Red Sox sign veteran righty Dinelson Lamet to minor-league deal

The Red Sox have signed free agent right-hander Dinelson Lamet to a minor-league contract, per the club’s transactions log. Lamet will report to Triple-A Worcester in the coming days.

Lamet became a free agent after being designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Rockies last week. The 30-year-old hurler had struggled to an 11.57 ERA and 6.57 FIP with 31 strikeouts to 22 walks in 16 appearances (four starts) and 25 2/3 innings pitched this season before being removed from Colorado’s 40-man roster.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Lamet first broke in with the Padres and 2017 and pitched to a 4.57 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie. He then missed the entirety of the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and produced a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts after returning from the procedure during the latter half of the 2019 campaign.

The COVID-shortened 2020 season served as a breakout year for Lamet, who went 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 93 to 20 in 12 starts (69 innings) for the Padres. He finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting that year behind the likes of the Reds’ Trevor Bauer, the Cubs’ Yu Darvish, and the Mets’ Jacob deGrom.

Unfortunately, Lamet has been unable to find that same level of success over the last three seasons. He worked as both a starter and reliever in 2021 and was then traded to the Brewers last August after posting a 9.49 ERA in 13 appearances out of the Padres’ bullpen.

Lamet’s stay in Milwaukee was short-lived, however, as he was designated for assignment and traded to Colorado within days of joining the Brewers. He then forged a 4.05 ERA with 29 punchouts to 10 walks in 19 relief appearances for the Rockies, who brought him back on a one-year, $5 million arbitration agreement in November.

Despite the solid second half last year, Lamet got off to a rough start this season, walking 16.4 percent of the 134 batters he faced while getting hit hard in the process. According to Baseball Savant, Lamet currently ranks in the fifth percentile of all big-league pitchers in average exit velocity, the first percentile in hard-hit rate, the first percentile in walk rate, and the second percentile in chase rate. He also spent most of May on the injured list with lower back stiffness.

While the peripherals and injury concerns are undoubtedly discouraging, the Red Sox still elected to take a flier on Lamet, who turns 31 next month. The 6-foot-3, 228-pound righty has thrown four different pitches this season: a mid-80s slider, a mid-90s sinker, a mid-90s four-seam fastball, and a sparingly-used changeup.

Lamet figures to provide Boston with immediate rotation depth. At present, the Red Sox are down to just four major-league starters with both Tanner Houck (facial fracture) and Chris Sale (shoulder) on the injured list. As a result, the club has been forced to have bullpen games every five days. With the WooSox, Lamet will join the likes of fellow veterans Jake Faria and Kyle Barraclough and rookie Brandon Walter as possible spot start candidates if the occasion arises.

(Picture of Dinelson Lamet: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Red Sox infield prospect Cutter Coffey finding stride with Low-A Salem

Red Sox infield prospect Cutter Coffey ended the first half of his first full professional season on a strong note.

In his last 10 games for Low-A Salem leading up to this week’s brief two-day hiatus, Coffey went 12-for-39 (.308) with two doubles, one triple, two home runs, six RBIs, eight runs scored, one stolen base, six walks, and 11 strikeouts.

After a slow start at the plate, Coffey has begun to pick up the pace offensively. The right-handed hitter is now batting .222/.351/.343 (106 wRC+) on the season with 11 doubles, two triples, three homers, 23 runs driven in, 31 runs scored, 12 stolen bases (in 16 attempts), 38 walks, and 56 strikeouts across 56 games (239 plate appearances) with Salem.

Among 71 qualified hitters in the Carolina League, Coffey ranks 11th in walk rate (15.7 percent), 29th in strikeout rate (23.4 percent), 27th in on-base percentage, 30th in isolated power (.121), 25th in speed score (6.6), fourth in line-drive rate (28.1 percent), 15th in swinging-strike rate (8.6 percent), and 30th in wRC+ (106), per FanGraphs.

That Coffey has shown a propensity to hit the ball hard is certainly encouraging. Defensively, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has logged 252 innings at shortstop and 185 innings at third base. He has also made one start at second base and has committed 11 total errors in 166 defensive chances between the three positions.

Coffey, 19, was selected by the Red Sox in the second round (41st overall pick) of last year’s amateur draft out of Liberty High School (Bakersfield, Calif). Boston obtained the 41st selection in the 2022 draft after failing to sign Florida outfielder Jud Fabian in 2021. The club swayed Coffey away from his commitment to Texas by signing him for $1.85 million.

Like fellow early-round picks Mikey Romero and Roman Anthony, Coffey took batting practice and officially put pen to paper at Fenway Park last July. He then struggled in the rookie-level Florida Complex League (.456 OPS in 11 games) and — according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier — had to play his way into a full-season roster spot this spring.

Coffey was, of course, able to accomplish that by breaking camp with Salem. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 28 prospect in Boston’s farm system. As was recently the case with Anthony, one has to wonder if Coffey could soon be on the verge of a promotion to High-A Greenville. That may be something worth monitoring on the other side of the All-Star break next month.

(Picture of Cutter Coffey: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox acquire righty reliever Andrés Núñez in minor trade with Royals

The Red Sox swung a minor trade on Monday, acquiring right-hander Andres Nunez from the Royals for cash considerations, per the club’s transactions log.

Nunez has spent the entire season with Kansas City’s Triple-A affiliate in Omaha, Neb. and is expected to report to the WooSox in the coming days, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.

Nunez, 27, was originally selected by the Royals in the 29th round of the 2018 amateur draft out of Florida International University. The Southwest Ranches native signed with Kansas City for $75,000 and has appeared in 163 minor-league games (one start) since making his professional debut that June.

After earning Omaha Pitcher of the Year honors in 2022, Nunez received his first-ever invite to major-league spring training back in January. He returned to the Storm Chasers for the start of the 2023 campaign and pitched to a 6.66 ERA (4.53 FIP) with 20 strikeouts to 14 walks over 21 relief appearances spanning 24 1/3 innings of work.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Nunez operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a mid-80s sweeping slider, a low-90s sinker, and a mid-80s changeup. For his career at the Triple-A level, he owns a lifetime 4.86 ERA in 92 outings (109 1/3 innings) dating back to the start of the 2021 season.

Nunez, who turns 28 in September, figures to provide the Red Sox with additional bullpen depth at Triple-A Worcester moving forward. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and Co. have made an effort to address this area throughout the season, most notably claiming journeymen Brennan Bernardino and Justin Garza off waivers in April. Boston also acquired righty Tayler Scott from the Dodgers for cash considerations last week and have since assigned him to the WooSox.

(Picture of Andres Nunez: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Nick Yorke, and Shane Drohan to represent Red Sox in All-Star Futures Game

Top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Nick Yorke, and Shane Drohan will represent the Red Sox in next month’s All-Star Futures Game in Seattle, Major League Baseball announced on Monday.

Mayer, Yorke, and Drohan will all suit up for the American League at T-Mobile Park on July 8. The Red Sox are the only team from the AL with three representatives lined up to play in the annual showcase that pits the top prospects from all 30 clubs against one another.

Mayer, 20, is currently regarded by Baseball America as the top prospect in Boston’s farm system and the No. 6 prospect in the sport. The left-handed hitting shortstop was recently promoted to Double-A Portland and has batted .177/.258/.418 with four doubles, five home runs, 13 RBIs, 11 runs scored, three stolen bases, 10 walks, and 19 strikeouts in his first 21 games (94 plate appearances) with the Sea Dogs.

Prior to making the jump to Portland, though, Mayer had gotten his 2023 season off to a strong start, slashing .290/.366/.524 with 11 doubles, one triple, seven homers, 34 RBIs, 23 runs scored, five stolen bases, 17 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 35 games (164 plate appearances) with High-A Greenville. All told, he has hit .250/.327/.487 between the two levels thus far.

Yorke, 21, is ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 3 prospect and the No. 86 prospect in the game. The right-handed hitting second baseman spent the entire first half of the 2023 campaign with Portland, hitting a stout .286/.377/.475 with 12 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 33 RBIs, 47 runs scored, six stolen bases, 32 walks, and 64 strikeouts in 60 games spanning 276 trips to the plate.

Both Mayer and Yorke were selected by the Red Sox in the first rounds of the 2020 and 2021 amateur drafts, respectively. Drohan, on the other hand, was taken in the fifth and final round of the COVID-shortened 2020 draft out of Florida State.

Drohan began the season in Portland and dazzled to the tune of a 1.32 ERA with 36 strikeouts to nine walks in his first six starts (34 innings) with the Sea Dogs. That string of performances resulted in the 24-year-old left-hander earning a promotion to Triple-A Worcester last month, but he has since struggled to a 5.03 ERA with 33 strikeouts to 27 walks in eight starts (39 1/3 innings) for the WooSox.

Rated by Baseball America as the top pitching prospect (No. 7 overall) in Boston’s farm system, Drohan was forced to leave his start on Sunday with a calf cramp. After tossing four scoreless innings against Lehigh Valley out of the gate, the lefty experienced discomfort while warming up for the top of the fifth and ultimately left the field with a trainer.

According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, the plan as of now is for Drohan to make his next scheduled start in Buffalo later this week. The Red Sox, of course, will be sure to exercise caution if any pain lingers.

As always, this year’s installment of the Futures Game will consist of seven innings. The contest will be broadcasted exclusively on Peacock beginning at 7 p.m. eastern time.

(Picture of Marcelo Mayer: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Niko Goodrum earns International League Player of the Week honors

Red Sox minor-league infielder Niko Goodrum has been named the International League Player of the Week for the week of June 19-25, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Goodrum had a strong week for Triple-A Worcester in its latest series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Polar Park. Starting all six games, the switch-hitting 31-year-old went 10-for-21 (.476) at the plate with four doubles, one home run, four RBIs, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, seven walks, and six strikeouts to close out the first half of the minor-league season. That one homer came on Tuesday, which also happened to be his daughter’s second birthday.

On the 2023 campaign as a whole, Goodrum has batted .279/.443/.428 with nine doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, 47 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 63 walks, and 60 strikeouts in 63 games (280 plate appearances) for the WooSox. His 22.5 percent walk rate ranks first among qualified International League hitters, per MiLB.com’s leaderboards.

Goodrum has put up these numbers while seeing playing time at four different positions for Worcester. The versatile 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has logged 243 innings at first base, 171 1/3 innings at second base, and exactly 100 innings at third base. He also made one start in right field back on May 18.

A veteran of six major-league seasons between the Twins, Tigers, and Astros, Goodrum signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox in December. Though he did not make Boston’s Opening Day roster out of spring training, he has fared well in Worcester and has made a positive impact in the clubhouse as well.

Bobby Dalbec said as much in a recent conversation with MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith, noting that Goodrum pulled him aside in between a doubleheader earlier this season and “kind of showed me something on my swing path and it was very clear to me.”

WooSox manager Chad Tracy, meanwhile, had glowing reviews for Goodrum’s approach at the plate when speaking with MassLive.com’s Katie Morrison-O’Day back in late April.

“He’s a pro, very professional,” Tracy said. “He swings at strikes, gets deep in counts, manages at-bats, foul things off. You’re watching a guy who has played in the big leagues for a while. He’s got a plan of what he’s trying to do when he goes in there and sticks to it.”

According to SoxProspects.com’s Chris Hatfield, Goodrum can opt out of his contract on July 1 (this Saturday) if he has not yet been added to the Red Sox’ active roster. Given how he has performed as of late, the odds have him opting out in order to find a better opportunity elsewhere have likely increased.

(Picture of Niko Goodrum: Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox catching prospect Johanfran Garcia named Florida Complex League Player of the Week

Red Sox catching prospect Johanfran Garcia has been named the Florida Complex League Player of the Week for the week of June 19-25, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Garcia went 8-for-15 (.533) at the plate with three doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, five runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in four games for the FCL Red Sox last week. Both of those home runs came in a 10-4 win over the FCL Braves down in Fort Myers last Monday, marking the first multi-homer game of his professional career.

On the 2023 campaign as a whole, the right-handed hitting Garcia has batted .340/.444/.604 with four doubles, two triples, those two home runs, 12 runs driven in, 12 runs scored, one stolen base, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts across 13 games (63 plate appearances) with Boston’s rookie-level affiliate.

Defensively, Garcia has served as the FCL Red Sox’ primary catcher in front of the likes of Brooks Brannon, Diego Viloria, Rivaldo Avila, and Johnfrank Salazar. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound backstop has logged 56 innings behind the plate thus far and has thrown out three of six would-be base stealers. He gunned down a runner at third base in the ninth inning of Monday’s contest against the FCL Orioles (which was later suspended due to rain) at JetBlue Park.

Garcia, 18, originally signed with the Red Sox for $850,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in January 2022. The Valencia native is the younger brother of minor-league outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia (who signed with the club three years prior) and is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 33 prospect in Boston’s farm system.

Considering that he does not turn 19 until December, it feels safe to assume that Garcia will spend the rest of the summer in the FCL. As things stand now, he is viewed as a bat-first catcher who has the potential to stick behind the plate moving forward.

(Picture of Johanfran Garcia: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox to promote top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox are promoting top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

Rafaela was informed of the decision following Portland’s 7-3 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils at Hadlock Field on Sunday afternoon. He did not play in the game.

“It’s very exciting,” Rafaela told Speier. “I’ve been waiting for this chance. I’m happy I get it. I need to go up there and do the same thing I’ve been doing . . . I’ve been working, developing, and I feel very ready right now.”

In 60 games for the Sea Dogs this season, Rafaela batted .294/.332/.441 (107 wRC+) with 18 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBIs, 40 runs scored, an Eastern League-leading 30 stolen bases, 14 walks, and 55 strikeouts across 266 plate appearances. The right-handed hitting 22-year-old initially got his 2023 campaign off to a slow start, but he has turned it around as of late and is slashing a stout .341/.384/.533 (143 wRC+) in his last 34 games (152 plate appearances) dating back to May 13.

On the other side of the ball, Rafaela is considered to be one of the more polished defenders in the Red Sox organization, as evidenced by him being named the club’s Minor League Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. This season alone, the versatile 5-foot-9, 165-pounder made 43 starts at center field and seven at shortstop for Portland. He committed eight errors in 163 defensive chances.

While the defensive abilities are undoubtedly there, there are some concerns when it comes to Rafaela’s plate discipline. He struck out in 20.7 percent and walked in only 5.3 percent of his plate appearances with the Sea Dogs this year, though he has worked to improve both of those marks in recent weeks.

A native of Curacao, Rafaela originally signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an international free agent in June 2018. He has since risen through the ranks and was added to Boston’s 40-man roster last November in order to receive protection from the Rule 5 Draft.

Rafaela, who turns 23 in September, is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 5 prospect in the Red Sox farm system behind only Marcelo Mayer, Miguel Bleis, Nick Yorke, and Roman Anthony. He is now slated to join a talented WooSox roster that includes other top prospects such as Shane Drohan, Brandon Walter, Enmanuel Valdez, and Wilyer Abreu.

By earning a promotion to Worcester, Rafaela is one step closer to reaching the major-leagues. To get there, he will need to show that he can handle and succeed against advanced competition at the Triple-A level.

(Picture of Ceddanne Rafaela: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Luis Perales named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week

Red Sox pitching prospect Luis Perales has been named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 12-18, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Perales made one start for Low-A Salem in its series against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Carilion Clinic Field this past Saturday. The 20-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and one walk to go along with seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings of work.

The lone hit and walk came with one out in the top of the second inning. Perales then retired the last 14 batters he faced to finish with 74 pitches (50 strikes). He also induced 14 swings-and-misses and picked up the win as the Red Sox went on to defeat the Shorebirds by a final score of 5-0.

In 10 starts for Salem this season, Perales has posted a 4.06 ERA and 3.12 FIP with 49 strikeouts to 21 walks across 37 2/3 innings. After allowing seven earned runs in his first two starts of the year, the righty has pitched to a 2.60 ERA and 2.93 FIP in his last eight outings (34 2/3 innings) dating back to April 21.

Among the 93 Carolina League pitchers who have worked at least 30 innings to this point in the 2023 campaign, Perales ranks 21st in strikeouts per nine innings (11.71), 28th in strikeout rate (29.5 percent), 38th in batting average against (.221), seventh in swinging-strike rate (16.5 percent), 17th in FIP, and 32nd in xFIP (3.69), per FanGraphs.

Perales originally signed with the Red Sox for $75,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in July 2019. The Guacara native is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks third among pitchers in the organization behind only left-handers Shane Drohan and Brandon Walter.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, Perales throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot and operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a 94-97 mph fastball that tops out at 99 mph, a power slider that sits in the mid-80s, and a developing changeup that sits in the upper-80s.

Though the results have been encouraging as of late, there is still room for improvement when it comes to Perales’ command of the strike zone. Put another way, it would be beneficial if continued to cut down on the walks as he has been doing in recent weeks.

Perales, who does not turn 21 until next April, could be nearing a promotion to High-A Greenville if current trends continue. He made the jump from the Florida Complex League to Salem a little more than 10 months ago, so the one-year anniversary for that milestone is fast approaching.

(Picture of Luis Perales: Gary Streiffer/Flickr)

Red Sox to promote pitching prospect Bradley Blalock to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox are promoting pitching prospect Bradley Blalock from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, according to MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.

Blalock, 22, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 43 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 17th among pitchers in the organization. The right-hander has posted a 1.50 ERA and 2.82 FIP with 22 strikeouts to just four walks in four starts (18 innings) for Salem this season. He has put up those numbers while holding opposing hitters to a .167 batting average against.

In his last time out against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Carilion Clinic Field this past Thursday, Blalock struck out six and walked only one over five frames of one-run ball. He induced 11 swings-and-misses and topped out at 99 mph with his fastball after reaching 97 mph with the offering in his previous three outings.

A native of Georgia, Blalock was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 32nd round of the 2019 amateur draft out of Grayson High School. The club swayed Blalock away from his commitment to Kennesaw State by signing him to an over-slot bonus of $250,000 that July.

Blalock debuted in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League but had his first full season in pro ball derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He then pitched to a 4.27 ERA in 23 starts for Salem in 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery last March.

During the lengthy 14-month rehab process, Blalock altered his pitch mix by drawing inspiration from Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. In addition to a revitalized fastball that has flashed increased velocity post-surgery, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound righty now works with a split-change (Gausman’s pitch), an 84-86 mph gyro slider, and a curveball that features 11-to-5 break.

“It’s definitely cool to be back,” Blalock told Smith last week. “I was talking to somebody about this the other day. It definitely kind of reminded me of that COVID year in 2020. It was just like, ‘Hey, an extra year down and I can get better. I’ve got something to prove.’ I put my head down. Got in there every day with the training staff, in the weight room and the pitching coach in Fort Myers and definitely took advantage of all the resources I had down there.

“Some people go into it and they are like, ‘Oh, dang. This is gonna suck. I don’t know what to expect for the next year,’” he continued. “I feel like the first two days after I knew I was going to have surgery, it was definitely tough. But after that it was like, ‘OK, what’s next? I’m gonna put my head down and grind.’ I was definitely in the best possible spot I could be in to have this with the resources we have.”

Blalock, who does not turn 23 until December, is now set to join a starting rotation in Greenville that includes Wikelman Gonzalez, Angel Bastardo, Juan Daniel Encarnacion, and Dalton Rogers. He will help fill the void left behind by fellow righties Isaac Coffey and Hunter Dobbins, who were both promoted to Double-A Portland on Monday.

(Picture of Bradley Blalock: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox to promote pitching prospects Isaac Coffey, Hunter Dobbins to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox are promoting pitching prospects Isaac Coffey and Hunter Dobbins from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, according to MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.

Coffey, who turns 23 on Wednesday, has posted a 2.83 ERA and 3.92 FIP with a South Atlantic League-leading 83 strikeouts to just 10 walks in 11 starts (60 1/3 innings) for the Drive this season. The right-hander fanned eight over 5 2/3 frames in his last time out against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Fluor Field this past Thursday.

Among qualified pitchers in the South Atlantic League, Coffey ranks third in strikeouts per nine innings (12.38), second in strikeout rate (34.4 percent), second in walks per nine innings (1.49), second in walk rate (4.1 percent), 10th in batting average against (.222), third in WHIP (1.01), seventh in swinging-strike rate (14.8 percent), 10th in ERA, 13th in FIP, and first in xFIP (2.78), per FanGraphs.

Coffey was selected by the Red Sox in the 10th round of last year’s draft out of Oral Roberts. The California native signed with the club for a mere $7,500 yet is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 51 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 22nd among pitchers in the organization.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Coffey throws from a sidearm slot and operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of an 88-90 mph fastball that tops out at 91 mph, a 77-79 mph slider that features 10-to-4 break, and an 83-84 mph changeup that is considered to be a work in progress. He becomes the second member of the Sox’ 2022 draft class to make the jump from Greenville to Portland this season, joining fourth-rounder Chase Meidroth.

Dobbins, meanwhile, has forged a 2.63 ERA and 2.52 FIP with 44 strikeouts to just five walks in seven starts (41 innings) for the Drive this season. The 23-year-old righty also struck out eight across six two-run frames in his last time out against Greensboro this past Friday.

Among the 57 South Atlantic League pitchers who have accrued at least 40 innings to this point in the 2023 campaign, Dobbins ranks first in walks per nine innings (1.10) and walk rate (3.1 percent). He also ranks 20th in strikeout rate (27.3 percent), fourth in WHIP (0.95), and sixth in swinging-strike rate (16.8 percent) after not making his first start of the year until May 7.

Dobbins was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of Texas Teach. After undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier that spring, the Lone Star State native signed with Boston for $197,500 and did not make his professional debut until last July. He currently is not rated by SoxProspects.com as one of the top pitching prospects in the system.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Dobbins — who turns 24 in August — throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot and works with a four-pitch mix that consists of a 91-94 mph fastball that tops out at 96 mph, a 74-78 mph curveball, an 83-85 mph circle changeup, and a high-80s slider that is rarely used.

Both Coffey and Dobbins figure to join a starting rotation mix in Portland that includes C.J. Liu, Brian Van Belle, Sterling Sharp (who is currently on the injured list), Grant Gambrell, and Wyatt Olds. The Sea Dogs open a six-game series against the Reading Fightin Phils at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night.

(Picture of Isaac Coffey: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)