Post by chavopepe2 on Jul 19, 2014 7:43:20 GMT -5
The Red Sox have some interesting players in the GCL and Lowell that would ideally be playing shortstop if not for the shortage of playing time. Below is a quick check on each of these guys and where they stand.
Michael Chavis - The first round pick is the class of this group and appears to be locked in as the 2015 shortstop in Greenville despite his struggles this year. Chavis is 2 for his first 27, but his plus hit tool gives him the clearest path to the bigs. He is probably the least likely of the group to stay at short in the long run, but his hit tool will give him every opportunity to prove he can't handle the position. 2015 Projection: Greenville SS.
Javier Guerra - The 5-11 165 pound Panamanian has been the GCL Red Sox primary shortstop and he hasn't disappointed. Guerra is hitting .325/.342/.494. He's flashed some power despite his slight frame while also maintaining a sub-20% K%. Guerra's approach at the plate is still in question as he has only drawn two walks in 79 plate appearances. Reports on Guerra's defense have also been strong. As his soxprospects scouting report says, he is an "Advanced defensive player. Quick release, plus arm, soft glove, fluid actions at short." The 19-year old Guerra signed for a modest $250,000 bonus in in 2012. He figures to have the upper hand for the starting shortstop position in Lowell in 2015.
Mauricio Dubon - Just a month ago, Dubon's name would not have been in this conversation but since then he has done enough in Lowell to create some intrigue. The Spinner's primary shortstop has taken a unique path to reach this point. Raised in Honduras, Dubon emigrated to California in 2009. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2013 draft and signed with little fanfare. Dubon has earned the starting shortstop gig in Lowell over 2011 bonus baby Raymel Flores. While his slash line (.248/.291/.321) doesn't jump off the page, there is some underlying intrigue to his performance. He has shown excellent bat control striking out in less than 9% of his at bats. Dubon is a skinny 6-feet now, but has the frame to fill out and add some power, as he is just celebrating his twentieth birthday today. He is reported to have plus speed, though that hasn't shown yet in his SB%. Dubon will likely move up to Greenville in 2015 and get time at second and back-up shortstop.
Raymel Flores - In 2011, the Red Sox signed Flores for $900,000 out of the Dominican Republic. This was the highest bonus to a Latin American player the team handed out that year. While Flores struggled in 2013, he has come alive this year as the Spinner's primary second baseman. The 19 year old has hit .278/.366/.392. The stat line shows he's willing to take pitches, though the strikeout rate (28%) is a concern. His speed is plus-plus and he's shown the ability to use it in game with 9 stolen bases in 10 attempts. Flores has a slight frame at only 5-9 155, but has shown respectable power for his age (.114 ISO). Ideally, Flores would be slated for Greenville in 2015, but he may be the odd man out and be forced to repeat Lowell.
What do you think of this group? These things tend to work themselves out, but how does the team find room for all of them in 2015?
Michael Chavis - The first round pick is the class of this group and appears to be locked in as the 2015 shortstop in Greenville despite his struggles this year. Chavis is 2 for his first 27, but his plus hit tool gives him the clearest path to the bigs. He is probably the least likely of the group to stay at short in the long run, but his hit tool will give him every opportunity to prove he can't handle the position. 2015 Projection: Greenville SS.
Javier Guerra - The 5-11 165 pound Panamanian has been the GCL Red Sox primary shortstop and he hasn't disappointed. Guerra is hitting .325/.342/.494. He's flashed some power despite his slight frame while also maintaining a sub-20% K%. Guerra's approach at the plate is still in question as he has only drawn two walks in 79 plate appearances. Reports on Guerra's defense have also been strong. As his soxprospects scouting report says, he is an "Advanced defensive player. Quick release, plus arm, soft glove, fluid actions at short." The 19-year old Guerra signed for a modest $250,000 bonus in in 2012. He figures to have the upper hand for the starting shortstop position in Lowell in 2015.
Mauricio Dubon - Just a month ago, Dubon's name would not have been in this conversation but since then he has done enough in Lowell to create some intrigue. The Spinner's primary shortstop has taken a unique path to reach this point. Raised in Honduras, Dubon emigrated to California in 2009. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2013 draft and signed with little fanfare. Dubon has earned the starting shortstop gig in Lowell over 2011 bonus baby Raymel Flores. While his slash line (.248/.291/.321) doesn't jump off the page, there is some underlying intrigue to his performance. He has shown excellent bat control striking out in less than 9% of his at bats. Dubon is a skinny 6-feet now, but has the frame to fill out and add some power, as he is just celebrating his twentieth birthday today. He is reported to have plus speed, though that hasn't shown yet in his SB%. Dubon will likely move up to Greenville in 2015 and get time at second and back-up shortstop.
Raymel Flores - In 2011, the Red Sox signed Flores for $900,000 out of the Dominican Republic. This was the highest bonus to a Latin American player the team handed out that year. While Flores struggled in 2013, he has come alive this year as the Spinner's primary second baseman. The 19 year old has hit .278/.366/.392. The stat line shows he's willing to take pitches, though the strikeout rate (28%) is a concern. His speed is plus-plus and he's shown the ability to use it in game with 9 stolen bases in 10 attempts. Flores has a slight frame at only 5-9 155, but has shown respectable power for his age (.114 ISO). Ideally, Flores would be slated for Greenville in 2015, but he may be the odd man out and be forced to repeat Lowell.
What do you think of this group? These things tend to work themselves out, but how does the team find room for all of them in 2015?
