of the Red Sox.
2009 Projection: The acquisitions of Brad Penny and John Smoltz has relegated Masterson to the 7th or 8th inning job once again. His control has been excellent this spring as he has walked just two hitters in 12.2 IP. Keep an eye on this as the major league season goes on. His ability to command the strike zone should allow for him to use his sinker much more effectively as an out pitch. Also monitor the health of Boston's rotation. If one of their horses goes down, Masterson will be the first name called to step into a rotation spot. Once he gets in, he may be too good to supplant.
Key Justin Masterson Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Finest RC Redemption #6
- 2008 Stadium Club Auto
- 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie
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Posted on 30 March 2009
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/16/84
It's been a tumultuous, up and down ride for Boston's former #1 ranked prospect. Buchholz entered the 2008 season as a front runner for the A.L. Rookie of the Year award only to struggle with his control going 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA and 41 BB/72 K in 76 IP. Following the '08 season, the Red Sox sent Clay to get some extra work in the Arizona Fall League and he responded fairly well with a 3.86 ERA in 21 IP, but still struggled with his control (9 BB/17 K). This spring has been a different story. Buchholz has been simply dominant over 20 IP allowing just one run while putting up a sterling 3 BB/15 K ratio. There is no doubt that his stuff is electric. A mid-90's fastball, mid-70's changeup and big 12-6 curveball all rank as MLB-plus pitches and his slider has shown promise as well. Clay struggled last season establishing his fastball early in counts and fell in love with his off speed pitches too much. As a result, he forced himself into a bunch of fastball counts and when failing to locate them down in the zone, became quite hittable. There is plenty of reasons, though, to believe that the 24 year old righty will straighten things out and give Fenway's faithful reason to believe that the pitcher they saw dazzle the world on September 1, 2007 was, and is, the real deal.
2009 Projection: Despite his spring numbers, Clay is headed for Pawtucket to start the 2009 season. He has nothing left to prove there, but the offseason additions of Brad Penny and John Smoltz currently serve as impediments to his progress. There has been some conjecture around the league that a trade may occur bringing Texas Rangers starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Boston. That move was scrapped when the Red Sox signed Josh Bard. Now that Bard has been released and Jason Varitek's backups George Kottaras and Dusty Brown are far from surefire major leaguers, there is a chance that talks will resume. A change of scenery may be just what the Texas native needs. Keep an eye on the trade rumors and also the health of the Red Sox rotation. John Smoltz is on the shelf until at least May and both Brad Penny and Josh Beckett missed time last season with injuries. Buchholz will pitch in the major leagues in 2009, it's just a question of when and where.
Key Clay Buchholz Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2005 Bowman Sterling
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Topps Chrome Auto
- 2008 Stadium Club Auto
- 2008 Topps Heritage
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Posted on 17 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/18/89
Originally a SS in high school, the Red Sox decided to convert their 2008 35th round pick to catcher during the off season. His brief tenure at the Red Sox GCL affiliate was a successful one as Blair went 9 for 22 with a HR and 9 RBI. Blair has excellent hand-eye coordination and a quick right handed stroke that projects to have average power at the major league level. Like many young shortstops, Blair is extremely agile and has above average speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths and in the field. This agility and quickness should prove to be a benefit behind the plate and his strong arm should also be a viable asset. The Red Sox are in need of projectible young catchers in their farm system and the depth of SS and 3B prospects throughout their farm system affords them the luxury of making this transition.
2009 Projection: Blair is a project player and the list of 35th round picks that have measurable success at the MLB level is thin. However, the Red Sox have a knack for developing players with projectible tools into solid prospects. The fact that the talent pool for backstops is thin also bodes well for Carson's chances to succeed. Keep him on your radar and monitor his offensive numbers this season as he should play at short season Lowell. If he continues to display good pop and plays some solid defense behind the plate, he could rapidly become known as another Red Sox late round steal.
Key Carson Blair Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/719
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Posted on 05 March 2009
H/W: 6-1 170 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/5/89
The native New Englander managed a solid showing after signing with the Red Sox, batting .305 with 9 RBI 14 SB and 15 runs scored in 27 games at Boston's GCL Rookie League Affiliate. He struggled considerably after a brief promotion to Low-A Lowell, going 3-35 with 11 K's. Gibson has an intriguing set of tools that offer considerable upside. He is athletically gifted and can adequately play a variety of infield positions as well as the outfield. Once a top-tier pitcher in high school, Gibson has a strong arm that profiles best at SS or 3B. He has been clocked at 6.4 seconds in the 60 yard dash and he uses his speed well in the field as well as the basepaths (16 for 16 in SB attempts). Gibson has a lively, athletic body that could develop more power potential as he matures and he has already shown a disciplined approach at the plate, earning a respectable 20 BB/29 K ratio in 41 pro games. The Red Sox are flush with talented young middle infield and outfield talents and it is hard to say exactly where Gibson will someday fit in. His versatility and overall athleticism, however, makes him one to watch in the ensuing seasons as a high upside sleeper.
2009 Projection: The Red Sox have no need to rush Derrik's development, which makes it quite likely that he will spend time at extended spring training before heading to Lowell again in June. Expect Gibson to fare better this go around, putting up good speed and plate discipline numbers. The XBH power will be an interesting factor to monitor. There is promise for his frame to build more strength to drive the ball with greater authority, but it is far from being a foregone conclusion. If he can exhibit better power numbers (i.e. 10-12 HR per season) he should be able to ascend quickly on this list and enter himself in the same conversation of other fine SS/3B prospects within Boston's fruitful system.
Key Derrik Gibson Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1499
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 27 January 2009
H/W: 5-11 170 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/31/87
A blazing 42 game stint at High-A Lancaster (.342 4 HR 23 RBI 33 runs) helped Navarro step to the forefront of talented shortstops in Boston's farm system. His wiry strength and quick bat generates good loft that produces surprising power for someone of his size. Navarro is an aggressive hitter who can punish a pitcher's mistakes, but can be exploited by pitches out of the strike zone and needs to work deeper into counts (41 BB/103 K in '08). Those who watch Yamaico on a regular basis rave about the energy and passion that he exudes on the diamond. When he signed with Boston as a free agent in 2005, he was not a highly regarded prospect, but his work ethic and character has impressed the Sox brass ever since. Defensively, Yamaico has adequate range for a middle infielder, yet he lacks the fluidity that many top SS prospects possesses. His above average arm will play well at any infield position and the Red Sox continue to give him looks at 2B and 3B as well.
2009 Projection: Despite a lackluster showing in the Hawaiian Winter League (.207 HR 11 RBI 10 BB/15 K), Navarro should begin the 2009 season at AA Portland. The Eastern League is a tougher league on hitters which should provide ample challenge for Navarro. Keep an eye on how Yamaico adjusts offensively. If he can continue to drive the ball with authority and can keep his average above .270, his stock should continue to rise. Also pay attention to where Navarro plays the majority of his games. His optimal value, cards wise, is as a shortstop, but he may find himself playing more in the 4-hole in future seasons. The Red Sox are pretty well set at their middle infield positions with fan favorites Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie locked in place. If Navarro continues to develop well, he may find himself packaged up in a deal somewhere down the line.
Key Yamaico Navarro Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects
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Posted on 09 January 2009
H/W: 6-2 195 lb. B/T: L/R DOB: 4/27/90
The Red Sox continued their trend of luring toolsy, prep athletes away from college programs by signing them to over-slot bonuses. Westmoreland was slated to accept a scholarship from Vanderbilt before the Sox snatched him in the 5th round and offered a $1.6 million bonus.
Evoking comparisons to fellow Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli, Ryan has a long, lean frame that exudes athleticism and projects to hit for above average power. He has fast hands and a balanced swing that provides power to the gaps. Westmoreland is an intelligent player with a good feel for the strike zone and sound plate discipline, testified by the fact that he earned a 17 BB/2 K ratio as a high school senior. Scouts who have watched him play rate his speed as being just a tick below that of current Red Sox leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. Ryan uses his speed well on the bases and in CF where he is adept at running down balls and utilizing his plus arm strength to gun down baserunners.
There are few flaws in Westmoreland's game, but the fact that Ryan needed off season shoulder surgery is somewhat of a concern. The surgery will keep him out until June and, while the Red Sox are optimistic that he will recover fully, it is unclear at this point just how much the injury will set him back.
2009 Projection: Westmoreland has yet to get a professional AB under his belt but things look good for him to start the 2009 season with the Sox GCL affiliate. All eyes will be on Westmoreland to see if the tools carry over into professional baseball and whether the shoulder injury is a thing of the past or, worse, another comparison to the injury-riddled Rocco Baldelli.
Key Ryan Westmoreland Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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Posted on 01 January 2009
H/W: 6-3 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 10/4/89
The Red Sox shelled out an over slot $3 million to lure the two sport Sarasota HS star away from a University of Tennessee football scholarship. Kelly struggled at the Red Sox GCL affiliate before having some success at short-season Lowell. Kelly is a superb athlete with a big frame that should comfortably add more bulk in the future. Defensively, the son of former Yankee infielder Pat Kelly has above average range and a rocket arm that will play well at the major league level. The biggest question mark with Kelly's skill set right now is his bat. His size and strength projects that he will develop more power as he matures, but his productive sample size is too small to give an effective gauge at this time. There is loads of promise and potential in this young shortstop, and it will be exciting to see how it all plays out.
2009 Projection: Kelly has 130 professional AB's under his belt, but he may start the '09 season at extended spring training before heading back to Lowell. The Red Sox are chocked full of high upside SS prospects which affords them the opportunity to be more patient with Kelly. Keep tabs on his weight this spring, as it is quite likely that he will add some muscle over the next couple of years. Although they are quite happy with current SS Jed Lowrie, the Red Sox are aching for more power production from the 6-hole. Kelly's power production is an integral piece to his development. He has exhibited poor plate discipline thusfar and will need to shore up that area if he wants to vault over the likes of Yamaico Navarro and Argenis Diaz as the future Fenway shortstop.
Key Casey Kelly Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
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H/W: 6-6 235 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 3/22/85 
