Jeter Downs among 10 added to player pool
BOSTON -- Though the Red Sox had a lack of top prospects at Fenway Park during these last couple of weeks at Summer Camp, that won’t be the case at the alternate training site at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., which will open this weekend.
Several of the teams most exciting Minor Leaguers were on the list of players added to the player pool on Friday.
The list headed to Pawtucket is highlighted by infielder Jeter Downs, the No. 1 ranked prospect in Boston’s system by MLB Pipeline.
Other Top 10 prospects joining Downs are center fielder Jarren Duran (No. 8), righty Bryan Mata (No. 4), lefty Jay Groome (No. 7) and righty Tanner Houck (No. 10).
The club also added right-hander Zack Godley, who will give the Red Sox some depth for their depleted starting rotation as well as add some competition for the final few bullpen spots. The 30-year-old split last season between the D-backs and Blue Jays, making 33 appearances (nine starts).
The other Minor Leaguers added to the pool and reporting to Pawtucket are first baseman Josh Ockimey, catcher Jhonny Pereda, righty R.J. Alvarez and lefty Bobby Poyner.
In addition, four players were re-assigned from Fenway Summer Camp to the Pawtucket site. They are right-handed pitchers Mike Shawaryn and Domingo Tapia, left-handed pitcher Mike Kickham, and catcher/infielder Connor Wong.
Boston now has 57 players in its pool, leaving it with three spots open. Only players in the pool will be eligible to play for the Red Sox this season.
“We felt like to it was important for us to have some of our top prospects there,” said Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke. “We think our coverage is good with the players that we think can be depth for us, both pitching and the position players. I talked about the catching, how much depth we have there. We feel like we have enough depth in different areas. Of course you always want better pitching. We’re constantly looking at that.”
One of the many reasons this season will be unique is that there will be no Minor League season. That made it important to the Red Sox to keep some of their prized prospects active so they can continue to get development opportunities.
“Obviously I told you guys we wanted to do everything we could to make sure we were helping our Major League club, and we also saw an opportunity here to get some valuable development for some guys, who in some cases are in striking distance of the Major Leagues,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. “We’re excited to have all these guys back with us, back with our instructors, getting some real productive reps over there.”
Could some of these top prospects get their first taste of the Majors this season?
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” said Bloom. “But we saw benefit even if they don’t help us in the big leagues of bringing them there.”
The Red Sox’ player pool is as follows:
PITCHERS (29): R.J. Alvarez, Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Colten Brewer, Austin Brice, Nathan Eovaldi, Zack Godley, Jay Groome, Matt Hall, Kyle Hart, Heath Hembree, Tanner Houck, Brian Johnson, Mike Kickham, Robinson Leyer, Bryan Mata, Chris Mazza, Collin McHugh, Josh Osich, Martín Pérez, Bobby Poyner, Mike Shawaryn, Caleb Simpson, Jeffrey Springs, Domingo Tapia, Phillips Valdez, Marcus Walden, Ryan Weber, Brandon Workman
CATCHERS (7): Jett Bandy, Juan Centeno, Jonathan Lucroy, Jhonny Pereda, Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong
INFIELDERS (13): Jonathan Araúz, Xander Bogaerts, C.J. Chatham, Michael Chavis, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Jeter Downs, Marco Hernández, Tzu-Wei Lin, Mitch Moreland, Yairo Muñoz, Josh Ockimey, José Peraza
OUTFIELDERS (8): John Andreoli, Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jarren Duran, J.D. Martinez, Kevin Pillar, César Puello, Alex Verdugo