Minor League Systems at a Glance- AL East- Boston

Saturday, April 29 2006 @ 11:10 PM EDT

Boston and Tampa are widely held to have the best farm systems in the division. How are their top prospects doing? We start today with Boston.

Boston- Position Players

The Red Sox have four position players among their top prospects: second baseman/shortstop Dustin Pedroia, centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, shortstop Jed Lowrie and outfielder Luis Soto. Here's how they are doing (as of Friday) this season, with links to prior year statistics:

Player	Age	Level	AB	Avg	OBP	Slug	BB	K	SB	CS
Pedroia	22.7	AAA	36	.278	.395	.444	7	5	0	1
Ellsbury	22.5	HiA	69	.304	.368	.449	6	13	7	1
Lowrie	22.0	HiA	77	.208	.273	.287	9	14	2	1
Soto	20.4	LoA	69	.319	.342	.478	3	18	0	0

Ellsbury apparently has excellent range in centerfield, but how he will hit is an open question. Soto is a converted shortstop, and seems to be developing power. Pedroia has excellent baseball sense, and will get the first call if either of the Sox middle infielders suffers injury.

Boston-Pitchers

The Red Sox had a plethora of pitching in their system last summer, but with the promotion of Jon Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen and the trading of Anibal Sanchez, they are down to four name prospects-starters Jon Lester, Abe Alvarez and Clay Bucholz, and closer-in-waiting Craig Hansen. Here's how they are doing as of Friday:

Player	Age	Level	IP	G	GS	ERA	H	HR	W	K
Lester	22.3	AAA	11.3	4	4	6.94	13	3	8	15
Alvarez	23.5	AAA	29.0	5	5	2.17	16	4	10	14
Hansen	22.5	AAA	11.0	5	0	0.82	4	0	4	12
Buchholz	21.7	LoA	15.0	3	3	1.20	12	1	3	15

More information on Sox prospects can be viewed on the Sons of Sam Horn website.
Registration is free, and be sure to view their "Adopt a Prospect" pages.

The Sox system seems to be in good shape, producing quality position player prospects at key defensive spots, as well as pitching.

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