Tag: pitching prospects

Red Sox relief prospect Ryan Fernandez has struck out 40 percent of the batters he has faced since earning promotion to Double-A Portland

Red Sox relief prospect Ryan Fernandez needed just 24 pitches — 19 of which were strikes — to toss two scoreless innings and wrap up a 9-4 win for the Portland Sea Dogs over the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Wednesday night.

Since earning a promotion from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland on July 3, Fernandez has made eight relief appearances for the Sea Dogs. The right-hander has posted a 3.60 ERA and 3.43 FIP with 16 strikeouts to just two walks over 10 innings of work in those outings.

Prior to making the jump to Double-A, Fernandez began the 2022 season in Greenville and pitched to a 4.00 ERA (but more respectable 3.19 FIP) with 40 punchouts to nine walks across 25 appearances spanning 27 innings of relief for the Drive.

So, between the two levels to this point in the season, the 24-year-old has produced a 3.89 ERA and 3.25 FIP while recording 56 strikeouts and issuing 11 walks over 33 relief appearances (37 total innings). He has also converted 10 of a possible 13 save opportunities.

To put that all into perspective: Among the 57 pitchers in the Red Sox farm system who have thrown at least 30 innings coming into play on Thursday, Fernandez ranks second in strikeouts per nine innings (13.62), 12th in walks per nine innings (2.68), first in strikeout rate (35.9%), third in swinging strike rate (20.8%), 12th in walk rate (7.1%), 10th in groundball rate (52.3%), 13th in FIP, and third in xFIP (2.74), per FanGraphs.

The Red Sox originally selected Fernandez in the 23rd round of the 2018 amateur draft out of Hillsborough Community College in Plant City, Fla. The Tampa native signed with the club for $125,000 and made his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League.

Despite the amount of success he has enjoyed so far this season, Fernandez has not yet caught the attention of any industry publications to the point where is ranked as one of the top 30 or so prospects in Boston’s farm system.

Per his SoxProspects.com scouting report, the 6-foot, 170-pound hurler throws from a three-quarters arm slot and operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of a 96-98 mph fastball that tops out at 99 mph, a 90-92 mph cutter with a high spin rate, and an 87-89 mph slider.

Fernandez, who does not turn 25 until next June, can become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter if he is left off the Red Sox’ 40-man roster in November. With that being said, it would not be too surprising if Boston has Fernandez pitch in the Arizona Fall League later this year so that it may further evaluate him.

Having Fernandez pitch in Arizona this fall would also give other clubs the opportunity to see the Florida-born righty in-person.

(Picture of Ryan Fernandez: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox pitching prospect Luis Perales opening eyes in Florida Complex League

Red Sox pitching prospect Luis Perales was recently recognized by Minor League Baseball as the Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 11-17.

In two outings against the FCL Rays and FCL Twins last week, Perales allowed just one hit and no walks to go along with 11 strikeouts over six scoreless, nearly-perfect innings of work.

On the 2022 campaign as a whole, the right-hander has posted a 1.38 ERA and 1.93 FIP with 19 punchouts to just three walks over five appearances (three starts) spanning 13 innings pitched for Boston’s rookie-level affiliate in Fort Myers.

Among the 175 pitchers in the FCL who have thrown at least 10 innings so far this season, Perales ranks 19th in strikeouts per nine innings (13.15), 36th in walks per nine innings (2.08), eighth in strikeout rate (38.8%), 30th in swinging strike rate (35.7%), 39th in walk rate (6.1%), 25th in batting average against (.156), 10th in WHIP (0.77), 21st in ERA, fifth in FIP, and 17th in xFIP (2.98), per FanGraphs.

Perales, 19, originally signed with the Red Sox for $75,000 as an international free-agent coming out of Venezuela in July 2019. He did not make his professional debut until last year in the Dominican Summer League, but was limited to just one start due to injury.

Despite any concerns there, the Red Sox still moved Perales up to the FCL for the start of the 2022 season and he has made the most of his opportunity so far. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound righty has proven to be effective thanks to a pitch mix that consists of a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 98 mph, an advanced curveball that sits in the mid-70s, and a developing changeup.

Perales, who does not turn 20 until next April, still has plenty of room to grow from both a physical and developmental point of view. He is currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 52 prospect in Boston’s farm system and should continue to climb those rankings, especially if he can work his way up to Low-A Salem before the end of the minor-league season.

(Picture of JetBlue Park: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Stiwar Adames making strides in Dominican Summer League

Red Sox pitching prospect Stiwar Adames was recently recognized by Minor League Baseball as the Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 11-17.

In two outings for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox Blue affiliate last week, Adames tossed six scoreless, one-hit innings in which he struck out six while only yielding two walks to the 21 batters he faced.

On the 2022 season as a whole, the left-hander has posted a 2.08 ERA and 3.27 FIP to go along with 22 strikeouts to nine walks over nine appearances spanning 21 2/3 innings of work.

Among 177 DSL pitchers who have thrown at least 20 innings to this point in the season, Adames most notably ranks 39th in batting average against (.184), 47th in WHIP (1.06), 48th in ERA, 60th in FIP, 69th in swinging strike rate (36%), and 74th in groundball rate (45.3%), per FanGraphs.

Adames, who turns 20 next month, originally signed with the Red Sox for $50,000 as an international free-agent coming out of the Dominican Republic in February 2020. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound southpaw made his professional debut in the DSL last July and has since pitched to a 2.22 ERA (3.86 FIP) across 44 2/3 total innings at that level.

Compared to last year, Adames has been able to cut down on his walks (13.1% to 10.5%) while also striking out more hitters (13.1% to 25.6%). Considering that he turns 20 in just a few weeks and is a bit older for his level at the DSL, one has to wonder if Adames could soon make his way to the United States by earning a promotion to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

(Picture of Stiwar Adames via his Instagram)

Red Sox select Biola University left-hander Connor Butler with final pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 609th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected Division II Biola University left-hander Connor Butler.

Butler, 22, is not ranked by Baseball America as one of the top pitching prospects in this year’s draft class. The Idaho native began his collegiate career at the University of Hawaii — where he was briefly teammates with Jeremy Wu-Yelland — before transferring to Spokane Falls Community College and then again to Biola ahead of the 2021 campaign.

This past season with the Eagles, Butler posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.68 WHIP to go along with 47 strikeouts to 32 walks over 15 appearances (one start) spanning 22 innings of work.

Listed at 6-feet and 180 pounds, Butler does not turn 23 until next April. He has eligibility remaining, so it is no guarantee that he will sign. If he does, the allotted slot value for the 609th pick in this year’s draft sits at $125,000.

—

That concludes the 2022 MLB Draft. In all, the Red Sox selected 21 players. Of those 21 players, seven were taken out of high school and 14 were taken out of college.

(Picture of Connor Butler: Biola University Athletics)

Red Sox select Oklahoma right-hander Jaret Godman with 19th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 579th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected University of Oklahoma right-hander Jaret Godman.

Godman, 22, is not regarded by Baseball America as one of the top pitching prospects in this year’s draft class. This past season for the Sooners, the Las Vegas native posted a 6.98 ERA and 1.91 WHIP to go along with 17 strikeouts to seven walks over 20 relief appearances spanning 19 1/3 innings of work.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Godman operates with a 92-95 mph fastball and an 81-82 mph slider. The senior hurler also spent part of his summer last year pitching for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Godman, who does not turn 23 until next May, was college teammates with fellow righty Wyatt Olds, whom the Red Sox took in the seventh round of last year’s draft. He becomes the 12th college pitcher to be selected by Boston this time around.

The allotted slot value for the 579th pick in the 2022 draft comes in at $125,000. The Red Sox will have until August 1 to ink Godman, who could sign for less than that amount.

(Picture of Jaret Godman: University of Oklahoma Athletics)

Red Sox select Santa Rosa Junior College right-hander Austin Ehrlicher with 18th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 549th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected Santa Rosa Junior College (Calif.) right-hander Austin Ehrlicher.

Ehrlicher, 19, is not ranked by Baseball America as one of the top pitching prospects in this year’s draft class. This past season, the California native posted a 4.26 ERA with 43 strikeouts to 14 walks over 10 appearances (eight starts) spanning 38 innings of work for the Bear Cubs.

He also made five appearances (three starts) for the Healdsburg Packers of the California Collegiate League earlier this summer, pitching to a 4.15 ERA with 12 punchouts to seven walks across 13 innings.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, Ehrlicher is a two-sport athlete who also plays basketball and averaged 6.4 points per game as a freshman. Since he attends a junior college, Ehrlicher does not need to sign with the Red Sox before the traditional August 1 deadline.

Instead, the Sox can wait up until one week before next year’s draft to sign Ehrlicher for up to $225,000. As Boston’s director of amateur scouting, Paul Toboni, explained to reporters on Tuesday, Ehrlicher is now considered a “draft and follow” player.

(Picture of Austin Ehrlicher: Darryl Bush /For The Press Democrat)

Red Sox select Southern Mississippi right-hander Garrett Ramsey with 16th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 489th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected University of Southern Mississippi right-hander Garrett Ramsey.

College teammates with third-round selection Dalton Rogers, Ramsey is not regarded by any major publication as one of the top pitching prospects in this year’s draft class.

The 22-year-old made 21 relief appearances for the Golden Eagles this spring, posting a 2.61 ERA and 1.39 WHIP to go along with 45 strikeouts to 11 walks over 31 innings of work.

A native of Brandon, Miss., Ramsey began his collegiate career at Hinds Community College before transferring to Southern Miss. ahead of the 2021 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 194-pounder operates with a low-90s fastball as well as a slider, according to Perfect Game.

Ramsey, who turns 23 in late October, has at least one year of eligibility remaining. If he winds up signing with Boston it is worth mentioning that the allotted slot value for the 489th pick in this year’s draft come in at $125,000.

(Picture of Garrett Ramsey: University of Southern Mississippi Athletics)

Red Sox select Missouri left-hander Nathan Landry with 15th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 459th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox have selected University of Missouri left-hander Nathan Landry.

Landry, 23, is not regarded by any major publication as one of the top pitching prospects in this year’s draft class. The Quebec native spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Mineral Area College before transferring to Mizzou for his junior season.

In 15 appearances (four starts) for the Tigers this spring, Landry posted a 3.67 ERA and 0.91 WHIP to go along with 54 strikeouts to just seven walks over 41 2/3 innings of work.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Landry becomes the first player the Red Sox have taken out of the University of Missouri since 2017, when they used their first-round pick on right-hander Tanner Houck.

Landry, who does not turn 24 until next May, is not a guarantee to sign with Boston since he has one year of eligibility remaining at Mizzou. If the lefty elects to go pro, the allotted slot value for the 459th pick in the 2022 draft is $125,000. The Red Sox will have until August 1 to sign him.

(Picture of Nathan Landry: University of Missouri Athletics)

Red Sox select Auburn left-hander Hayden Mullins with 12th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 369th overall pick in the 2022 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected Auburn University left-hander Hayden Mullins.

Mullins, 21, is not regarded by Baseball America as one of the top pitching prospect’s in this year’s draft class, though the Tennessee native was ranked 119th by BA coming out of high school in 2019.

While he was not drafted back then, Mullins recently put the finishing touches on a junior season with Auburn in which he posted a 3.63 ERA and 1.39 WHIP to go along with 43 strikeouts to 25 walks over 11 appearances (eight starts) spanning 34 2/3 innings of work for the Tigers.

One of the primary reasons Mullins was limited to just 34 2/3 innings this spring was because of injury. On March 25, he left his start against Texas A&M after throwing three innings. On April 29, he left his start against Tennessee after throwing 1 2/3 innings and was later shut down for the rest of the season due to an elbow injury.

Listed at 6-foot and 194 pounds, Mullins has a high leg kick in his delivery and works with an 86-90 mph fastball that reaches 92 mph as well as a 72-79 mph curveball, per his 2019 scouting report.

Mullins, who turns 22 in September, has eligibility remaining so it is no sure thing he will go pro right now. Regardless of that, though, it is worth mentioning that the lefty played with 2021 ninth-rounder Tyler Miller as both a freshman and sophomore at Auburn.

The recommended slot value attached to the 369th pick in the 2022 draft comes in at $125,000, which is actually the case for all of Boston’s Day 3 selections. The Red Sox will have until the end of the month to sign Mullins.

(Picture of Hayden Mullins: Auburn University Athletics)

Red Sox select Long Beach state right-hander Marques Johnson with 11th-round pick in 2022 MLB Draft

With the 339th overall pick in the 2020 MLB first-year player draft, the Red Sox selected California State University, Long Beach right-hander Marques Johnson.

Johnson, 22, is regarded by Baseball America as the 328th-ranked prospect in this year’s draft class. Formerly of Riverside Community College, the Hemet, Calif. native posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.15 WHIP to go along with 51 strikeouts to 21 walks over 14 appearances (six starts) spanning 44 1/3 innings of work for the Dirtbags this season.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Johnson “has a fast arm,” according to his Baseball America scouting report. “His average fastball touches 95 mph and sits 91-93 mph. He generates high spin rates with his fastball, but as of yet, that has not generated exceptional movement or life on his heater. He throws a low-80s above-average slider that has plenty of tilt. He’s steadily improved his now fringe-average changeup.”

The hard-throwing senior began his collegiate career as a reliever before moving into Long Beach State’s starting rotation towards the end of the 2022 season. Because of that, some evaluators wonder if Johnson would be better suited for a relief role moving forward, though he still could develop into a productive starter.

Johnson, who does not turn 23 until next July, becomes just the third player the Red Sox have ever drafted out of Long Beach State, joining the likes of 2019 21st-rounder Dylan Spacke and 2018 seventh-rounder Jarren Duran. The righty also becomes the seventh college pitcher Boston has taken in this year’s draft.

The recommended slot value attached to the 339th selection in the 2022 draft comes in at $125,000. The Red Sox will have until August 1 to sign Johnson, as well as the rest of their draft picks.

(Picture of Marques Johnson: Long Beach State Athletics)