Red Sox 2013 Prospect Report

By Spencer Schneier| @BaseballSpencer | Beyond the Box Score 

The Red Sox have pumped a lot of money and resources into this system and should start to see the rewards of it very soon. Good scouting combined with great player development has built one of the best and deepest systems in baseball. With upside talent such as Bogaerts, Barnes and Webster, the Red Sox could get some impact from their system. They also however, have some good role players. Guys like Brentz, Iglesias and Vinicio could all play significant roles as part-time players.The key for this system will be developing the talent, as many of these guys have room to grow. Either way, the Red Sox have a bright future.

1 | XANDER BOGAERTSxander1

Bogaerts broke out in a big way in 2012, and 2013 could be an even larger step for him. Signed by the Red Sox in 2009 as an IFA, he has done nothing but hit. Bogaerts has a career minor league OPS of .861, which really understates how special his bat might just end up being. In Double-A over 97 plate appearances at the year (remember he is just 19), Bogaerts hit .326 and slugged .598. While some forecast a move to third base in the end, Bogaerts still has a somewhat decent shot at sticking at shortstop. As he fills out his 6’3 frame however, he may have no choice but to move to third. The bat certainly can profile at any position, with potential for easy plus hit and easy plus power. His ETA is probably 2014, but I could conceivably see him tearing up the Eastern League and getting a late call-up to Fenway.

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