A peek into the future

August 10, 2007

With the Red Sox having much of their minor league talent on display tomorrow for the Futures at Fenway doubleheader, here is a look at the farm system and the top player at each position. Statistics reflect combined minor league totals for season. Tickets for the Futures can be obtained at redsox.com or 617-482-4769.

C Mark Wagner, Lancaster (High A)
Ht.: 6-1 Wt: 205 Age: 23 B/T: R/R

Acquired: 2005 draft, 9th round

2007 stats: .309, 12 HRs, 67 RBIs, 28 2Bs

Comment: Named Red Sox' Minor League Defensive Player of the Month for May, he's strong behind the plate and steadily improving at the plate.

Ht.: 6-4 Wt: 215 Age: 19 B/T: L/L

Acquired: 2006 draft, 18th round

2007 stats: .283, 8 HRs, 61 RBIs, 34 2Bs

Comment: Just a little over a year out of high school, he has as much power potential as any prospect in the Red Sox system.

Ht.: 6-0 Wt: 180 Age: 23 B/T: S/R

Acquired: 2005 draft, 1st round (sandwich)

2007 stats: .280, 11 HRs, 60 RBIs

Comment: Recently called up from Portland, he's been playing shortstop, but may ultimately make the switch to second, a la Dustin Pedroia.

Ht.: 6-1 Wt: 177 Age: 17 B/T: R/R

Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $525,000 last year

2007 stats: .313, 1 HR, 20 RBIs

Comment: Described by the scout who signed him as "Alfonso Soriano with better hands," he not only has power potential but his arm already is ranked as the best in the Red Sox system.

Ht.: 6-5 Wt: 180 Age: 16 B/T: R/R

Acquired: Signed last month out of the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million

2007 stats: NA

Comment: Son of Carlos Almanzar, currently toiling in the Pawtucket bullpen, this raw but exciting talent attracted offers from a number of teams, but the Sox outbid them.

Ht.: 6-1 Wt: 185 Age: 23 B/T: L/L

Acquired: 2005 draft, 1st round

2007 stats: .321, 1 HR, 31 RBIs, 37 SB

Comment: Made a good impression in a brief stint with Red Sox earlier this season; he'll be back soon, and should be the starting CF for years.

Ht.: 6-1 Wt: 205 Age: 20 B/T: L/L

Acquired: 2006 draft, 9th round

2007 stats: .368, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, .471 OBP, 18 SB

Comment: A player who may ultimately be even better than Ellsbury, he was off to a tremendous start with the short-season Spinners before a broken hamate bone ended his season.

Ht.: 6-3 Wt: 205 Age: 19 B/T: R/R

Acquired: 2006 draft, 1st round

2007 stats: .218, 10 HRs, 48 RBIs

Comment: Like Andersen, just a year-plus removed from high school, has raw power potential that has been compared to that of Atlanta's Jeff Francouer.

Ht.: 6-3 Wt: 190 Age: 22 B/T: L/R

Acquired: 2005 draft, 1st round (sandwich)

2007 stats: 7-3, 2.09 ERA, 112 IP, 155 K's

Comment: After dominating at Portland, he's building up his pitch counts and blowing away batters in Triple A. Could get a taste of majors late this season in bullpen.

Ht.: 6-6 Wt: 250 Age: 22 B/T: R/R

Acquired: 2006 draft, 2d round

2007 stats: 12-5, 3.48 ERA, 134 2/3 IP, 101 K's

Comment: After getting promoted from wind-blown Lancaster, where his changeup wasn't as effective, he's been amazing for the Sea Dogs, with an 8/35 BB/K ratio.

Ht.: 6-3 Wt: 215 Age: 20 B/T: R/R

Acquired: 2005 draft, 1st round (sandwich)

2007 stats: 8-4, 3.12 ERA, 115 1/3 IP, 104 K's

Comment: Also arriving from Lancaster, he has not adapted as quickly as Masterson (who is two years older), but he's got 2/14 BB/K ratio in his last two starts.

Ht.: 6-3 Wt: 230 Age: 21 B/T: L/L

Acquired: 2007 draft, 1st round (supplemental)

2007 stats: 0-1, 4.82 ERA, 9 1/3 IP, 12 K's

Comment: Kept on a short pitch count after being drafted out of the University of Washington in June, he got hit hard in his first outing but has been impressive since.

Ht.: 6-5 Wt: 185 Age: 23 B/T: R/R

Acquired: 2005 draft, 1st round

2007 stats: 3-1, 4.30 ERA, 46 IP, 44 K's

Comment: After appearing with Red Sox late in his '05 draft season, struggled last year and earlier this season. Lately has started to rediscover his devastating slider.

COMPILED BY KEN FRATUS

Sources: Baseball America, Globe archives, milb.com