Here are the Red Sox's 2019 Top 30 Prospects
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The Red Sox farm system may be as thin as it has been since the beginning of the millennium, but it has done its job.
A homegrown core led by Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rafael Devers has produced three straight American League East titles, including a franchise-record 108 victories and a World Series victory in 2018. The system also produced highly regarded prospects used to trade for cornerstones such as Craig Kimbrel and Chris Sale and the ammunition to make smaller deals for postseason heroes Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce.
:: Team Top 30 Prospects lists ::
Boston's system is deeper than it is top-heavy, featuring just one Top 100 prospect in third baseman/first baseman Michael Chavis. It's strongest at the hot corner, with Chavis, Bobby Dalbec, Danny Diaz, Brandon Howlett and Nick Northcut all having the potential to become at least big league regulars, though the 22-year-old Devers will have a lot to say about that.
Though the Red Sox have been in win-now mode at the big league level, they have begun to replenish their Minor League talent via the Draft and the international mark. Despite the loss of Venezuelan catcher Daniel Flores, who died of cancer four months after signing for $3.3 million, their 2017 international crop is one of their most promising in recent memory with shortstop Antoni Flores, Diaz, outfielder Gilberto Jimenez and right-hander Brayan Bello. Boston also has high hopes for a 2018 Draft class that started with corner infielder Triston Casas, outfielder Nick Decker and righty reliever Durbin Feltman.
Here's a look at the Red Sox's top prospects:
- Michael Chavis, 3B/1B
- Triston Casas, 1B/3B
- Bobby Dalbec, 3B
- Darwinzon Hernandez, LHP
- Jay Groome, LHP
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2018 preseason list to the 2019 preseason list:
Jump: Gilberto Jimenez, OF (2018: NR | 2019: 16) -- Organization's Latin Program Player of the Year impressed with hitting ability, speed, defense.
Fall: Cole Brannen, OF (2018: 6 | 2019: NR) -- 2017 second-rounder needs more strength to handle pro pitching after posting .466 OPS in first full season.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 -- C.J. Chatham (Pedro Castellanos, Antoni Flores, Gilberto Jimenez)
Power: 60 -- Bobby Dalbec (Triston Casas, Michael Chavis)
Run: 70 -- Jarren Duran (Gilberto Jimenez)
Arm: 65 -- Bobby Dalbec
Defense: 55 -- Bobby Dalbec (four others tied at 55)
Fastball: 70 -- Darwinzon Hernandez (Yoan Aybar, Durbin Feltman)
Curveball: 65 -- Jay Groome
Slider: 60 -- Durbin Feltman (Zach Schellenger, Mike Shawaryn)
Changeup: 60 -- Bobby Poyner
Control: 60 -- Denyi Reyes (Bobby Poyner)
How they were built
Draft: 18
International: 11
Trade: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2019: 7
2020: 8
2021: 7
2022: 8
Breakdown by position
C: 1
1B: 3
2B: 0
3B: 5
SS: 2
OF: 3
RHP: 11
LHP: 5