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:
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:
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.
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.