The Boston Red Sox opened up Spring Training 2020 with their yearly exhibition against the Northeastern Huskies.
Throughout the game, we got to take a look at a handful of minor leaguers, namely outfielder Jarren Duran and newly-acquired catching prospect Connor Wong. With no regulars playing in the game, it forces us to take a look at some guys who perhaps are on the bubble of making the 26-man Opening Day roster.
So for that, who are some players to watch for this spring?
Kyle Hart – LHP
On the broadcast, it was announced that the Red Sox are looking to stretch out five or six different arms this spring in hopes to have a clear-cut No. 5 starter. While it was Daniel McGrath who got the nod against the Huskies, Hart is the one to have your eyes on the most.
According to an MLB.com scouting report, Hart is known for identifying opposing hitters’ weaknesses and then exploiting them. Which is good news considering the southpaw doesn’t have an overpowering fastball (89-91 miles per hour).
Last season, the 27-year-old had a 3.52 ERA across 156 innings in between Double-A and Triple-A. He also posted a 22.1 percent strikeout rate and averaged 5.9 innings per start in 2019, which is big for a Red Sox team looking for an arm to eat up innings.
Jarren Duran – OF
Duran was the starting center fielder for Boston in their Spring opener against the Huskies, manning the two-spot in the lineup.
While Duran’s overall numbers in Double-A last year weren’t impressive, he turned it on late and finished the season with a wRC+ of 110 over the final 38 games.
The Red Sox’ seventh-round pick in 2018 has flown through the organization thus far and will likely replace Jackie Bradley, Jr. when he’s ready (ETA is 2022, according to FanGraphs). Thus, it might be best to start keeping your tabs on the young outfielder, who also ranks as the team’s No. 5 prospect.
Jeter Downs and Connor Wong – SS and C
Downs and Wong were the two prospects that came over to Boston by way of the Mookie Betts trade with the Dodgers. Naturally, these become two guys to take a serious look at.
Downs is known for what he can do with the bat in his hand, as he absolutely tore the cover off the ball last season. In 119 games, Downs slashed .276/.362/.526 with 24 home runs and a .390 wOBA.
Downs ranks as the organization’s No. 1 prospect and is 44th in MLB.com’s top 100 in all of baseball.
As for Wong, he is unranked but will likely be knocking down the door of the top 100 by the end of the season. He has shown versatility so far as a minor leaguer, but the Red Sox have every indication of him being a catcher for this team.
In the opener against the Huskies, Wong cut down a runner at third base with a throw that was on the money to end the inning.
But he’s no slouch with the bat in his hands, either, slashing .281/.336/.541 with 24 home runs and a .384 wOBA in 111 minor league games. He has a bright future and doesn’t have to worry about being rushed up to the majors due to the emergence of Christian Vazquez.
Jonathan Lucroy – C
Lucroy is the newest member of the Boston Red Sox organization, officially signing his minor league deal earlier this week.
Lucroy is a two-time All-Star who has struggled mightily over the past three seasons, slashing .248/.315/.350 with a .290 wOBA in 1,263 plate appearances. However, he had offseason neck surgery to replace a disc that had been nagging at him for a couple seasons.
Time will tell how much that will help, but even with Kevin Plawecki slated as the backup catcher, there’s no sure thing behind Christian Vazquez. A strong spring could easily propel the former All-Star onto the 26-man Opening Day roster.
Trevor Hildenberger – RHP
The area of emphasis this winter was adding to the bullpen, while also making sure these moves were cost-efficient.
As a result, guys like Trevor Hildenberger found themselves on the Red Sox.
The right-hander with a funky sidearm/submarine delivery was very good for the Minnesota Twins back in 2017, posting a 3.01 FIP and a strikeout rate of 25.9 percent. However, the past two seasons were not very kind to the 29-year-old, who posted an ERA of 6.35 in 89.1 innings.
However, the movement is there and he can make a lot of hitters look foolish if he can command his pitches better. But in a bullpen with a handful of open slots, it opens the door for a guy like Hildenberger.
Austin Brice – RHP
Brice’s peripherals weren’t great last season, but he fits the mold of what the Red Sox wanted this winter: guys who can spin it with the best of them.
Brice ranked in the 94th percentile for curve spin last season and posted a SIERA of 4.24 across 44.2 innings with the Marlins.
He looked impressive against the Huskies, albeit against a college lineup, striking out two and, much like Hildenberger, has a real shot to make the Opening Day roster as a dark horse bullpen candidate.
