Red Sox prospect Stephen Scott was one of eight minor-leaguers selected to participate in the first-ever Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby on Saturday.
Scott will compete alongside the likes of the Diamondbacks’ Deyvison De Los Santos, the Twins’ Edouard Julien, the Orioles’ Heston Kjerstad, the Cubs’ Matt Mervis, the Dodgers’ Andy Pages, the Mariners’ Robert Perez Jr., and the Phillies’ Jhailyn Ortiz at Mesa’s Sloan Park.
Of the eight players who will put their power on display this weekend, Scott is the only one who is not regarded by MLB Pipeline as one of the top 30 prospects within his own organization.
In 13 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions this fall, Scott has batted .327/.386/.673 with one double, one triple, five home runs, 15 RBIs, 15 runs scored, one stolen base, five walks, and 10 strikeouts over 57 plate appearances. The left-handed hitter is currently in a four-way tie for the lead league in homers and a two-way tie for the lead league in slugging percentage.
Defensively, Scott has seen most of his playing time with the Scorpions come at catcher. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound backstop has logged 88 innings behind the plate thus far and has thrown out four of 20 base stealers.
Scott, 25, was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 10th round of the 2019 amateur draft out of Vanderbilt University. The North Carolina native began his professional career in the outfield but has since transition to become a full-time catcher. He split the 2022 minor-league season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland is expected to return to the Sea Dogs next spring.
Other Arizona Fall League notes:
Nick Yorke returned to Scottsdale’s lineup on Tuesday for the first time since October 25. After missing more than a week with left wrist soreness, the 20-year-old second baseman batted leadoff for the Scorpions and went 1-for-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts in their 7-6 win over the Solar Sox.
Following Tuesday’s performance, Yorke is now slashing .318/.420/.470 with seven doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs, 15 runs scored, 12 walks, and 14 strikeouts in 17 AFL contests (81 plate appearances). The former first-round pick is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 4 prospect in Boston’s farm system.
Thad Ward, who has been sidelined with a left oblique strain since Oct. 10, is nearing a return to in-game action for the Scorpions. The 25-year-old right-hander is expected to pitch in a game by the end of the week or this weekend, according to SoxProspects.com’s Chris Hatfield.
The Red Sox sent Ward to Arizona after he was limited to just 51 1/3 minor-league innings this season on his road back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. The native Floridian had made two starts for Scottsdale prior to getting hurt last month and allowed four runs over 7 2/3 innings. He is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s fifth-ranked pitching prospect.
Finally, 2022 Fall Star rosters will be revealed in full on Friday. Of the eight eligible Red Sox prospects, Scott and Yorke would seem to have the best chance of being named to the American League squad. Maybe right-handed reliever Jacob Webb will garner some consideration as well.
The Fall Stars Game itself will take place on Sunday, November 6, at Sloan Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. eastern time. The showcase will be broadcasted on MLB Network.
(Picture of Stephen Scott: Barry Gossage/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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