Category Archives: Minor Leagues

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/10

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs got the only run of the game in 4th to beat the PawSox 1-0.

PawSox Stumble Against the IronPigs [PawSox.com]

Pawtucket hopes restoring order will bolster bats [Providence Journal]

Andrew Miller poised to join PawSox after two successful rehab outings with Class A Greenville [Pawtucket Times]

Lehigh Valley IronPigs @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4.9.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs fell to 0-5 after falling to the Trenton Thunder 8-3.

Sea Dogs Can’t Match Trenton’s Thunder in 8-3 Loss [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Dogs’ misery continues with fifth straight defeat [Portland Press Herald]

Sea Dogs Opening Ceremonies to Feature Tribute to Dan Burke [OurSports Central]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Trenton Thunder 4.9.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem enjoyed a day off on Monday.

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Hickory Crawdads got three in the 8th to beat the Drive 4-3.

Drive Fall One Run Short to Crawdads, 4-3 [GreenvilleDrive.com]

Chris Grayson outshines big-name pitchers as Hickory Crawdads top Greenville Drive [GoUpstate.com]

Hickory Crawdads @ Greenville Drive 4.9.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/9

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Red Sox make final spring cuts, release eight minor leaguers [SoxProspects.com]

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox were off on Sunday.

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs were off on Sunday.

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem was the victim of a 5-0 shutout by the Frederick Keys.

Frederick pitchers silence Red Sox [Roanoke Times]

Keys Blank Sox 5-0 on Easter Sunday [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox @ Frederick Keys 4.8.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

Former UConn pitcher Matt Barnes struck out nine in his professional debut during the Drive’s 4-0 win over the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Barnes Baffles BlueClaws in Pro Debut [GreenvilleDrive.com]

Matt Barnes keeps strikeouts coming as Greenville Drive defeat Lakewood BlueClaws [GoUpstate.com]

Prospect righty Barnes fans 9 in Class A game [RedSox.com]

Hill impressive in Class A rehab appearance [RedSox.com]

Major League Hurlers Continue to Rehab with Drive [GreenvilleDrive.com]

Lakewood BlueClaws @ Greenville Drive 4.8.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/8

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Matt Barnes debuts Sunday [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox prospect Henry Owens strikes quickly [Full Count]

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox split a doubleheader with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. They won the first game 4-1 while losing the second one 3-2.

PawSox Split Doubleheader with IronPigs [PawSox.com]

Veteran Cook proves a cool customer as PawSox split [Providence Journal]

RIDOT Closing School Street Exit on Monday [PawSox.com]

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4.7.12 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4.7.12 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Reading Phillies completed the sweep of the Sea Dogs with a 4-1 win.

R-Phils Sweep Away Sea Dogs with 4-1 Win [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Sea Dogs’ start reaches 0-4 [Portland Press Herald]

Catch-up time for the Sea Dogs, past and future [Portland Press Herald]

Top moments and players in the decade of Red Sox affiliation [Portland Press Herald]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Reading Phillies 4.7.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

The Frederick Keys pounded out 13 hits in a 10-4 win over Salem.

Stevens, Keys belt Red Sox to even opening series [Roanoke Times]

Stevens’ Two HR Lead Frederick Past Salem 10-4 [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox @ Frederick Keys 4.7.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Drive had 15 hits on their way to an 11-6 win over the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Rich Hill, Andrew Miller set stage for Greenville Drive win over Lakewood BlueClaws [GoUpstate.com]

Lefties Lift Drive to 11-6 Win Over BlueClaws [OurSports Central]

Lakewood BlueClaws @ Greenville Drive 4.7.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/7

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The Buffalo Bisons got a run in the 9th and held on for a 2-1 win over the PawSox.

Bisons earn split with 2-1 win [PawSox.com]

PawSox’s Cook offers praise for ex-SRA star Iannetta [Pawtucket Times]

PawSox Journal: Middlebrooks off to hot start; Pawtucket falls to 1-1 [Providence Journal]

Buffalo Bisons @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4.6.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

Reading took advantage of four Sea Dogs errors in a 9-4 win.

Sea Dogs Strike First, Can’t Hold On [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Another loss for Sea Dogs [Portland Press Herald]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Reading Phillies 4.6.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem got five late runs to rally for a 9-7 opening day win over the Frederick Keys.

Salem Red Sox top Keys in Carolina League opener [Roanoke Times]

Salem Sox Celebrate 9-7 Opening Night Win Over Frederick [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox @ Frederick Keys 4.6.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Lakewood BlueClaws got two in the 9th to steal a 6-4 win from the Drive.

Drive Clipped by BlueClaws, 6-4 [GreenvilleDrive.com]

Missed opportunities haunt Greenville Drive in loss to Lakewood BlueClaws [GoUpstate.com]

Lakewood BlueClaws @ Greenville Drive 4.6.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/6

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

Pedro Ciriaco had four hits and 2 RBIs in the PawSox’s 4-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons.

PawSox take Bisons on Opening Night [PawSox.com]

PawSox deliver in season opener, down Buffalo, 4-2 [Pawtucket Times]

Middlebrooks, Iglesias spark left side of PawSox infield [Pawtucket Times]

Repko’s been down this road before; PawSox win opener [Providence Journal]

Middlebrooks’ “sense of urgency” pays off with big Opening Day [Projo Sox Blog]

Cook getting work in at Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]

Middlebrooks off to strong start [ESPN Boston]

Buffalo Bisons @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4.5.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs were swept by the Reading Phillies in an opening day doubleheader.

Sea Dogs Swept in Season Opener Twin Bill [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Dogs beaten twice [Portland Press Herald]

28 Former Sea Dogs Open the Season in the Majors [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Reading Phillies 4.5.12 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Reading Phillies 4.5.12 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem will open up the 2012 season on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road against the Frederick Keys.

Salem Red Sox season opens on road [Roanoke Times]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

Garin Cecchini knocked in two runs to help the Drive to a 4-2 rain shortened win over the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Drive Capture 4-2 Opening Day Win [GreenvilleDrive.com]

Greenville Drive beat rain, Lakewood BlueClaws for opening day win [GoUpstate.com]

Lakewood BlueClaws @ Greenville Drive 4.5.12 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/5

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox will open up their 2012 season tonight at 7:05 p.m. at home against the Buffalo Bisons.

Aaron Cook Continues to Work Down In Pawtucket, Feels Good About Shoulder, Opprotunity to Return to Big Leagues [NESN.com]

Lars Anderson Starts to Take Reps as Outfielder, Hopes to Use New Tools to Join Red Sox [NESN.com]

Ryan Lavarnway Anticipates Next Shot at the Majors, Reflects on His Time With Red Sox Last Season [NESN.com]

Jose Iglesias Excited to Return to Pawtucket, Gets Ready to Work to Make His Way to Red Sox [NESN.com]

Confident Jose Iglesias ready for season [Pawtucket Times]

PawSox kick off 2012 season tonight vs. Buffalo [Pawtucket Times]

System’s top prospects to take the field at McCoy [Providence Journal]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The SeaDogs will open up the 2012 season today at 4:05 p.m. on the road against the Reading Phillies with a doubleheader.

Sea Dogs looking ahead, not back [Portland Press Herald]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem will open up the 2012 season on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road against the Frederick Keys.

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Drive will open up the 2012 season tonight at 7:05 p.m. at home against the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Carlos Febles, Greenville Drive excited to start season Thursday [GoUpstate.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Baseball Beanpot Returns to LeLacheur Tuesday, April 10 [OurSports Central]

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/4

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

2012 Prospect Previews: Xander Bogaerts and Matt Barnes [SoxProspects.com]

2012 Prospect Previews: Anthony Ranaudo and Will Middlebrooks [SoxProspects.com]

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox will open up their 2012 season on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at home against the Buffalo Bisons.

American Idol’s Erika Van Pelt to perform Opening Night [PawSox.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The SeaDogs will open up the 2012 season on Thursday at 4:05 p.m. on the road against the Reading Phillies.

Sea Dogs Announce 2012 Roster [OurSports Central]

When Brentz swings, there’s no mistaking the sound [Portland Press Herald]

Sea Dogs: Look who’s back– most of the team [Portland Press Herald]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem will open up the 2012 season on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road against the Frederick Keys.

Salem Red Sox Announce 2012 Roster [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Drive will open up the 2012 season on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at home against the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Big draft picks, Madison Younginer highlight 2012 Greenville Drive roster [GoUpstate.com]

Red Sox Prospects Set to Begin 2012 with the Drive [OurSports Central]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats

NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2011 final stats

Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Keith Law’s 2012 Top 10 Red Sox Prospects

Earlier in the year, Baseball America released its 2012 Top 10 Boston Red Sox Prospects. Shortly thereafter, MLB.com released their 2012 Top 20 Red Sox Prospects.

Boston Red SoxNow it’s Keith Law of ESPN’s turn (ESPN Insider link):

  1. Xander Bogaerts, IF
  2. Blake Swihart, C
  3. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
  4. Ryan Lavarnway, C/DH
  5. Matt Barnes, RHP
  6. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP
  7. Brandon Jacobs, OF
  8. Bryce Brentz, OF
  9. Garin Cecchini, 3B
  10. Drake Britton, RHP

Bogaerts and Swihart were also included in Keith Law’s 2012 Top 100 MLB Prospects. Middlebrooks and Lavarnway just missed out on making the Law’s Top 100.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Two Red Sox Minor Leaguers Named To Keith Law’s 2012 Top 100 MLB Prospects

It’s that time of year where the various media entities who cover Major League Baseball and the minors leagues put out of their top prospects of each organization and also a list of the top prospects from all of the organizations.

Boston Red SoxEarlier this year, MLB.com released their top 100 MLB prospects and that list included four members of the Boston Red Sox organization. This time around, it’s Keith Law of ESPN’s (ESPN Insider link) turn.

Included in his list of 100 top prospects are two Red Sox farmhands. They are shortstop Xander Bogaerts who comes in at No. 62 and catcher Blake Swihart who comes in at No. 100.

Here’s what Law has to say about Bogaerts:

The Red Sox were aggressive with the Aruban-born Bogaerts, promoting him from the Dominican Summer League right to full-season ball, where only Jurickson Profar and Bryce Harper were younger among regular position players. But Bogaerts held his own due to excellent bat speed and enough pitch recognition to keep himself afloat. He starts out very wide at the plate and closes slightly when he gets his front foot down. The ball really comes off his bat well, thanks to strong wrists and forearms and a very rotational swing with great extension through contact.

He spent the year at shortstop, making an error every three games, but isn’t likely to stay there with third base the probable destination. He has the arm and feet for it, assuming he does indeed outgrow shortstop. Boston’s system is thin right now, with several prospects who project as solid regulars but nothing more. Bogaerts is the Red Sox’s best chance right now to produce an All-Star.

Here’s what Law has to say about Swihart:

Swihart is raw on both sides of the ball but extremely athletic with the bat speed and arm strength to profile as a potential All-Star at a number of skill positions. As a hitter, he can get out on his front foot early and doesn’t finish rotating his hips to produce the power his swing should allow, but the bat speed is there and he has a decent feel for the strike zone. As a catcher, he can throw and has already improved his release time since signing with Boston.

Having played a number of positions in high school, Swihart needs to work on receiving and game-calling. Given time and regular reps behind the plate, he could be similar to Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting catcher (perhaps with less power) who can add value through catching and throwing. If he has to move to another position, such as third base, he could still end up an above-average big leaguer but would obviously lose a good bit of his value.

Will Middlebrooks and Ryan Lavarnway were among Law’s top 10 prospects who just missed out making the top 100.

Keith Law – Top 100 Prospects Index1-2526-5051-7576-100Top 10 Prospects who just missed top 100 (these links are to PDF printout)

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

MLB.com’s 2012 Top 20 Red Sox Prospects

About two weeks ago, MLB.com revealed it’s 2012 Top 100 prospects for all of MLB. Included in that list were four members of the Boston Red Sox organization.

Boston Red SoxThey were third baseman Will Middlebrooks, outfielder Bryce Brentz (No. 64), shortstop Xander Bogaerts (No. 76) and catcher Ryan Lavarnway (No. 93).

Now MLB.com has released it’s 2012 Top 20 Prospects for the Red Sox. Included in the list below if when MLB.com thinks they will help impact the Red Sox.

  1. Will Middlebrooks, 3B – ETA: 2012
  2. Bryce Brentz, OF – ETA: 2013
  3. Xander Bogaerts, SS – ETA: 2014
  4. Ryan Lavarnway, C – ETA: 2012
  5. Anthony Ranaudo, P – ETA: 2013
  6. Felix Doubront, P – ETA: 2012
  7. Brandon Jacobs, OF – ETA: 2014
  8. Kolbrin Vitek, 3B – ETA: 2014
  9. Garin Cecchini, 3B – ETA: 2014
  10. Jose Iglesias, SS – ETA: 2012
  11. Blake Swihart, C – ETA: 2015
  12. Matt Barnes, P – ETA: 2014
  13. Drake Britton, P – ETA: 2014
  14. Oscar Tejeda, 2B – ETA: 2013
  15. Stolmy Pimentel, P – ETA: 2014
  16. Sean Coyle, 2B – ETA: 2014
  17. Jose Vinicio, SS – ETA: 2016
  18. Jackie Bradley, OF – ETA: 2013
  19. Juan Carlos Linares, OF – ETA: 2012
  20. Brandon Workman, P – ETA: 2014

You can read more about each player by heading over the 2012 Top 20 Prospects for the Red Sox on MLB.com.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.