4/29 MiL Gameday Thread: Carson Smith to rehab for Portland

Keith Law will probably try to watch Espinosa on Saturday. From a chat:

"mike: keith – your thoughts on josh ockimey and kyri washington, two guys off to good starts with low a greenville?
Klaw: Hoping to see them this weekend. Saw Ockimey once in Ft. Myers, body looked a lot better. Washington is too old for the level but the bat probably wasn’t ready for high-A"

Mike Antonellis ‏@seadogsradio 16m16 minutes ago
Sea Dogs Roster Moves: RHP Carson Smith begins 2-game MLB Rehab tonight (1/2)

Mike Antonellis ‏@seadogsradio 15m15 minutes ago
More roster moves (2/2): RHP Aaron Wilkerson received yesterday from Pawtucket, starts tonight. RHP Heri Quevedo released by Boston

According to the box, Johnson not Elias is making his Buchholz replacement case today.
5IP 3H 2BB 5K 76/45
PawSox up 1-0 on a LaMarre HR

Portland scored a run
Wilkerson hammered
Mercedez strike zone issues
Carson Smith 2 batters 1K 12 pitches 8 strikes
Portland down 7-1

Salsox tied up with Myrtle
Moncada HBP, HBP
Kent 3IP 0ER (he's also picked off 2 runners)

Drive being 1 hit (Monge)
For some reason, Brakeman only pitched 1 inning, hope he's OK (35 pitches)
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Johnson done. Left with the bases loaded. I'd speculate that he's running out of gas since he's still being stretched out from the spring injury. 96 pitches so, he's getting close.

Sam Travis has cooled off considerably.
Varvaro on to hold a 2-1 lead.
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Dubon just scored from first base on a single to left by Benintendi. I'm watching Sox Yankees so I don't know how. Earlier he was running with a pitch that was fouled off, Benintendi took 2B on the throw. Salem up 4-3 7th.
Moncada 1/2, HBP,HBP,SB, E (throwing)
Dubon 1/3 BB
Benintendi 3/4 and all 4 RBI

Kinda just wasting his time at this point. Dude should be on an expedited path to Fenway.

Hate to get involved with this......but Bennitendi is wasting his time in Salem. What is the reason to wait any longer to promote him and challenge him in Portland? When Portland feels compelled to start Henry Ramos in center, it is not because someone is "blocking" Beni. I some what get keeping Moncada back for a few extra weeks, but what is Beni learning by continually showing in high A that he does NOT belong there? God knows Portland could use an influx of talent on that team. Release Beni!!! No....not that type of release.

Unleash would be more fitting

Jackie Bradley Jr in A+: K% 13.2% IsoP: .167
Andrew Benintendi in A+: K% 6.6% IsoP: .296
It's not even close.

Beni has proven in basically 4 months of professional baseball that he has some (very) above level skills. My biggest hope entering this season, minor league wise, was for Moncada and Bennitendi to move fast and swiftly through the system. Both should be in AA now. They need to find out what new adjustments have to be made to keep progressing. A+ is not where either should be at. I was fine with their initial placement at the end of Spring Training, because of the cooler weather in Portland and wanting them to start fast, but the front office, IMO, is dragging their feet now.

I do have some understanding with Moncada with respect to his defense. He is still making too many errors and probably mental errors for my appetite. But these things can be worked on just as easily in Maine as in Virginia. It looks like his base running (base stealing) is going to be a big plus for the Sox once he gets there. I would love for him to cut down on his K percentage too, but this kid has already improved his patience at the plate and his OBP is unworldly. He needs to see better pitching. Bennitendi needs to see better pitching. Portland needs a transfusion of talent (what a difficult team to watch currently).

Salem gets back home Monday for three games, goes on the road Wednesday night for four games, has an offday and then is home for seven games. My guess is that Benny is promoted as early as next Wednesday, May 4th (ie, he won't go on the roadtrip) and no later than May 16th.

The only question in my mind is whether they promote both Moncada and Benintendi at the same time. If so, then they may opt for the later date. My guess is that Benintendi is promoted next week and Moncada is promoted two weeks later.