Boston Red Sox Top 30 Prospects

For most teams, I'll only be doing the top 20 prospects, but since I'm a Red Sox fan (and so are most of my followers), I'm doing the team's top 30 prospects. Since I'm not Baseball America, the explanations are generally going to be short and to the point.


Boston Red Sox Top 30 Prospects:


1. Lars Anderson (A-) - 1B/DH

Easily Boston's best position prospect, Anderson possesses excellent contact and power skills, along with excellent plate discipline (18 HR, .317 BA, .417 OBP) that will only improve with time. Anderson's a complete hitter already at 21 years old. But with the Red Sox loaded with corner infielders right now and possibly pursuing superstar Mark Teixiera, they can allow Anderson to develop further in the minors. Once Anderson arrives, he should be a middle-of-the-order type hitter who I believe will be a 30 HR-100 RBI contributor to the Red Sox for years to come.

2. Michael Bowden (B+) - RHP

After the graduation of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Justin Masterson to the majors, Bowden becomes the next great Red Sox pitching prospect. He has great command of his pitches, which include a mid-90s fastball, an excellent 12-6 curveball, and a quickly developing change-up. Though rumored in deals with the Rangers to bring catcher Taylor Teagarden to Boston (which I think is a smart move), Bowden is a potential #2 on an average ballclub, which translates to an excellent #4 or #5 with the Red Sox. He could be up as soon as next year, but will likely spend the majority of the year in the minors due to Boston's surplus of pitchers.

3. Junichi Tazawa (B) - RHP

Tazawa, just signed out of Japan, is an interesting and very controversial prospect. In the Industrial League in Japan with Nippon, Tazawa posted a 13-1 record with an ERA under 1! However, the Industrial League is a pretty weak league compared with college and the minor leagues in the United States. Regardless, Tazawa is still considered the equivalent of a late-first round pick, and with professional experience already under his belt and the possibility of contributing to the team this season, Tazawa is good for the third spot on this list, ahead of 19-year-old first round pick Casey Kelly, who won't contribute next year.

4. Casey Kelly (B) - SS/RHP

Kelly chose to pass up a football scholarship to Tennessee to sign a $3M bonus to play for the Red Sox (turned out to be a good decision with all of Tennessee's struggles this year, huh). Kelly is an intriguing prospect, as he can be either a shortstop or a pitcher. As a shortstop, Kelly possesses solid tools, including plus power potential, but is still very raw and undisciplined. The Red Sox feel he may wind up as a pitcher long term, as he has a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s with a hard curve and solid changeup with good command. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.

5. Ryan Westmoreland (B) - OF

Westmoreland is a kid I am really big on. A fifth-round pick out of high school, Westmoreland slipped because of questions if he could be signed as he had committed to Vanderbilt. He chose to sign with the Sox after receiving a 2M signing bonus. Westmoreland has the potential to be an even better player than Jacoby Ellsbury, as Westmoreland has greater power potential. I can't wait to see how he develops.

6. Daniel Bard (B) - RHP

Bard had an incredible turnaround in his second professional season following a terrible first year after being drafted in the 1st round out of UNC in 2006. Bard has very powerful stuff with a fastball that can reach 100 MPH, though his control is still developing. He projects to be a very solid pullpen arm for the Red Sox in a couple years.

7. Michael Almanzar (B-) - 3B

Tools, tools, tools. Almanzar has TONS of potential and is another favorite of mine. Only 18 years old, Almanzar has a long way to go, but has already played two seasons after being signed out of the Dominican Republic. He has the potential of Miguel Cabrera, but could be a bust as his stats aren't too good so far.

8. Ryan Kalish (B-) - OF

Kalish is another prospect with great potential with below-average results. Kalish projects as a leadoff type hitter and has excellent outfield range. At this point he has below average power, but there is potential for that to develop as well.

9. Josh Reddick (B-) - OF

Reddick is one of the few prospects in the middle section of this list who actually performed exceptionally well. Reddick hit 23 HRs and had an average above .300 for the year, though he doesn't project to continue this in the future. If Reddick does keep hitting, the Sox won't have any choice but to give him a shot. He could be a big leaguer, but it would likely be with another team, like David Murphy, who the Red Sox traded to the Rangers in the Eric Gagne (blehh) deal.

10. Nick Hagadone (B-) - LHP

The first lefthanded pitcher on this list, Hagadone has solid potential as a future starter or bullpen arm. He would be higher on this list had it not been for Tommy John surgery this past June. He has an excellent fastball that tops at around 96-98 MPH along with a sharp slider and changeup both in the low 80s. We'll have to see how he rebounds from TJ.

11. Oscar Tejada (C+) - SS/2B

Tejada's another high-upside player that I like. Ranked lower on other lists, Tejada struggled this season mostly due to injuries, but has the potential to be like Brandon Phillips. He is still only 18, so there is a long way to go, but he has several years to rebound from this year and progress.

12. Yamaico Navarro (C+) - SS/2B

Navarro is like Tejada in that he is another young international signing, though while Navarro had better numbers this year, he doesn't have the same potential. However, if he keeps performing, he will pass Tejada on the depth chart.

13. Bryan Price (C+) - RHP

Price, a supplemental first round pick this year, has the potential for several solid hard pitches.He projects as a reliever in the future, but could surprise and become a starter. He's kind of like Bard with a little weaker stuff.

14. Stolmy Pimental (C+) - RHP

Another teen out of the Dominican Republic, Pimental has the potential to be a very solid big league pitcher, though he is very far away. While he has the potential to possibly be a #3 or #4 as he alreayd has a fastball in the mid-90s, I think he'll wind up as a reliever, though I could be wrong.

15. Luis Exposito (C+) - C

Exposito is seemingly the catcher of the future by default as the Red Sox are extremely weak in that department in the organization. The Red Sox are seeking to trade for a catcher from the Rangers, who are loaded with catching prospects. But Exposito had an excellent 2008 season and really has elevated his status in the organization. If he keeps it up, he could be looking at a starting gig in a few years.

16. Pete Hissey (C+) - OF

Interesting athlete selected in the 4th round by the Sox.

17. Che Hsuan Lin (C+) - OF

The MLB Futures Game MVP has solid speed and defense in center field, but still needs a lot of work in the hitting department if he wants to be much more than a 4th outfielder.

18. Kyle Weiland (C+) - RHP

Third round pick of 2008, Weiland backed up his high draft selection with solid numbers in half a season.

19. Stephen Fife (C+) - RHP

Another early draft pick with solid numbers. Has pretty good control.

20. Derrik Gibson (C+) - IF

Yet another draft pick. Gibson, the team's second round pick, is very athletic, but has to work on refining his skills. He'll have time as he is only 19 years old.

21. Argenis Diaz (C+) - SS

Similar to Alex Cora; plays good defense with not a whole lot of offense.

22. Will Middlebrooks (C+) - SS/3B

Like a lot of other Red Sox prospects, Middlebrooks is an excellent athlete, but needs to refine skills.

23. Anthony Rizzo (C) - OF

Had an excellent rookie season, but was diagnosed with lymphoma. Fortunately, he should be ready to go for the 2009 season.

24. Felix Doubront (C) - RHP

Doubront was added to the 40 man roster so he wouldn't be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, so the Sox must think he has solid stuff to perhaps help out in the bullpen.

25. Kris Johnson (C) - RHP

A supplemental first round pick several years ago, he hasn't developed the way the organizational has wanted, but he did have decent numbers.

26. Ryan Dent (C) - SS/3B

Dent is yet another high upside toolsy player drafted last year, but needs time to develop and work on skills.

27. Jason Place (C) - OF

Place has really been a disappointment after being drafted in the first round in 2006. He has the potential to rebound, but when will he?

28. Zach Daegas (C) - OF

Getting old at 25, but has solid discipline skills and pop. I guess like Kevin Millar, but Daegas won't have anywhere near the impact of Millar.

29. Virgil Vasquez (C) - RHP

Let go by the Tigers, Vasquez is old for a prospect (26), but I'm still a fan.

30. Richard Lentz (C) - RHP

Has a chance to wind up in the Red Sox's bullpen in the distant future.


If you know of any other prospects that may be deserving of consideration, feel free to comment.