Boston Red Sox 2008 Top Ten Prospects

The good news for the Sox is they received important contrubutions in 2007 from their top two prospects on this list. The bad news is other than those two players it will be awhile before another rookie makes a similar impact.

• 1) Clay Buchholz, 23, RHP, first round supplemental, 2005

Brother of Colorado Rockies pitcher Taylor Buchholz. Became 21st rookie in ML history to throw a no-hitter, doing so in just his second career start. Led all minor leaguers with 12 strikeouts per start. Compensation pick from the Mets for the signing of Pedro Martinez. Both curveball and change rank at 70 on the 20/80 scout scale, low 90's fastball is third best pitch. Picked up a slider in 2007 spring training which already is ML average. Previous make-up issues, including arrests for theft and breaking and entering the Sox feel were one time college pranks, there have been no other off field issues to this point. A top athlete in the system, Buchholz' time in the 60 is better than Jacoby Ellsbury's. Weaknesses are stamina, he would have been on Boston's postseason roster except he was shut down with a case of dead arm. Also doesn't throw his fastball enough, his other pitches are so good. Boston would like to see a better mix in pitch selection. Easily Boston's best pitching prospect since Roger Clemens, Buchholz is a lock for a spot in the Bosox' 2008 rotation.

• 2) Jacoby Ellsbury, 24, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, first round, 2005

Hit .353 for Boston in 116 regular season AB's, then upped the mark to .438 in the postseason. Plus speed, stole 50 of 57 attempts last season. Takes good routes and gets good reads off the bat in CF, speed just another plus in the OF. Has an inside out swing totally devoid of power, has 10 career homers in over 1000 career atbats. Arm is below average. Red Sox put him on an off-season strengthening program and feel 10-15 homers to be a realistic goal. Ellsbury's 2008 location is dependant on incumbent CF Coco Crisp, if he is in Boston Ellsbury will start the season in Triple A Pawtucket.

• 3) Lars Anderson, 20, lefthanded hitting and throwing first baseman, 18th round, 2006

Best bat and best power in system. Good plate discipline and recognition. Rated best defensive 1B in Low Class A South Atlantic League. Sox would like to see more aggressiveness, especially with two strikes. Waits well on pitches, almost to a fault, 10 of 11 HR last year to opposite field. Below average runner. High Class A in 2008.

• 4) Justin Masterson, 22, RHP, second round, 2006

Originally a catcher, Masterson outgrew the position as his 6'6", 250 frame will attest. Throws a plus sinker from a 3/4 arm slot which generates a 'heavy" ball. Fastball is below average, curve and change average. Still learning the nuances of pitching, the Sox envision him as the future set-up man to Jonathan Papelbon. Triple A in 2008.

• 5) Jed Lowrie, 23, switchhitting shortstop, first round supplemental, 2005

Boston's offensive minor league player of the year for 2007. Lowrie has been traditionally a slow starter to the season, needs to show consistency to be a ML player. Improved drastically defensively in 2007, now ML average across the board. His offense will keep him in the lineup, if he degresses there he profiles as a utility player. Has good plate coverage and discipline from both sides but likely won't have much power. Bosox sent him to Arizona Fall League and he disappointed there, hitting below .200 and leading the league in errors. Triple A in '08.

• 6) Ryan Kalish, 19, lefthanded hitting and throwing OF, 9th round 2006.

Hit by a pitch in July and suffered a broken hand, had surgery in September and missed the rest of the season. Good work ethic so should be ready for the spring. Has good discipline at the plate and has the lift in his swing to hit 20+ homers annually. Good defensive centerfielder, gets good jumps and has a good arm. Speed is below average, the Sox are considering a shift to leftfield, although arm doesn't play for right. Low Class A in 2008

• 7) Michael Bowden, 21, RHP, first round supplemental, 2005

Originally the pitcher sent to Texas for Eric Gagne. Struggled in Double A but likely because the Bosox skipped him up a level as a challenge. Mechanically sound with three average pitches and plus command and ethic. Sox working on tightening his delivery. Will start back in Double A, although could start in Triple A with a good spring.

• 8) Nick Hagadone, 22, RHP. first round supplemental, 2007

Slow to develop, in part because of his size, (6'5" 230). Has issues with inconstent delivery and release point. Has a game mentality which defies his youth, was roughed up in three early starts then ripped off 23 inning scoreless streak. Average slider, best fastball in system, non-existent change although is showing signs of improvement. Needs to work on conditioning which in turn will allow him to work deeper into games. Low Class A in '08.

• 9) Oscar Tejada, 18, righthanded hitting shortstop, free agent, 2006

Good hands and bat speed for a youngster. Good speed on the bases and in the field with good range and a plus arm. Tejada is overly aggressive at the plate and has to this point been resistent to the Sox attempts to tone him down. He shows no power at all but that should develop as he matures. Low Class A

• 10) Josh Reddick, 20, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing OF, 17th round 2006

Smooth lefty swing which generates solid, consistent contact. Good work ethic and plate discipline. Solid defensively, led South Atlantic League with 19 OF assists. Average speed should get to average/plus as he matures. Doesn't walk enough yet to be considered a middle of the order hitter but as long as he continues to develop as a hitter he projects well anywhere in the lineup. Highest ceiling of any OF in system. Low Class A in 2008.

Kelsdad covers the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by Jim Callis

Next: The New York Yankees

Bobbyjim45Draft Pick

274 days ago

Score 3

Good stuff as always. I think Ellsbury starts the season in Boston regardless of Coco. As long as he keeps his form in spring training, he should get the starting gig.

Permalink | Reply

Redsoxfaithful38Waterboy

273 days ago

Score -6

Firts of all, Ellsbury is the 2008 starter unless traded in a deal for Santana. Second Masterson is envisioned as a starter and you failed to mention his 96 M.P.H. sinker. He doesn't even havea fastball. And Lowrie and Masterson, and possibly Bowden, are supposed to make an impact THIS year. Lastly I don't know how you can call Reddick a better prospect than eaither Moss or Middlebrooks. Also, Moss is supposed to once again have an impact this year. I think you need to review your information, because if your judging by the impact that Buchholz and Ellsbury made, thats a pretty steep level to achieve and expect every prospect to do so.

Permalink | Reply

KelsdadAll-Star

273 days ago

Score 2

Wow, it only took two comments for someone to make a total ass of themselves..that's got to be a record even for a Red Sox fan.

Now you know why you have two minuses already.

And by the way, where does your info come from?

And I have to question why your hyping two guys that aren't on the list? Are they relatives or something?

Permalink | Reply

Tmil42Draft Pick

273 days ago

Score 4

I do not question Kelsdad's knowledge of prospects. I would advise that you don't either.

Permalink | Reply

KelsdadAll-Star

273 days ago

Score 4

I knew I shouldn't have posted this so close to the weekend, now we have to wait three days for an intelligent Sox fan to comment.

Permalink | Reply

Davis21wylieAll-Star

273 days ago

Score 3

Nah, I'm here (briefly). And, you know, the more I think about it (and look at lists like this), the more I'm glad the Santana deal has apparently fallen through. I like Masterson a lot -- he could be another Derek Lowe with that sinker. Also, you have to appreciate Lowrie's OBP potential at SS, and we all know about Ellsbury after the playoffs. Minny was going to want all three of those guys for Santana, and I don't think he'd ultimately be worth it (especially since we'd have to re-up him for more $$ after next year).

Permalink

KelsdadAll-Star

273 days ago

Score 2

It's hard for a guy with a Yankees avatar to be considered objective when talking about the Sox, but....

When I saw Lowrie here, he looked overmatched. Maybe the assignment was a reward from the Sox for his 2007 season so I won't put to much stock in his offensive numbers. Defensively is a different story. You can't use the "better pitchers" argument, catching the ball is the same everywhere. He looked awful. The opposing shortstop was Reid Brignac and the difference was night and day, and I've heard scouts question his defense.

When your fastball is your fourth best pitch, then you won't be a starter at the ML level. He'll go to the mound with that sinker and pitch an inning or two a couple times a week and that's all your going to get from him. And when I see his size and his 3/4 arm slot all I think of is Kerry Wood, a trip to the operating table for Masterson is a matter of when, not if.

Permalink | Reply

SalmanpourVarsity

273 days ago

Score 1

Wow, and this is coming from a yankees fan. I'm glad that armchair Gm, not like other sites when you got the Yanks and BoSox fighting each other 24/7. Pretty intresting topic Kelsdad, keep it up n_n.

Permalink | Reply

Redsoxfaithful38Waterboy

272 days ago

Score 2

All I was saying was that you didn't even mention Masterson's sinker, which is his pitch. And from what I have read, Epstein feels that Moss and Lowrie will make significant contributions this year, Albiet, not the same as Ellsbury or Buchholz, but still a pretty important contribution. Oh, and Middlebrooks is projected at some point to hit 35+ homers, that seems like a pretty good prospect to me, but what do I know http://soxpr...oks-will.htm). Here is Masterson's report,(http://soxpr...n-justin.htm), notice it never mentions a fastball. And Tmil42, I'm pretty sure I know alot about prospects, in paticular Red Sox one. I wasn't saying this was bad, I agree with your list up to Reddick (although I may switch a few around), I just felt that you looked over some of the contributions these players could make next year, which the Red Sox expect.

Permalink | Reply