A Minor Review of 2008: The Red Sox
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/a-minor-review-of-2008-the-red-sox
The Graduate: Justin Masterson | Born: March 1985 | Right-Handed Pitcher
He’s not flashy - but Justin Masterson has the potential to be a beast coming
out of the bullpen. The right-hander’s fastball averages out at 89.5 mph but
it has incredible sink on it, which causes batters to consistently beat balls
into the dirt. In 2008, Masterson allowed just 68 hits in 88.1 innings, along
with rates of 4.08 BB/9 and 6.93 K/9. Although he started nine games, the
right-hander is better suited for bullpen work where he can focus on his
sinking fastball and slider. He used his change-up at the Major League level
just 3.1% of the time. Once he cleans up his control, Masterson should really
take off.
The Riser: Daniel Bard | Born: June 1985 | Right-Handed Pitcher
Daniel Bard had a horrible 2007 season, which included a 6.42 ERA in A-ball and
56 walks allowed in 61.2 innings. He completely turned things around, though,
in 2008 with a shift from starting to relieving. Bard began the year back in
A-ball and allowed just 12 hits and four walks in 28 innings. He then moved up
to Double-A where he allowed 30 hits in 49.2 innings with rates of 4.71 BB/9
and 11.60 K/9. The control was obviously a little shaky at Double-A, but the
potential is there to be a dominating eighth-inning reliever (and eventual
closer) with a high-90s fastball and a slider.
The Tumbler: Clay Buchholz | Born: August 1984 | Right-Handed Pitcher
Expectations were high at the beginning of 2008 for Clay Buchholz after he
threw the 17th no-hitter in Red Sox history on September 1, 2007 (in just his
second big league start). Buchholz, though, ended up back at Double-A in 2008
after posting a 6.75 ERA for the Major League club. He allowed 93 hits in 76
innings and posted rates of 4.86 BB/9 and 8.53 K/9. His fastball velocity was
the same as 2007 and he allowed more ground balls but his command suffered, his
pitches had less movement and batters made better contact against him (up five
percent over 2007). The potential is still there, but Buchholz is in danger of
being passed by other pitching prospect in a strong Red Sox system.
The ‘08 Draft Pick: Derrik Gibson | Born: December 1989 | Shortstop
A third-round selection out of high school in 2008, Derrik Gibson had an
impressive debut by hitting .309/.398/.394 with 14 stolen bases in 94 at-bats.
He also earned a 14-game promotion to A-ball where he struggled and hit .086
(His BABIP was .125). Gibson does not possess much power at this point but he
stole 16 bases in 2008 in as many attempts and also showed a good eye at the
plate with a walk rate of 14 percent. He has the potential to be a solid
top-of-the-order threat.
The ‘09 Sleeper: Nick Hagadone | Born: January 1986 | Left-Handed Pitcher
Nick Hagadone appeared in just three games in 2008 thanks to Tommy John
surgery. He showcased his immense talent in those three games by allowing just
five hits and striking out 12 in 10 innings. He also dominated in his pro debut
in 2007 with a low-to-mid-90s fastball and an excellent slider. Hagadone could
be another dominating late-game reliever or he could find success as a starter
if he can improve his change-up. He should be fully recovered from surgery by
spring and could begin the year in High-A ball.
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