Just like his adversary over at ESPN Insider, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has ranked his top 100 MLB Prospects for 2013. In there, he has included six members of the Boston Red Sox farm system in his top 100.
They are Xander Bogaerts (No. 20), Jackie Bradley, Jr (No. 32), Matt Barnes (No. 38), Allen Webster (No. 71), Henry Owens (No. 91) and Jose Iglesias (No. 96).
Here's what he says about Bogaerts:
Scouting Grades (present/future): Hit: 4/6 | Power: 4/5 | Run: 5/5 | Arm: 6/6 | Field: 4/6 | Overall: 5/6
The Aruba native and 2012 Futures Game participant has some serious tools and he's used them to rush up the Red Sox's organizational ladder, reaching Double-A in 2012 at age 19. He has the ability to make hard contact and can shoot the ball to all fields with excellent bat speed and a smooth swing. He has significant raw power he's still learning to tap into and he will be a better overall hitter as his plate discipline continues to improve, something that happened in the Carolina League in 2012, but not as much once he moved up a level. His plus arm works just fine from shortstop and while he's an average runner, he has better range than one would expect for a player his size. If he has to move over to third, his bat looks like it will play just fine there, though Will Middlebrooks is standing in the way there.
To continue reading if you're on the home page, please click on the continue reading button below.
Here's what he says about Bradley:
Scouting Grades (present/future): Hit: 5/6 | Power: 4/5 | Run: 5/5 | Arm: 5/5 | Field: 6/7 | Overall: 5/6
A subpar junior season at South Carolina, which ended in injury, may have been the biggest blessing for the Boston Red Sox. Otherwise, the talented outfielder would not have been around in the supplemental first round of the 2011 Draft. Bradley put that rough final college campaign in his rear view mirror quickly by reaching Double-A in his first full season and finishing second in the system in batting average while topping the organization in on-base percentage. He can really hit and can square up to the ball consistently to go along with his superb on-base skills. He's not a burner, but his plus instincts make him a threat on the bases as well as a plus defender in center field. He doesn't need that much more time before he'll be ready to contribute and most see Jacoby Ellsbury's impending free agency as the opening for Bradley to step through full-time.
Here's what he has to say about Barnes:
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Fastball: 6/7 | Curveball: 5/6 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 5/6 | Overall: 5/6
This University of Connecticut product had a solid first full season of pro ball in 2012, including a visit to the Futures Game, though he clearly ran out of gas and struggled a bit in the second half of the season. Barnes has everything a team is looking for in a future frontline starter: arm strength, good overall stuff and even a feel for pitching. He isn’t afraid to go right after hitters or go inside, especially with his plus fastball that touches 96 mph. His tight downer curve has the chance to be an out pitch as well and while his changeup is clearly his third pitch, it’s improving and should be an average offering in the future. With good overall command, it shouldn’t take him too long to be ready for Boston.
Here's what he has to say about Webster:
Scouting Grades* (present/future): FB: 6/7 | Curve: 4/5 | Slider: 4/5 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 4/6 | Overall: 4/5
Having to trade someone like Adrian Gonzalez is never a good thing, especially for an organization like the Red Sox, but one of the silver linings of that cloud was the acquisition of Webster from the Dodgers in the deal. A bit of a project as a later-round selection, he has really developed into a right-hander who will be ready to help a big league staff very soon. Webster's best pitch is his fastball, but it's not just because he throws it up into the mid-90s. His heater has plus life with a ton of sink, which has enabled him to get a ton of groundball outs along with swings and misses. His changeup also has sink to it and he has a pretty good feel for it. When he's in sync, his slider is sharp with late break and has glimpses of being an out pitch as well. While Webster rarely gives up the long ball, his command wasn't as sharp in 2012. If he can find better consistency with his outstanding stuff, he can start. If not, a bullpen role could ultimately be his future.
Here's what he has to say about Owens:
Scouting Grades (present/future): FB: 5/6 | Curve: 5/5 | Slider: 5/5 | Changeup: 5/6 | Control: 4/5 | Overall: 5/5
The Southern California high school standout had a very successful first full season, spending the year in the South Atlantic League and finishing fourth in strikeouts despite being on an innings count. Tall and lanky, the ball comes out of Owens’ hand free and easy, allowing his lively fastball to play up. Despite his walk rate, he actually can locate his fastball in and out of the strike zone fairly well. Owens has two breaking balls, with both the curve and the slider looking like average offerings at least. He has a very good changeup which he uses as an out pitch effectively. His ceiling might be that of a No. 3 starter, but that’s nothing to sneeze at, and the gloves could come off a bit in 2013.
And here's what he has to say about Iglesias:
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 3/4 | Power: 2/2 | Run: 5/5 | Arm: 6/6 | Field: 7/7 | Overall: 4/5
Since the Red Sox signed Iglesias back in 2009, everyone knew the glove would be ready and the bat would take time. The Cuban defector is a plus defensive shortstop, the kind worth the price of admission to watch play the position. His offensive game, however, still raises concerns over his ability to be an everyday big leaguer. Some of the problem has been injury-related. He’s missed a good amount of development time and repetitions to allow that part of his game to catch up. He still has some ability, with good bat speed and the ability to make consistent contact. He also has solid speed, but there’s not much power to speak of and while he doesn’t strike out, he doesn’t walk much, either. Iglesias will still be just 23 for all of the 2013 season, but he needs to stay healthy and get the chance to show if he can hit enough to be in a big league lineup as a regular at shortstop.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
