Travis Shaw connected on a three-run homer last night…He has both homers this week (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor – Sitting Still Photography).

The Sea Dogs continue their four-game series with the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) on Saturday night at New Britain Stadium…The two teams split a twinbill on Friday night.

Roster Move: Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt received from Single-A Lowell…RH Chris Martin was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Portland Lineup: Hissey 7, Bogaerts 6, Shaw 3, Thomas DH, Linares 9, Almanzar 5, Wilkerson 8, Vazquez 2,  Meneses 4, Barnes RHP

New Britain Lineup: Richardson 8, Christian 4, Sobolewski 5, Pinto DH, Ortiz 9, Rodriguez 7, Santana 6, Rohlfing 2, Smith 3, Meyer RHP

BACK TO ONE: Portland and New Britain split a double header on Friday night, and resume their 4-game series on Saturday night at New Britain Stadium…Tonight marks the 13^th meeting of the season between the two teams…Portland has not lost a road series this season and holds the best road-record in the Eastern League at 10-4…Connecticut native Matt Barnes (3-1, 5.19) makes his seventh start of the season and his third against the Rock Cats.

Beehive Field was once the home of the New Britain Red Sox, it sits adjacent to New Britain Stadium.

THAT’S A SPLIT: Matt Spring clubbed a game-winning, two-run homer in the fourth inning, leading the Sea Dogs to a 6-4 win in game one…Travis Shaw gave Portland a 3-2 lead with a three-run homer in the fourth…Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger earned his first win of the season, working 5.2 innings on five hits and four runs…In game two, Trevor May hurled a two-hit shutout, as the ‘Cats took the nightcap 6-0…Xander Bogaerts and Peter Hissey had singles in game two…Brandon Workman (4-1) took his first loss of the year, giving up five runs on eight hits over 5.1 IP.

DESERVED THE PROMOTION: Right-hander Chris Martin earned the save in the opener, recording the final four outs…Martin extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings, tying Clay Buchholz for the fourth longest in team history…Earlier today, Martin was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket…RHP Jeremy Kehrt takes Martin’s spot on the roster…Kehrt appeared in three games with Pawtucket earlier this season and was on Lowell’s roster.

THAT MAKES TWO THIS WEEK: Shaw has hit both homers this week…The first baseman hit his first home run of the season on May 7^th vs. Reading, a solo-shot with two outs in the fourth…Spring blasted his second homer of the year – both against New Britain…Last night’s homers by Shaw and Spring came against Cole De Vries, who was making a MLB Rehab Assignment (Loss, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO).

NOT BAD FOR ON THE ROAD: Dating back to 2011, the Sea Dogs are 4-0-1 in series at New Britain Stadium…Portland took two of three from the Rock Cats on April 11-14, winning the series opener 9-3…After a rainout on April 12^th, the two-teams played back-to-back 10-inning games, with the ‘Cats taking the series finale 6-5…The rainout in the series opener will be made up when Portland returns to New Britain Stadium on July 22-24…The ‘Dogs have three doubleheaders on the schedule.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and New Britain conclude their four-game series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1:35 PM…The Sea Dogs have a scheduled off day on Monday and open up a three-game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) on Tuesday night.

My All-Time Favorite moment in Sea Dogs History…Brandon Moss walks the ‘Dogs into the Eastern League Championship.

After a rainout last night, the Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils open up a three-game series at First Energy Stadium…Last night was Portland’s third postponement this season…Monday’s game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the ‘Dogs return to Reading in June.

Pete Ruiz Video Interview

Player moves:

Coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Steve Degler – former voice of the Reading Phillies.

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Shaw 3, Linares 9, Thomas 7, Almanzar 5, Vazquez 2, Spring DH, Meneses 4, Workman RHP

Reading Lineup: Cartwright 6, Hanzawa 6, Collier 8, Murphy 3, Henson 5, Rupp DH, Valle 2, Mitchell 7, Hewitt 9, Rosin RHP

MOSS TO THE RESCUE AGAIN

• Guess it’s good I had trouble sleeping last night…I reached for my phone around 4:30 and checked Twitter, it’s something I do when I can’t sleep. I saw tweets from Buster Olney about the A’s and Angels game. I pulled it up on my phone and saw Moss’s homer…Ironically, former Sea Dog Jed Lowrie was at first.
• The Sea Dogs went on to beat the Akron Aeros in five games to capture their first ever E.L. Championship, but that moment in the N.D.C.S. was still my favorite moment.  We all knew Moss was a special player. He had big hits in big spots, a formula that some players just shine in. I’m so happy he found a spot in Oakland with former Sea Dogs: Josh Reddick and Jed Lowrie.
• From my Game Notes on September 12, 2006 (Game was September 9th)
• Game 4 Rundown of the NDCS: Brandon Moss launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10^th inning, lifting the Sea Dogs to a 4-3 victory over the Trenton Thunder to win the Northern Division Championship Series, 3 games to 1.  Moss threw out J.T. Stotts at the plate, the potential go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, keeping the game tied at three.  Portland trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning but Luis Jimenez tied the game with a two-out RBI double down the left-field line, scoring pinch-runner Matt Van Der Bosch.  Trenton took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, scoring three runs off Frank Brooks following a 90-minute rain delay.  Brooks allowed just those runs in six innings on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts.  Barry Hertzler worked two scoreless innings to earn his first post-season win.  Scott Patterson worked an inning and 2/3 to suffer the loss.  Brian Myrow had two hits, including his second post-season home run and an RBI double.

  PART TWO OF THE TRIP: After taking two of three from the Trenton Thunder, the Sea Dogs resume their roadtrip on Tuesday night at First Energy Stadium against the Reading Fight Phils…Portland dropped two of three to the Phils on April 8-10 at Hadlock Field…At 13-9, the ‘Dogs have the best record in the Eastern League, and hold a one-game lead over Reading for the top spot in the Eastern Division…The Sea Dogs have won all three road series this season, last year, they didn’t win their third road series until the middle of May.

  CLUTCH ALL AWAY AROUND: The Sea Dogs erased two early deficits, to beat the Trenton Thunder 9-5 on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park…Michael Almanzar snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-run homer in the fifth, off losing pitcher Francisco Rondon…Drake Britton (2-2) retired the final 11 batters faced, to earn the win for Portland…Britton gave up four runs on six hits, two walks and a season-high, seven strikeouts…Shannon Wilkerson tied the game at four with a two-run double…Ryan Dent and Matt Spring each had 2 RBI for the ‘Dogs…Portland’s five stolen bases all scored.

  THAT’S A CAREER DAY FOR A CATCHER: Christian Vazquez stole two bases on Sunday, his first multi-stolen base game of his career…Vazquez went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 10 of 11 games: 13-for-37 (.351).

  AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 21 games for the season and 22 dating back to 2012…Shaw went 2-for-5 on Sunday with two singles and leads the Eastern League with 22 walks…Trenton’s Kyle Roller currently has the best on-base streak this season at 22 games…Heiker Meneses has reached base safely in 18 straight road games, dating back to May 14, 2012.

  CAME TO AN END: The Sea Dogs lead the league with 10 triples, but did not have one on Sunday, snapping a six-game streak with at least one triple…Xander Bogaerts leads the team with three triples, which is tied for the top spot in the E.L.

  IT HAD BEEN A WHILE: Portland’s series win in Trenton was their first since April 22-25, 2010, when they took three of four…The Sea Dogs are looking to go four games over .500 for the first time since June 20, 2010, when they were 36-32…Portland has won seven of their last nine. 

  WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Reading continue their three-game series tomorrow morning at 11:35 AM, and will also start at 11:35 AM on Wednesday…Portland returns home on Friday, May 3rd, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate).

  

  They even have ostrich at First Energy Stadium.

Panoramic view of Arm & Hammer Park.

The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon…Portland took the middle game last night 6-0.

Player moves: OF Ronald Bermudez promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket…C Alberto Rosario received from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Coverage begins at 12:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Portland Manager Kevin Boles

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Shaw 3, Thomas 7, Almanzar 5, Vazquez 2, Spring DH, Meneses 4, Dent 9, Britton LHP

Trenton Lineup: Flores 8, Pirela 4, Austin DH, Roller 3, Medchill 7, Higashioka 2, Stevenson 5, Castillo 6, Brown 9, Rondon LHP

NUMBERS GAME

1. Number of games Xander Bogaerts will play this series…No worries, Xander was away at his sister’s wedding.
2. Ranaudo’s 0.83 ERA is second in the Eastern League.
3. Rosario’s addition makes it three catchers on the roster
4. Number of at-bats for Matt Spring in his first start of the season on Saturday…Spring went 1-for-4.
5. Britton was the Opening Day starter and his making his 5th start of the season
6. Portland has a triple in six straight games.

THAT WOULD BE A RUBBER GAME: Portland and Trenton play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J…Last night was Portland’s second shutout of the season – both have been on the road (April 17th at Binghamton)…The Sea Dogs are a ½ game behind the Erie SeaWolves for the best record in the Eastern League…After today’s contest, the two teams don’t meet until June 21-23, a three-game series in Trenton.

Shannon Wilkerson had a 3-run triple on Saturday…Portland leads the league with 10 triples and has one in six straight games. (photo by Sitting Still Photography).

NOW THAT’S PITCHING: Righty Anthony Ranaudo (3-0) tossed six scoreless frames, allowing just two hits and fanning a career-high nine batters, leading the Sea Dogs to a 6-0 win over the Thunder on Saturday night…Ranaudo, who was pitching in his home state, earned his third straight win…Portland scored twice in the second and added three runs in the fourth inning on Shannon Wilkerson’s bases-clearing triple…Derrik Gibson went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks…Right-hander Zach Nuding (0-3) took the loss for Trenton, surrendering five runs (four earned) over six innings pitched.

MAYBE THE NAME CHANGE WILL HELP: Arm & Hammer Park, formally known as Waterfront Park in Trenton, has not been kind to Portland…The ‘Dogs have dropped 17 of their last 23 games against the Thunder in New Jersey…Portland won the season series in 2010, taking four of seven.

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 20 games, by going 1-for-4 with a double on Saturday…Shaw’s on-base streak is currently the longest in the league, and tied with Altoona’s Andrew Lambo for the longest on-base streak in the Eastern League this season.

ANOTHER ONE?: The Sea Dogs lead the league with 10 triples, but has nine in the last six games…Xander Bogaerts has a triple in three straight games…Heiker Meneses, Tony Thomas and Wilkerson each have two triples on the season.

HIGH FIVE: Portland had a reliever strikeout five batters in consecutive games (Last Wednesday and Friday)…In the series opener, Keith Couch fanned a season-high 5 over 2.1 innings…Ruiz struck out five on Wednesday against Binghamton…Chris Martin has a team-high 14.1 scoreless inning streak to start the season.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Tomorrow, the Sea Dogs open up a four-game series in Reading, PA against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…The final two games of the roadtrip begin at 11:35 AM…Portland returns home on Friday, May 3rd, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate).

Anthony Ranaudo makes his 4th start of the season…The righty grew up 40 miles from Arm & Hammer Park.

Player move: OF Ronald Bermudez activated from the disabled list.

Coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Josh Mauer, Voice of the Trenton Thunder

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Meneses 4, Shaw 3, Thomas 7, Almanzar 5, Vitek DH, Spring 2, Bermudez 9, Gibson 6, Ranaudo RHP

Trenton Lineup: Flores 9, Pirela 4, Austin 9, Murphy 2, Roller 3, Heathcott 8, Medchill DH, Castillo 6, Stevenson 5, Nuding RHP

HOMECOMING: Jackson, New Jersey native Anthony Ranaudo, makes his fourth start of the season for the Sea Dogs in game two of the series on Saturday night…Ranaudo attended St. Rose High School, just 42 miles from Arm & Hammer Park…Portland has dropped two straight, and has not lost consecutive road contests this season…RHP Zach Nuding, who allowed seven unearned runs at Hadlock Field on April 5^th, makes his fifth start of the season for the Thunder.

DECIDED EARLY: Trenton scored all six runs off Matt Barnes (1-1) in 4.2 innings, taking the series opener, 6-3 on Friday night at Arm & Hammer Park…Tony Thomas drove in all three runs for Portland, going 2-for-4…Thomas delivered an RBI double in the first and a two-run triple in the fifth…J.R. Murphy led the Thunder with three hits and Kyle Roller nailed a two-run double in the third…Nik Turley (2-1) earned the win for the Thunder, working five innings on six hits and three runs…Jose Ramirez hurled four scoreless frames in his Double-A debut and earned a save.

MAYBE THE NAME CHANGE WILL HELP: Arm & Hammer Park, formally known as Waterfront Park in Trenton, has not been kind to Portland…The ‘Dogs have dropped 17 of their last 22 games against the Thunder in New Jersey…Portland won the season series in 2010, taking four of seven.

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 19 games, by going 0-for-2 with three walks (Eastern League leader with 22) on Friday…Shaw’s on-base streak is currently the longest in the league…Altoona’s Andrew Lambo had a 20-game on-base streak from April 4-24.

RAINING 3’S: The Sea Dogs and Harrisburg lead the league with nine triples…Portland has eight in the last five games…Xander Bogaerts has a triple in three straight games, Thomas has tripled in back-to-back starts.

HIGH FIVE: Portland has had a reliever strikeout five batters in consecutive games…Last night, Keith Couch fanned a season-high 5 over 2.1 innings…Ruiz struck out five on Wednesday in the series finale against Binghamton…Chris Martin extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings to start the season, working a scoreless frame last night.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Trenton (Yankees affiliate) conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM…On Monday night, the Sea Dogs open up a four-game series in Reading, PA against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…The final two games of the roadtrip begin at 11:35 AM.

What a great sign as you enter JetBlue Park at Fenway South

Good morning from Ft. Myers where the temps are back in the 70′s. You’ll hear no complaining from me, but yesterday the locals were very upsets with 62 as the high for the day.

This afternoon the Sea Dogs and Pawtucket Red Sox make the 10-minute commute to Lee County to battle the Twins affiliates.  Righty Keith Couch is expected to start for Portland, and could crack the ‘Dogs 5-man rotation.  Last year, Couch went 11-9, 3.46 ERA in 28 games/22 starts with High-A Salem.

Possible Opening Day lineup for Portland: C – Christian Vazquez, 1B – Travis Shaw, 2B – Heiker Meneses, 3B – Kolbrin Vitek, SS – Xander Bogaerts, LF – Peter Hissey, CF – Ronald Bermudez, RF – Shannon Wilkerson, DH – Michael Almanzar.

Yesterday - Brandon Jacobs and Keury De La Cruz played in the Salem games…That still doesn’t mean they can’t start the year somewhere else.

Player to keep an eye on…Shannon Wilkerson, OF. Last year he was called up to Portland due to injuries in Portland’s outfield. Despite both being from Georgia, Wilkerson reminds me a lot of former Sea Dog Josh Reddick…Both have that rugged style of play – throwback as one would say.  In addition to having great speed and an above average arm, Wilkerson can play all three outfield spots.  I like how he handles himself on and off the field. He’s a great teammate. Keep your eye on him this season.

View from the Monster Seats at JetBlue Park

Sox Notes

• Article on former Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler
• Former Sea Dog Ryan Lavarnway optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket earlier today
• Manager John Farrell expects to have his 25-man roster set by the end of Thursday’s game – the Sox are at home versus the Twins at 7:05 PM.
• Former Sea Dog Jon Lester was named the Opening Day starter…4 of the 5 in the Sox rotation are former Sea Dogs – Lester, Buchholz, Dempster and Doubront.
• We should know the fate of Jackie Bradley Jr. by 11:00 PM tomorrow night.

Sea Dogs Itinerary upcoming

Sunday, March 31

Players & coaches flying from Fort Myers scheduled to arrive.

Monday, April 1

Players & coaches driving from Fort Myers scheduled to arrive.

No Media Availability

Tuesday, April 2

9:00-11:00 AM: Team Workout at USM (Media is welcome to shoot the workout but players are unavailable for interviews)

Wednesday, April 3

Time TBA- Team Workout at Hadlock Field (field conditions permitting)

3:00-4:00 PM: Media Day                       Sea Dogs Clubhouse

Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles, coaches, players, and front office staff will be available for interviews and photos in the Sea Dogs clubhouse. Media is asked to enter the clubhouse through the doors facing Fitzpatrick Stadium.  Media may pick-up full season credentials at this time.

4:00 PM: Team Meeting- Clubhouse closed to Media

5:30 PM: Welcome Dinner

The annual Welcome Dinner to benefit the Opportunity Alliance will take place at the Portland Expo.  Please contact Chris Cameron at ccameron@seadogs.com or 207-874-9300 to arrange any live shots.

Thursday, April 4

Opening Day

4:00 PM Gates top Hadlock Field Open

6:00 PM Trenton Thunder (Yankees) @ Portland Sea Dogs

Catcher: Michael Blanke (Winston-Salem) – My pre-season pick, Evan Gattis, only played 21 games in the Carolina League and mashed while he was at it, but I find it hard to put him on back on the roster with so few games played. Blanke isn’t a big time prospect but the league as a whole didn’t have a strong year with catchers. Blanke wasn’t quite as good defensively in 2012 but he still has huge arm strength, solid receiving skills and pop in his bat. He could be a big league backup down the line. (Pre-Season Pick: Evan Gattis)

First Base: Travis Shaw (Salem) – I’m not a huge fan of any first base prospects in this league but somebody has to take this spot. Shaw has a good approach and very real power to all fields. There’s little projection left in his game and he will have to crush upper level pitching to truly get a big-league shot, but he put the right foot forward with a strong Carolina League performance. (Pre-Season Pick: Jesus Aguilar)

Second Base: Tommy La Stella (Lynchburg) – I gave serious consideration to Chicago’s Carlos Sanchez in this spot but I’m going with one of my personal favorites and a guy with more offensive potential. La Stella isn’t flashy and he has a small window as an actual prospect but he made a fan out of several scouts this year and will get a big test next year in Double-A. (Pre-Season Pick: Tommy La Stella)

Third Base: Christian Villanueva (Myrtle Beach) – Another injury to Anthony Rendon limited his time in the Carolina League as he was rushed to Double-A when he came back late in the season. That opened the door for another player to step into this spot and Christian Villanueva took the opportunity, despite being flipped to the Cubs at the trade deadline. While with Myrtle Beach, Villanueva hit .285/.356/.421 and showed a well-rounded game that could make him a solid regular. (Pre-Season Pick: Anthony Rendon)

Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts (Salem) – I cheated on my Eastern League team to make sure both Bogaerts and Manny Machado could make the roster. Did you really think I wasn’t going to put him on this team as well? Bogaerts is an ultra-talented kid with tons of tools and plenty of ability to translate his tools to on-field skills. In 104 Carolina League games, Bogaerts hit .302/.378/.505 and showed improved defensive actions, giving some hope that he may stay at shortstop during his early years in the big leagues. (Pre-Season Pick: Xander Bogaerts)

Outfield: Jackie Bradley (Salem), Brandon Jacobs (Salem), Trayce Thompson (Winston-Salem) – Bradley’s polished and broad range of skills overwhelmed Carolina League pitching and forced a promotion to Double-A around mid-season. He should be a solid-average to above-average regular in center field for a long time in Boston. Jacobs wasn’t nearly as successful with Salem in 2012 but he still shows impressive tools, including athleticism, power and speed. He remains quite raw but has impact potential if he can pull it all together. I’ve always been a sucker for Trayce Thompson’s tools and things finally started to click this year. He is a quality defender with a strong arm and the offensive game – despite tons of swing and miss – began to show in games. If the White Sox are willing to live with the strikeouts, they could have a power-speed combination that plays quality defense. (Pre-Season Pick: Brandon Jacobs, Matt Lipka, Michael Taylor)

Pitcher: Matt Barnes (Salem), Dylan Bundy (Frederick), Yordano Ventura (Wilmington) – Ventura is the only returning member to this roster and even he didn’t last long in the Carolina League as he lit up radar guns and impressed with his improved feel for pitching. There remains a wide range of outcomes for Ventura, including a very good starting pitcher or lights out closer, but the Royals will give him every chance to develop in the rotation. Bundy and Barnes both blew through the Carolina League as well, with Bundy receiving the call to the big leagues after last night’s extra-inning game for Baltimore. Bundy is an elite talent and a guy that could spend the bulk of the 2013 season in the big league rotation. Barnes on the other hand isn’t in the same class as Bundy, but he is still a very good prospect with easy number three projection and the potential to peak a tick higher than that. (Pre-Season Pick: Roman Mendez, Matt Purke, Yordano Ventura)

Knuckleballer Steven Wright earned his 10th win of the season on Sunday – his debut in the Red Sox system.  Earlier today, Wright was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.  Righty Brandon Workman has joined Portland from High-A Salem and makes his Double-A debut Sunday in Erie.

Additional moves: C Jayson Hernandez assigned to High-A Salem…Righty Andrew Bailey will continue his 30-day MLB Rehab Assignment in Pawtucket. Workman pitched last night for Salem, fanning nine over six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, but suffered the loss. The righty went 7-7, 3.40 ERA (43 ER/113.2 IP) in 20 starts with the Salem Sox.   Lineups for Wednesday

Jeff Shaw (Travis Shaw’s dad) pitched in the Eastern League with Canton in 1988…Travis was born the year his dad made his Major League debut.

Knuckleballer Steven Wright earned his 10th win of the season in his previous start, but that was his first with the Sea Dogs…Wright worked six innings on Sunday, allowing five hits and one run.  This couldn’t have worked out better for Wright, who was traded on July 31st from Akron and is now back in his former park.  On Monday, Wright was able to get his personal belongings and settle up some loss ends that he had in Akron.

Sticking with Ohio, 1B Travis Shaw attended Kent State, 20 minutes from Canal Park, and will have a lot of family at the game tonight, including his dad Jeff Shaw.  Travis has played at Canal Park when he was in college, he’s really looking forward to these three days.  The Shaw’s are from Washington Court House, Ohio – three hours from Akron.

Travis was nice enough to join me before tonight’s game, the interview is below.

With a win tonight, Portland ties a season-high for consecutive wins with with five…the ‘Dogs are 5-1 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division – their final 15 games against the West this season.

Lineups for Tuesday

So what should Boston do with Bard?

The Sox bullpen is clicking – putting Bard there right now would be disruptive. And given Bard’s recent performance – could hurt the team.

Better to either DL Bard (with a real or phantom injury) or send him to Pawtucket to try to get straightened out.

I would send Bard to the PawSox and have him pitch out of the bullpen – not the rotation.

It addresses a Red Sox potential need in the short term – perhaps getting his power arm ready (or more accurately, getting his power arm back) for the big club in the second half of the season.

And it addresses the long term – Bard’s no starter. Time to shelve that thinking. (For an alternative view on this position – check out Gordon Edes’ column.)

The Red Sox have Daisuke Matsuzaka getting ready to come off the DL and he can take Bard’s spot in the starting rotation.

I am not particularly bullish on Dice-K’s return – he wasn’t particularly effective pre-operation, so what can we expect post-operation?

But for now – give him a shot while the Red Sox do some shopping for another starter.

And as noted in a recent post, with Cubs starter Matt Garza at the top of the trade target list.

Red Sox Prospects Gain Weekly Honors

MiLB.com released its weekly minor league players of the week – with Red Sox farmhands landing some shout-outs. The top offensive player list included Portland OF Bryce Brentz who continued to pound Eastern League pitching and Salem 3B Travis Shaw who had four homers over the last week.

The weekly top pitcher list includes lefty Drake Britton – who has been just recently promoted from Salem to Portland. This is shaping to be a comeback season for Britton – rebounding from a 1-13 performance last year.

Without having any knowledge of what actually goes on inside Boston’s draft room, it sure seems like the Red Sox general approach to drafting is simple: find the best guy, offer fair amounts of money, and let the chips fall where they may. Four years of college in Boston turned me off to the Red Sox – it was more the oversaturated coverage and delusional fan base (you guys are New England’s Yankees, not some scrappy underdog that all of America roots for, alright?) than a commentary on the job the front office was doing – but I still greatly admire the way they draft. Quibble with the names at the top of the draft if you’d like, but the plan there is undeniably awesome. Here’s what they came up with on the draft’s first day: a good college arm who has shown flashes of greatness, arguably the top prep bat who slipped because of defense and signability, a high school lefthander who might as well be twins with Tyler Skaggs in terms of long-term projection, and a key cog from the two-time defending national champions who also happens to be a plus defender at a critical position. That’s an easy to like quartet from a talent perspective alone, but what I admire most there is the way Boston knowingly diversified their investment. They hit four different demographics (high school bat, high school arm, college bat, college arm) with their first four picks. As Bart Simpson once said, “that ain’t not bad.”

Connecticut RHP Matt Barnes gets a little bit of a bad rap as a “safe” college choice with the ceiling of a mid-rotation arm. Being a safe prospect with mid-rotation upside isn’t typically a bad thing, but Barnes has the chance for four above-average pitches. I wouldn’t disagree with somebody who believed Barnes most likely positive outcome was a solid mid-rotation starting pitcher, but his ceiling is closer to a frontline big leaguer in the mold of Daniel Hudson.

Connecticut JR RHP Matt Barnes: 90-93 FB, 95-96 peak; has hit 97-98 in past; great movement on FB; great FB command; holds velocity well, still hitting 90-92 late; good 82-84 CU that gets better every time out; 72-76 CB that is now firmed up enough that  it is a potential plus 75-80 CB; 78-83 SL with plus upside, but doesn’t use it often; work needs to be on delivery and command of offspeed stuff; some debate on whether CB or SL is better breaking pitch, a good sign; uses CB more to get outs on balls in play, SL for swings and misses; 6-4, 200

Much of Cleveland HS (New Mexico) C Blake Swihart’s value is tied up in whether or not he’s equipped to handle full-time catching duties going forward. For what it’s worth, I’ve heard from those in the know that Boston is 100% committed to keeping him behind the plate and won’t even entertain a “Wil Myers” (their words) type move to right field. He might not be a natural behind the plate, but his elite athleticism and arm strength are exactly the kind of defensive tools a good coaching staff can build on. There’s not nearly as much doubt about his ability to hit because, well, he can really, really hit.

The hardest prospects to write about are the ones at the top of lists like this. What more can be said about Swihart that hasn’t already been said? The Texas commit has shown all five tools (hit, power, defense, arm, and speed) this spring, an extreme rarity for a catcher at any level. I realize speed is easily the least important tool you’d need to see in a catching prospect, but Swihart’s average running ability works as a proxy for his outstanding athleticism. In that way, Swihart is the prototype for the next generation of catchers. After an almost decade long flirtation with jumbo-sized backstops (e.g. Joe Mauer and Matt Wieters), baseball is going back towards an emphasis on athleticism and defense behind the dish.

A no-brainer to stick behind the plate (the aforementioned athleticism and reported 95 MPH-caliber arm from the mound will help), Swihart’s biggest tool is his bat. Plus opposite field power and consistent line drives are not the norm for a typical prep prospect, but Swihart’s hit and power tools both project as plus in the future.  I stand by my belief that Swihart will catch for a long time as a professional, but his great athleticism and plus bat might convince a team to fast track Swihart’s development by switching him to third base or right field. It should also be noted that Swihart has a little extra leverage because he’ll be draft-eligible again in 2013 after his sophomore season.

Forgive me if I’m a tad over the top in my praise of Edison HS (CA) LHP Henry Owens, but the guy embodies everything that I want in a pitching prospect. In a word, Henry Owens is projection. He has a good fastball, a curve that looks a little like a young Zito’s, and enough other fun secondaries (flashes of a plus change, a much improved cutter, a slider that gets swings and misses when on) to think he has the chance to be an above-average starting pitcher at the professional level.

LHP Henry Owens (Edison HS, California): 88-92 FB with more coming, 93-94 peak; crazy FB movement; plus FB command; plus control; potential plus 67-72 CB with big break, getting stronger each start; strong 77-79 CU with plus upside; shows 74-77 SL, but still a raw pitch; new cutter shows more promise; holds velocity well; Tyler Skaggs comp?; 6-5, 185 last summer, now up to 6-6, 200

I can get comp crazy when I’m at a loss for in-depth analysis, so can we all agree that South Carolina OF Jackie Bradley is the American version of Leonys Martin and move on? I’m far from sold on Bradley’s bat, but his defense in center should make him at least an average regular during his peak years.

[special defensive tools in CF, plus to plus-plus ability; interesting hit tool; above-average to plus speed, closer to plus; good athlete; above-average to plus arm; legit pro power potential with average upside; gap power for now; very quick bat; gifted across the board; mature approach; fully recovered from broken hamate bone; 20/20 upside; 5-10, 175; DOB 4/19/90]

As much as I hate to say it, I’m definitely getting a Greg Golson vibe from Grand Street HS (NY) OF Williams Jerez. Jerez looks rather dashing in uniform and possesses certain tools – most notably his eye-popping arm strength – that really stand out, but he’s so far away from being a good ballplayer that I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around what exactly it would take, not to mention how long it would take, for him to reach his ceiling. There’s a part of me that would love to see what his arm, size, and athleticism would look like when put on the mound, but that’s coming from a guy who swore Anthony Gose would be a fireballing relief prospect by now.

[plus athlete; good speed, but might not have instincts for CF; plus arm; extremely raw; average raw power; 6-4, 190]

Columbus HS (GA) C Jordan Weems seemed like an odd selection at the time, but different teams value different things, especially when it comes to catchers. I just think there is too much work to be done at the plate (though, admittedly, his swing looks fine and his whole fields approach is nice to see from a young hitter) to justify taking him over more advanced catching prospects. He’s already a solid defender with a legit plus arm, so there is something to work with here even if the bat never develops into what you’d want from a starter.

My favorite pitch in baseball is the changeup, so it should come as no surprise that I’m rooting extra hard for Cal State Fullerton RHP Noe Ramirez. I’ve already been obnoxious with the comps, so why not go the extra mile and mention a changeup-based comparison between Ramirez and Phil Humber? When Ramirez has command of his slider, he’s tough to hit.

Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Noe Ramirez: once straight 85-90 FB with occasional hard sink is now more consistently 88-92 (93 peak) with more consistent, more drastic sink; delivery is deceptive and adds miles to the FB; plus FB command; plus-plus 82-84 CU learned from Ricky Romero; paid it forward by helping Gerrit Cole with his CU grip; emerging 75-80 SL that has put on velocity and is now 82-85; SL is good but inconsistent; shaky command of offspeed pitches; 6-3, 180

Besides being an accomplished bowler, Overton HS (TN) SS Mookie Betts is also a pretty talented baseball player. He’s probably not a shortstop over the long haul, but his athleticism and sure hands should play at any number of spots on the diamond. His progress with the bat should be interesting to watch; there isn’t much power upside, but those who saw him in high school came away with his approach to hitting and patience at the plate.

I liked San Jacinto JC LHP Miguel Pena out of high school. I still liked him after his first year at San Jacinto. Now I’m not sure how I feel about him. He has the three pitches needed to start, but the lack of a big league out pitch hurts.

87-90 FB, peak 92; hard thrower with right hand as well; really good CU; plus control; lots of positive word of mouth has me sold, but admittedly little is still known about Pena relative to other names on list

Free State HS (KS) LHP Cody Kukuk has all the makings of a frontline big league pitcher. Whether or not he gets there is anybody’s guess, but there’s no questioning the upside his projectable frame, above-average fastball, and solid upper-70s slider give him a chance to do some major damage to big league bats.

LHP Cody Kukuk (Free State HS, Kansas): 88-91 FB, 93 peak; good 78 SL; CB; CU; good athlete; 6-4, 185

Playing football and baseball for Ole Miss trumped a big contract with the Red Sox, at least in the mind of Pascaquola HS (MS) OF Senquez Golson. As a big fan of the tradition and atmosphere of SEC sports (not to mention the “scenery,” if you catch my drift), I can’t really fault Golson for picking The Grove over bus rides to and from Lowell. It remains unclear if Golson will ever really emerge as an early round pick because, by all accounts, his heart belongs to the gridiron. That would be a shame because he’s a really good baseball prospect. I’m often slow to come around to raw but toolsy high school outfielders, but Golson’s five tool ability was too great to ignore. He’s obviously a sensational athlete with legitimate plus-plus speed who is able to translate at least some of that athleticism (mostly in the way he defends in center, but also in a hard to describe swing that just looks like something only a great athlete could pull off) to the diamond. His other tools – most notably above-average raw power and a stronger than expected arm – make him a potential middle of the order possibility down the line. If Jake Locker can get picked in the tenth round, then surely Golson, who figures to play more baseball than Locker at the college level, will get early round consideration in three years as well.  If, and that’s a Todd Coffey sized if right there, if Golson gets enough at bats at the college level, I genuinely think he’s a potential top ten overall pick as the first college bat off the board.

[great athlete; plus-plus speed; plus defensive upside in CF; strong arm; Jared Mitchell comp; quick bat; above-average raw power; 6-0, 180]

If Kent State 3B Travis Shaw can stick at the hot corner, he’s an interesting prospect. As a likely 1B/3B/DH long-term, however, expectations with the bat rise above what he might be capable of at the plate.

Lacking lateral quickness and agility, Shaw’s future at third base is a major question as he enters pro ball. If he can stay at third base — good pre-pitch positioning and quicker than you’d expect reactions give him his best shot — then his big power, great approach, and strong track record with wood would make him a fast riser on draft boards. Most of the industry leaders are already moving him off of third, however, so perhaps I’m being unrealistic in thinking he could someday grow into an average-ish fielder there. Probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: if he is a first baseman at the next level, his value takes a big hit.

Scouts that saw Wisconsin-Stevens Point OF Cody Koback this past spring came away talking about his potential as a lefty bashing righthanded backup outfielder with speed. Not having seen him myself, that assessment sounds about right to me. A best case scenario comp that I heard through the grapevine was fellow small school double digit round prospect Matt Joyce. It’s far from perfect – Joyce has more power and bats lefty, Koback hits righty and is more of a speedster – but comps rarely are. I still love ‘em…

We’ll start our look at players of note taken after the top ten rounds with some “bad” news: the talented unsigned players. When you draft as aggressively as Boston does, you do so knowing there is little to no chance every player you draft will sign a pro contract. The group of prospects signed by Boston is excellent. The group of prospects Boston wasn’t able to sign is also pretty damn impressive. The high school trio of Menchville HS (VA) RHP Deshorn Lake (Round 12), Byrnes HS (SC) RHP Daniel Gossett (Round 16), and Don Bosco Prep (NJ) LHP Jordan Gross (Round 40) all went unsigned but all should reemerge in three years as big-time draft prospects. Lake is very raw, but showed enough present stuff to go along with his well above-average athleticism to qualify as a very interesting follow at East Carolina. Gossett has quality ACC reliever stuff at the ready should he find himself in position to get innings early on in his stay at Clemson. Gross doesn’t have quite the stuff as Lake or Gossett, but offers plenty of projection as a lefthander capable of approaching 90 MPH with the makings of a pair of quality offspeed pitches (mid-70s change and a low-70s curve).

RHP Deshorn Lake (Menchville HS, Virginia): 88-91 FB, 93-94 peak; good 77-82 SL; 80-81 CU with upside, but needs reps; raw, but lots of projection; 6-2, 180 pounds

Maybe I’m nuts, but seeing Louisiana State RHP Matty Ott (Round 13) sign a pro contract really surprised me. Matty Ott just felt like a player who would play college baseball forever. His fastball is a bit short, but he gets enough consistent movement on it to make it an above-average pitch on balance. His slider can get big league hitters out, but seems to have regressed some since his spectacular freshman season. I’d still like to see him get a chance to start, but questions of health, lack of a third pitch, and Boston’s organizational starting pitching depth might keep that from happening.

Louisiana State JR RHP Matty Ott: 87-89 FB; does a lot with the FB, cutting it and sinking it very effectively; very inconsistent 78-81 SL; great command and deception; plus control; big problem is lack of an out pitch; 6-2, 200 pounds

SO RHP Matty Ott (2011) is exactly the kind of player that makes following the sport fun. He somehow pulls off always appearing both fiery and cool while on the mound, he gets big time results (69 K to 6 BB in 50.1 IP) through unconventional means (his funky low ¾ delivery is only a hair or two from dropping officially down to sidearm), and he is by all accounts a wonderful example of what a student-athlete ought to be. His hard, sinking high-80s fastball works really well in concert with a high-70s big league ready slider that makes life miserable for both lefties and righties alike. Ott’s prospect stock is in limbo because he doesn’t fit any kind of traditional baseball archetype. He hasn’t currently shown the stuff needed to start (although I’ll happily go on record in saying I think he’d blossom if given the opportunity to refine a third pitch), and he doesn’t have the knockout fastball that so many teams require out of their late inning aces. Maybe it is a personal blind spot of mine, but, archetypes be damned, I like players like Ott that get just get guys out. He has two big league pitches at present (fastball is a little short, but the movement bumps it up a grade) and has time to polish up a third offering. He won’t be a first rounder, heck he may not even be a candidate to go in the top 150 or so picks, but he could wind up his college career as a high floor, close to the majors kind of prospect. If you read this thing regularly you know I value upside and star potential very highly, but in a world that Brandon Lyon can get a $15 million contract, you’d better believe there is value in locking in a player like Ott for six cost-controlled big league years.

Kentucky RHP Braden Kapteyn (Round 15) has the stuff (good FB, hard SL, flashes an above-average CU) to start, but will likely remain a reliever in pro ball due to a funky delivery that he has difficult repeating. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say he looked like a position player trying to pitch. Oh, wait. If he ever makes it as a starting pitcher I hope it’ll be with a National League club because watching him swing the bat every fifth day would be a lot of fun. He hasn’t had the health issues of Joe Savery, but a similar career path (iffy run as starter, brief but promising return to hitting, return to pitching in a more comfortable relief role) is one possible outcome.

Kentucky JR RHP Braden Kapteyn: 89-94 FB; hard 88 SL; potential above-average CU; lots of moving parts in delivery; great hitter; 6-4, 215 pounds

My notes on Liberty RHP Blake Foslund (Round 17) say a lot without saying much. His fastball is big league quality, but the breaking stuff, command, and control are all not where they need to be. A year of success at Liberty could get him drafted on the first day next June. Arm strength like his don’t come around too often, so I’m betting on a huge junior season for the former prep star.

Liberty SO RHP Blake Forslund: 92-95 FB, 97-98 peak

JC of Southern Nevada RHP Sam Wolff (Round 47) should get the chance to start this upcoming season at New Mexico. If that’s the case, I like him to emerge as one of college baseball’s biggest “out of nowhere” success stories and become a top fifteen round pick next June. He started his college career at San Diego, but it wasn’t until junior college where his fastball, and subsequently his prospect stock, really picked up. I had him at maxing out at 91-92 out of high school, but Baseball America’s draft update had him peaking at 95 this past spring. He’s always been an unusually polished young pitcher with excellent command and an above-average breaking ball. Added growth to the fastball makes him a dangerous three-pitch prospect with the chance to do some very interesting things this fall for the Lobos.

Oxnard HS (CA) 2B Austin Davidson (Round 21) has the defensive tools to work himself into a good defender at either third base or second base. His bat profiles a lot better at second as he’s a player with a well-rounded skill set rather than an athlete with a plus tool or two. Guys without loud tools are smart to go to college where production is weighted more heavily than it is at the high school level. If a non-tools guy produces for three years in college, certain teams will take notice. Davidson will get noticed in three years.

Davidson’s down senior season will probably cost him some cash in the short-term, but his solid blend of tools will still get him noticed on draft day. I think he has the chops to be a good defender at third base, but his lack of power upside may keep him from ever holding down an everyday spot. It is tough to project a utility player on a high school prospect, but Davidson’s skill set — average arm, average speed, cerebral player — seems well suited for spot duty.

I don’t like Deven Marrero quite as much as I’m supposed to. I also didn’t like Christian Colon (prior to his draft year) as much as others. My small sample size (the first round shortstops of 2002 also come to mind) conclusion: college shortstops who are projected to stay at shortstop for defensive reasons tend to be overrated. That’s a good thing for Luella HS (GA) SS Julius Gaines (Round 32), a player I really happen to like as a defensive prospect. I don’t think he’ll ever be an early first rounder like Colon was and Marrero will likely be, but three years impressing scouts with his range and arm at Florida International could get him picked much earlier than anybody would currently guess.

There are about a dozen prep shortstops who can realistically lay claim to “potential big league shortstop,” a statement that is more about their defensive futures than any kind of upside at the plate. When projecting shortstops long-term, defense is king. If there is one thing we are sure Gaines can do, it’s defense. How the bat develops is a whole other story, but his range and hands at short are so good that his hit tool is almost an afterthought. Almost.

St. Xavier HS (KY) RHP Matt Spalding (Round 29) is a short righthander with a big fastball, hard slider, and violent delivery. If that sounds like a future reliever, then you’ve been paying careful attention.

RHP Matt Spalding (St. Xavier HS, Kentucky): 91-94 FB, 95-96 peak; 73-77 SL; violent delivery; 6-0, 190

Washington State 1B Taylor Ard (Round 25) has been a big favorite since his days at Mount Hood CC for his big raw power and surprising big man athleticism. He could jump into the top ten rounds with a big senior season, but the usual bat-first prospect caveats apply.

I feel as though my notes on Ard sum up his game pretty well: plus-plus raw power; average at best hit tool; good athlete; wrist injury kept him down in 2010; solid defender; strong track record hitting with wood; some question about ability to hit with funky swing, but just as likely an adjustment will help him tap into his raw power even more. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Maryland OF Matt Marquis (Round 41) in a nutshell: at Maryland he hit .207/.207/.310 in 29 at bats, but as a professional he hit .337/.429/.494 in 83 at bats. He’s a really gifted athlete who still shows all of the physical tools that made him such a highly sought after high school recruit, but something has held him back to this point. I’m seeing high boom/bust potential (starting caliber performances or stalling out in AA) in his future.

This past summer, a summer forever to be known to many prospect watchers as “The Summer of Trout,” I had a conversation with a friend well connected in the business who told me, and I know he won’t mind me quoting him here, “Matt Marquis was Mike Trout before Mike Trout was Mike Trout.” Pretty cool statement if you ask me. Marquis was a highly sought after high school prospect from New Jersey. He had speed, power to all fields, a strong arm, and an even stronger commitment to a great baseball school in Vanderbilt. A common comparison for each player, as funny as it seems with the benefit of hindsight, was Aaron Rowand. Getting the Trout vibe yet? Fast forward to today. Trout has completely blown up as a professional while Marquis has lagged behind. The second-year Maryland outfielder still offers up that tantalizing blend of above-average speed and raw power, but the production, from Nashville to College Park, has never matched the hype. Teams still hold out hope that he’ll put it all together as an above-average corner outfielder. Count me in as a believer.

I can’t wait to see if Wake Forest OF Mac Williamson (Round 46) can put it all together in his redshirt junior season. He’s a legit five-tool prospect who has made great strides in his approach to hitting since arriving at Wake Forest. From a pure tools standpoint, I’m not sure there are five better outfielders in all of college baseball. The biggest strike against him for me is the fact he’ll almost be 22 years old by the time next June’s draft rolls around.

Williamson, a potential catching conversion candidate at the pro level, has serious power upside and a plus arm, but his swing at everything approach could prevent him from ever getting the chance to put his crazy raw tools to use. He could very well be viewed as a potential late inning relief prospect because of the reported mid-90s heat to go along with a solid sinker/slider mix.

Keith Law updated his top 50 MLB prospect list (subscription required). The only Red Sox prospect to make the list was Portland Sea Dogs 3B Will Middlebrooks (#42) – who enjoyed playing in the recent Futures Game. The Blue Jays had 4 players and Yankees and Rays each placed 3 prospects in the top 50.

Milton, Mass. native Alex Hassan is quietly having a breakout year in Portland – drawing comparisons to no less than Kevin Youkilis. I saw Hassan demonstrate his quick bat last night, ripping a 98 mph fastball for 1 of his 2 hits in the Eastern League All-Star game.

Last year’s top draft pick 3B Kolbin Vitek says he continues to make adjustments while adapting to playing every day in pro ball. At High-A Salem, Vitek is posting okay numbers – .272 Avg. with 10 SBs but not much pop, 1 HR, 26 RBIs.

Quick Hits

• Lowell Spinners 3B Travis Shaw discussed learning the game from his dad – former MLB All-Star reliever Jeff Shaw.
• Stolmy Pimentel recently demoted from Portland had a shaky start in his season debut for Salem.
• Sea Dog Tim Federowicz spoke with Matt Goisman about his college days as catcher for Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller.
• Over the Monster weighed in with the blog’s mid-season Red Sox prospect report.

*** 2010: .407/.544/.832 – 68 BB/21 K – 226 AB
*** 2011: .337/.536/.550 – 82 BB/30 K – 202 AB

There are a lot of amazing young arms in this year’s draft class, but Rendon is still the top prospect in 2011. There is not a single legitimate concern about his on-field performance. Despite his lack of size and some nagging injuries that held back his numbers some this year, there is little doubt that his power upside is substantial. His defensive tools are outstanding. The hit tool is well above-average and his approach to hitting is special. The two most popular comps thrown his way are Ryan Zimmerman and Evan Longoria. I like the Zimmerman comp a lot, but I’ll toss another two names out there as well. Rendon’s play reminds me of a mix of a less physical, righthanded version of peak years Eric Chavez and current Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis, minus the unorthodox swing setup. Can’t blame the Pirates for going with the rare commodity that is a potential ace with the first overall pick, but if I was in charge — and thank goodness for Pittsburgh or every other franchise I’m not — then Rendon would be the pick without thinking twice.

2. Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole

*** 2010: .343/.448/.708 – 45 BB/34 K – 233 AB
*** 2011: .362/.457/.570 – 43 BB/31 K – 221 AB

It took me a while to warm up to Skole, but I’d rather be late to the party than too stubborn to change my mind. The plus power bat should play wherever you put him (first base is a safe fall back option, catcher is the riskier but more appealing choice), though it would obviously be preferable if he can continue to work to turn his surprisingly strong defensive tools (good arm, decent foot speed, quality athleticism) into at least league average caliber third base defense.

3. Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito

*** 2010: .397/.492/.660 – 37 BB/33 K – 262 AB
*** 2011: .357/.425/.552 – 16 BB/36 K – 230 AB

Esposito’s defense is big league ready, and his hit tool, raw power, and speed all grade out as average future tools at the next level. I swear I was ready to mention Matt Dominguez as a potential comp before reading Baseball America beat me to the punch, but it is a good enough comp that I don’t mind repeating it.

4. Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth

*** 2010: .380/.495/.733 – 44 BB/50 K – 236 AB
*** 2011: .304/.417/.546 – 38 BB/55 K – 207 AB

Some people believe in it, some don’t. Either way, I figured I’d pass along something two different people said to me with respect to BA Vollmuth. Two words were used to describe the Southern Mississippi shortstop: “star quality.” He has the requisite athleticism, arm, and above-average raw power to play third base in the big leagues down the line, but his loopy swing might need a tune-up

5. Arizona JR 3B Andy Burns

*** 2010: .282/.358/.565 – 20 BB/41 K – 177 AB

The only thing I don’t like about Andy Burns is the fact he had to sit out in 2011 after the former Colorado prep star transferred from Kentucky to Arizona. Every thing else is positive including his very good defensive tools (like the two guys sandwiched around him on this list, Burns is a former shortstop), plus arm, above-average speed, quick bat, and good raw power. He also has what could be a great separator if he hopes to crack this draft’s top five rounds: the proven ability to hit with wood. On top of all those legitimate reasons why I like Burns, I also have a strong instinctual feel for him. That’s almost certainly worth nothing to 99.9% of the readers out there, but I know my Mom likes it when I share stuff like that.

6. Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez

*** 2010: .328/.403/.672 – 33 BB/50 K – 241 AB
*** 2011: .328/.416/.424 – 29 BB/38 K – 198 AB

Had a weird moment when I was just about to start writing about Harold Martinez at the same time he came to the plate in the 4th inning against Florida during Regional play. Then I stepped away for a bit only to return to the still unfinished entry on Martinez exactly as he stepped up to bat in the 7th. Now that I see it typed out I realize it probably isn’t all that weird, but after writing about draft prospects almost non-stop over the past week and a half, I may be beginning to lose my mind.

As a prospect, Martinez does more than just time his television appearances well. He typifies what this uninspiring college third base class is all about: heavy duty of the word “but.” His defensive tools are solid and he certainly looks the part of a player capable of manning the hot corner, BUT his inconsistency making the routine play and erratic arm keep him from claiming third base as a sure fire long-term defensive home. He’s already plenty strong with the frame to get even bigger, BUT his above-average raw power fell off big time in 2011, in no small part because his long swing was geared towards the aluminum. He was a highly touted prep player who has played well over three years of competitive ACC ball, BUT he hasn’t dominated the competition in quite the way many had hoped. He’s a solid, potential top five round selection, BUT not a player you can pencil in as a long-term answer at third unless some of questions about his game are answered professionally.

7. Nebraska JR 3B Cody Asche

*** 2010: .335/.393/.565 – 18 BB/45 K – 209 AB
*** 2011: .337/.437/.668 – 36 BB/39 K – 208 AB

“Really like his approach, but have been underwhelmed by his overall package thus far” – that’s what I had in my notes re: Asche coming into the year. I’m happy to say that I’m no longer underwhelmed and now considered myself appropriately whelmed by his performance. I wasn’t alone in worrying that he wouldn’t stick at third coming into the year, but am now ready to go out on a limb and say I think his athleticism and instincts make him underrated at the position. Despite his very powerful throwing arm he’ll never be a good defender at third, but if his plus raw power would look really good if he can at least play at or around average defense as a pro.

8. Clemson JR 3B John Hinson

*** 2010: .370/.433/.635 – 27 BB/40 K – 230 AB
*** 2011: .333/.389/.504 – 22 BB/28 K – 228 AB

A plus hit tool combined with above-average speed and power will get you far professionally, but people smarter than myself have told me some teams question Hinson’s ability to play any one particular spot in the infield with the consistency needed of a regular. Based on my limited looks of him, I can’t say that I necessarily agree with that assessment, but his defensive skillset (good athlete, iffy arm) may make him better suited for second base than third. At either spot, he’s got the bat to make him a potential regular with a couple breaks along the way. He’s got a relatively high floor (easy to see him as a big league utility guy with pop) with the upside of a league average third baseman.

9. Texas State JR 3B Kyle Kubitza

*** 2010: .332/.433/.563 – 38 BB/41 K – 229 AB
*** 2011: .305/.445/.527 – 52 BB/46 K – 220 AB

Kubitza has many of the key attributes you’d want in a third base prospect – good raw power, solid arm strength, and a patient approach at the plate. The biggest question he’ll have to answer is on the defensive side, but I’m on board with the idea that good pro coaching can help him through some of his concentration lapses in the field.

10. TCU SO 3B Jantzen Witte

*** 2010: .415/.455/.592 – 9 BB/17 K – 147 AB
*** 2011: .365/.431/.515 – 28 BB/31 K – 241 AB

I do love a good draft-eligible sophomore, and Witte qualifies as one of the best in 2011. His defensive tools at third base are outstanding, worthy of consideration as top five (with Rendon, Esposito, maybe Burns…) in the college third base class. His swing and approach is geared towards hitting line drives and getting on base, but there’s still enough pop in his bat to keep pitchers honest.

11. Virginia JR 3B Steven Proscia

*** 2010: .325/.377/.548 – 22 BB/41 K – 252 AB
*** 2011: .354/.399/.527 – 17 BB/30 K – 237 AB

Most people love coffee. Every few months I’ll try a little sip, but it just doesn’t work for me. So many people enjoy it every day that I’m smart enough to know that it isn’t “bad” per se, but rather a specific taste that I just don’t enjoy as much as others. Proscia is a little bit like coffee for me. His defense at third is very good, he’ll show you a nice potential power/speed combo most days, and his athleticism is well above-average for the position. He’s a good prospect by any measure. Yet somehow after taking everything I’ve heard about him and having seen him play a few times myself, I remain unmoved by his upside. Solid player, no doubt; he wouldn’t be on this list otherwise. I just see him as much more likely to wind up a potential four-corners utility player than a starting third baseman.

12. Arizona State JR 3B Riccio Torrez

*** 2010: .386/.482/.627 – 20 BB/37 K – 228 AB – 21/25 SB
*** 2011: .309/.371/.466 – 15 BB/23 K – 204 AB

Torrez seems to finally have found a defensive home at third base. A team could draft him as a true third base prospect now and hope his bat grows into the role, or, and I think this is the more likely outcome, a team could draft him with the idea that he could develop into a versatile utility player. His only standout tool is his raw power, but even that is mitigated somewhat by a swing that currently lacks the proper loft needed to consistently drive balls up and out.

13. Coastal Carolina SR 3B Scott Woodward

*** 2010: .343/.512/.486 – 49 BB/48 K – 210 AB – 58/66 SB
*** 2011: .368/.500/.538 – 32 BB/54 K – 182 AB – 30/34 SB

It’s very easy to envision Scott Woodward playing in the big leagues someday. He’s got an outstanding approach to hitting, a discerning batting eye, and a really good idea of his fundamental strengths and weaknesses at the plate. Woodward ably uses his plus-plus speed to leg out infield hits, turn balls driven to the gaps into triples, and steal bases at a great success rate. Home runs will likely never be a big part of his game, but his is a game based more on speed and plate discipline anyway. He could have the type of career many once projected for former Dodgers prospect Joe Thurston. Another comp that I like a lot is Phillies minor leaguer Tyson Gillies, a comparison made more interesting due to the fact both players are hearing impaired, but one not at all dependent on that fact as the basis of the comp. When I first thought of it a few weeks ago the connection didn’t even occur to me, but the two players share enough distinct offensive similarities to make it work.

14. Kent State JR 3B Travis Shaw

*** 2010: .330/.453/.622 – 49 BB/41 K – 230 AB
*** 2011: .311/.408/.570 – 39 BB/36 K – 228 AB

Lacking lateral quickness and agility, Shaw’s future at third base is a major question as he enters pro ball. If he can stay at third base — good pre-pitch positioning and quicker than you’d expect reactions give him his best shot — then his big power, great approach, and strong track record with wood would make him a fast riser on draft boards. Most of the industry leaders are already moving him off of third, however, so perhaps I’m being unrealistic in thinking he could someday grow into an average-ish fielder there. Probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: if he is a first baseman at the next level, his value takes a big hit.

15. Texas A&M JR 3B Adam Smith

*** 2010: .263/.357/.495 – 20 BB/53 K – 194 AB
*** 2011: .225/.294/.387 – 12 BB/50 K – 142 AB

At some point, he has to do it on the field, right? Adam Smith is such a force of nature from a tools standpoint that you have to believe someday he’ll put it all together and show why so many have touted his ability for so long. He has the plus arm and plus defensive tools you’d expect from a former pitcher/shortstop, and his pro frame (6-3, 200) generates plenty of raw power on its own. What he doesn’t have is a good idea of the strike zone or a consistent at bat to at bat swing that can help him put said raw power to use. I’d love for my favorite team to take a chance on him after round ten (tools!), but probably couldn’t justify popping him much sooner than that (production…). One thing that would make gambling on Smith the third baseman a little less risky: if he doesn’t work out as a hitter, his plus arm could be put to good use back on the mound.

16. Mercer JR 3B Jacob Tanis

*** 2010: .354/.417/.668 – 21 BB/51 K – 268 AB
*** 2011: .321/.422/.565 – 35 BB/30 K – 237 AB

Tanis is an under the radar prospect who is capable of doing some good things at the next level if given the chance. His defense is good at third, his bat speed is more than adequate, and his athleticism gives him a chance to play a couple different positions in the field going forward.

17. Oklahoma JR 3B Garrett Buechele

*** 2010: .376/.460/.653 – 21 BB/41 K – 242 AB
*** 2011: .293/.354/.423 – 13 BB/31 K – 239 AB

Here’s what I wrote about Buechele last year at this time: “And so begins a stretch of players with starting caliber upside, but high bust potential. Buechele has one of the stronger pure hit tools of this college third base class, and his quickly emerging power make him one to watch. His defense is plenty good enough to stick at third, so the only thing that realistically stands in the way of Buechele succeeding professionally (you know, besides all of the other things that can get in the way for any player drafted) will be high strikeout totals. He’s not as talented as Zack Cox, so don’t take this as a direct comparison, but it seems that Buechele would be best served returning to school to work on honing his pitch recognition skills like the top player on this list managed to do in his sophomore season.”

I’d say most of that holds up today. His defense at third remains fine, but new questions about his power — was the emergence last year real or more of a juiced bat phenomenon? — keep his draft stock from being any higher. Others seem to like him a lot more than I do, for what it’s worth.

18. Texas-Pan American JR 3B Vincent Mejia

*** 2010: .385/.484/.582 – 41 BB/24 K – 208 AB
*** 2011: .337/.455/.479 – 38 BB/36 K – 190 AB

Mejia doesn’t get a lot of nationally recognized prospect love, but I think the guy can play at the next level. He doesn’t have a clear plus tool and may not have the range to play third base, but his approach is sound and his present power is intriguing. I’ve heard from one source that he is a sure fire senior sign candidate in 2012 (i.e. don’t hold your breath waiting for him to get drafted this year). I wonder if a pro team might look to him as a potential catcher, assuming they believe his arm will play behind the plate.

19. Oklahoma State JR 3B Mark Ginther

*** 2010: .311/.364/.547 – 18 BB/38 K – 225 AB
*** 2011: .306/.351/.541 – 16 BB/31 K – 229 AB

I came into the year thinking Ginther was a better player than he has shown, and I still feel that way after another good but not great college season. His athleticism is up there with any college third baseman in the class and his arm strength is an asset defensively, but his hit tool hasn’t shown much progress in his three years with the Cowboys. Ginther certainly looks the part of a potential big league third baseman with three well above-average tools (defense, arm, power) and special athleticism, but it’ll take much more contact and a less loopy swing if he wants to make it as a regular.

20. Tennessee SR 3B Matt Duffy

*** 2010: .304/.385/.444 – 20 BB/36 K – 207 AB
*** 2011: .302/.423/.481 – 29 BB/25 K – 189 AB

Duffy was a deep sleeper top five rounds candidate of mine heading into the 2010 season, so you know I’ve been irrationally high on his talent for a long time now. The Vermont transfer and current Tennesee standout has all of the defensive tools to play a decent shortstop professionally, but profiles better as a potential plus defender at the hot corner. For Duffy, a Jack Hannahan (with more raw power) or Andy LaRoche (with less raw power) type of career is possible.

21. UC Irvine SR 3B Brian Hernandez

*** 2010: .356/.421/.513 – 21 BB/26 K – 236 AB
*** 2011:  .358/.416/.419 – 19 BB/26 K – 229 AB

Last year I wrote: “he’s your typical ‘whole is greater than the sum of his parts’ kind of prospect, with the upside of a big league bench bat if everything breaks right.” I stand by that today (some pop, some speed, some plate discipline), with one additional comment I’ll present straight from my notes: “PLUS fielder.” All caps means you know I’m serious. Hernandez can really pick it at third.

22. Stetson JR 3B Ben Carhart

*** 2011: .349/.395/.500 – 17 BB/17 K – 232 AB

I liked Carhart more on the mound heading into the year, but now think his plus arm, gap power, and improved approach at the plate could play at third.

23. Penn State JR 3B Jordan Steranka

*** 2010: .309/.352/.483 – 10 BB/45 K – 236 AB
*** 2011: .327/.395/.548 – 25 BB/34 K – 217 AB

Steranka gives just about what you’d expect from a player this far down the ranking: a strong arm and some power upside. He also has the advantage of being a steady glove at third, though there are some rumblings that he could be tried behind the plate as a pro.

24. Louisiana Tech JR 3B Matt Threlkeld

*** 2010: .322/.382/.540 – 22 BB/44 K – 239 AB
*** 2011: .287/.383/.478 – 31 BB/46 K – 230 AB

Threlkeld gives just about what you’d expect from a player this far down the ranking: huge raw power and a strong arm. The reason Steranka gets the one spot edge over him is because of Threlkeld’s questionable defensive ability.

25. College of Charleston JR 3B Matt Leeds

*** 2010: .335/.442/.715 – 30 BB/46 K – 241 AB
*** 2011: .353/.454/.681 – 39 BB/60 K – 232 AB

Leeds has big power and a strong track record of showing it, but his average on his best day defense and just good enough arm temper some of the enthusiasm that he’ll play third base regularly as a pro. If his knees check out, he could have a future as a bat-first four corners backup.

26. Southern Mississippi JR 3B Ashley Graeter

*** 2011: .325/.393/.453 – 14 BB/22 K – 117 AB

27. Winthrop JR 3B Chas Crane

*** 2010: .356/.452/.673 – 39 BB/53 K – 208 AB
*** 2011: .280/.415/.338 – 45 BB/46 K – 207 AB

28. Texas A&M JR 3B Matt Juengel

*** 2010: .359/.424/.629 – 13 BB/30 K – 167 AB
*** 2011: .295/.376/.446 – 19 BB/34 K – 224 AB

29. Baylor SO 3B Cal Towey

*** 2010: .305/.434/.505 – 21 BB/31 K – 105 AB
*** 2011: .250/.424/.422 – 29 BB/43 K – 116 AB

30. Oklahoma City SR 3B Kirk Walker

1. Rice JR 3B Anthony Rendon
2. Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth
3. Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito
4. Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole
5. Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez
6. Arizona JR 3B Andy Burns
7. Arizona State JR 3B Riccio Torrez
8. Wichita State JR 3B Johnny Coy
9. Texas A&M JR 3B Adam Smith
10. Kent State JR 3B Travis Shaw
11. Clemson JR 3B John Hinson
12. Texas State JR 3B Kyle Kubitza
13. Winthrop JR 3B Chas Crane
14. Coastal Carolina SR 3B Scott Woodward
15. Oklahoma JR 3B Garrett Buechele
16. TCU SO 3B Jantzen Witte
17. Texas JR 3B Kevin Lusson
18. Texas-Pan American JR 3B Vincent Mejia
19. San Francisco SR 3B Steven Yarrow
20. Tarleton State SR 3B Chris Casazza
21. Oklahoma State JR 3B Mark Ginther
22. Nebraska JR 3B Cody Asche
23. Texas A&M JR 3B Matt Juengel
24. Virginia JR 3B Steven Proscia
25. Louisiana Tech JR 3B Matt Threlkeld
26. College of Charleston JR 3B Matt Leeds
27. Oklahoma City SR 3B Kirk Walker
28. Baylor SO 3B Cal Towey
29. Liberty JR 3B Tyler Bream
30. East Carolina JR 3B Corey Thompson