Listed below are the top 5 prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization as ranked by Jason Parks and Baseball Prospectus. To view the full feature, please visit this link.
Prospect rankings primer
Last year's Red Sox list
The Top Ten
- SS Xander Bogaerts
- CF Jackie Bradley, Jr.
- 3B Garin Cecchini
- RHP Matt Barnes
- LHP Henry Owens
- C Blake Swihart
- RHP Allen Webster
- 2B Mookie Betts
- C Christian Vazquez
- LHP Trey Ball
1. Xander Bogaerts
Position: SS
DOB: 10/01/1992
Height/Weight: 6’3” 185 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: International free agent, 2009, Aruba
Previous Ranking: #1 (Org), #12 (Top 101)
2013 Stats: .250/.320/.364 at major-league level (18 games), .284/.369/.453 at Triple-A Pawtucket (60 games), .311/.407/.502 at Double-A Portland (56 games)
The Tools: 6+ potential hit; 6+ potential power; 6 arm; 5 glove
What Happened in 2013: Bogaerts crushed in two upper-level stops before arriving at the major-league level, where the (now) 21-year-old made his presence felt in the regular season before blossoming under the bright lights of the postseason.
Strengths: Great hands and coordination; easy, fluid swing; shows bat speed and bat control; projects to hit for both a high average and game power; advanced approach; instincts enhance profile at short; arm is plus.
Weaknesses: Defensive profile at short is average; actions can get stiff; range isn’t ideal because of fringe run, but plays up because of instincts and good first step; over-the-fence pop still immature.
Overall Future Potential: 7; all-star level player
Realistic Role: 6; first-division player
Risk Factor/Injury History: Low risk; achieved major-league level
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Bogaerts is ready, willing and able to be one of the next great middle infielders in the fantasy realm. Even without the ability to add much value on the bases (he’s 17-for-33 on the basepaths in his minor-league career), he can provide Troy Tulowitzki-type value everywhere else. A potential .300 hitter with 25-plus homers and potentially huge RBI totals is a special player, and makes Bogaerts the top fantasy prospect in baseball.
The Year Ahead: Bogaerts has the type of profile to develop into a star, a middle of-the-diamond defender with a high-upside bat capable of producing a high average and game power. The makeup is insane, and any setback or failure on the field won’t derail or dissuade his progression toward his ultimate goal. Adjustments will be necessary after the book on Bogaerts is passed around, but his feel for the game and speed of adaptation will allow him to thrive at the highest level despite his inexperience and age.
Major league ETA: Debuted in 2013
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