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BruinsEight Sox prospects to watch in '10
The Red Sox have reaped tremendous rewards from their farm system the past several years, with homegrown products such as Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Jacoby Ellsbury (pictured) playing significant roles, including on the 2007 World Series championship team.
While some might wonder if something went awry in the pipeline from Lowell to Salem to Greenville, then Portland and Pawtucket -- the Red Sox received no significant contributions from rookies last year save for reliever Daniel Bard -- the reality is that it's all cyclical, and because so many of their prospects panned out, there wasn't much left at the upper levels of the minors.
But make no mistake -- there are some extremely talented young players in the organization right now. While it's unlikely that any of them will make major contributions to the big club this season -- among their most promising hitters, only Josh Reddick has played above Double A -- they will be familiar names at Fenway in time. Here, in no particular order, are eight to watch in 2010.
One caveat: Outfielder Ryan Westmoreland, a five-tool talent and the Red Sox' consensus No. 1 prospect entering spring training, is excluded here since this list is made up of players who will begin their minor league seasons shortly. It remains uncertain if or when Westmoreland, who underwent successful surgery to remove a cavernous malformation from his brain in mid-March, will return to the playing field, but his recovery has been described as "so far, so good."
Pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2010 season, also is not on the list. He was the sixth-rated prospect entering spring training according to Baseball America.
Note: Each player's prospect ranking within the Red Sox organization -- according to Baseball America and soxprospects.com -- is included.
While some might wonder if something went awry in the pipeline from Lowell to Salem to Greenville, then Portland and Pawtucket -- the Red Sox received no significant contributions from rookies last year save for reliever Daniel Bard -- the reality is that it's all cyclical, and because so many of their prospects panned out, there wasn't much left at the upper levels of the minors.
But make no mistake -- there are some extremely talented young players in the organization right now. While it's unlikely that any of them will make major contributions to the big club this season -- among their most promising hitters, only Josh Reddick has played above Double A -- they will be familiar names at Fenway in time. Here, in no particular order, are eight to watch in 2010.
One caveat: Outfielder Ryan Westmoreland, a five-tool talent and the Red Sox' consensus No. 1 prospect entering spring training, is excluded here since this list is made up of players who will begin their minor league seasons shortly. It remains uncertain if or when Westmoreland, who underwent successful surgery to remove a cavernous malformation from his brain in mid-March, will return to the playing field, but his recovery has been described as "so far, so good."
Pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2010 season, also is not on the list. He was the sixth-rated prospect entering spring training according to Baseball America.
Note: Each player's prospect ranking within the Red Sox organization -- according to Baseball America and soxprospects.com -- is included.
Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis
