The next wave of Red Sox prospects at WEEI Blogs

The next wave of Red Sox prospects

Posted by Alex Speier

The Red Sox are preparing to conduct their annual Rookie Development Program in Boston. The program, which will run from Jan. 4-16, has been credited by several of the young players (Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, etc.) who have impacted the major-league club in recent years with helping to smooth their transition to the majors by familiarizing them with the big-league environment and expectations.

The team invites players who are viewed as being no more than 12 to 18 months from the majors, though in many instances, the timeframe has been much shorter. Last year, for instance, Masterson was in the program, opened the minor-league season in Double-A, and was promoted to the majors for his first start in April.

A couple of notable elements. Left-hander Dustin Richardson, after a successful winter contributing out of the bullpen in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League, is back for a second straight year in the Development Program given his likely conversion from the rotation to relief.

The group is also an extremely young crop. Lars Anderson and Josh Reddick, the top position-playing prospects in the Sox system, are 21, as are shortstop Argenis Diaz (who spent last spring training in big-league camp with the Sox) and pitcher Felix Doubront. Last year, the only player that young in the Rookie Development Program was pitcher Michael Bowden.

This year’s crop of prospects (with position and the highest level at which he performed in 2008):

Lars Anderson - 1B, Double-A
Daniel Bard - RHP, Double-A
Zach Daeges - OF, Double-A
Dewon Day - RHP, Triple-A (White Sox system)
Argenis Diaz - SS, Double-A
Felix Doubront - LHP, High-A
Kris Johnson - LHP, Double-A
Richie Lentz - RHP, Double-A
Wes Littleton - RHP, Majors (Rangers)
Adam Mills - RHP, Double-A
Josh Reddick - OF, Double-A
Dustin Richardson - LHP, Double-A
Mark Wagner - C, Double-A

5 Responses to 'The next wave of Red Sox prospects'

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So they money question is which one of these guys is most likely to make an impact on the big league club in 2009?

I would think Bard would be the most likely candidate, but remain convinced that if Lowell or Youkilis were to go down at any point in the season, that if having a good minor league season, Lars could get the Evan Longoria treatment and find his way on the ML roster.

Tim Daloisio

3 Jan 09 at 1:25 pm
If tradition holds, the Red Sox will schedule a signing with the Rookie Development Program participants at the Team Store. It raises money for the Red Sox Foundation, gives fans a chance to meet the young players before they reach the majors, and not incidentally gives the prospects a chance to see for themselves how devoted but also how relentless Red Sox Nation can be! (Not to mention teaching them how to sign autographs for more than an hour without hand cramps!)

Kelly O'Connor

3 Jan 09 at 1:48 pm
Is there an autograph session at Yawkey Way Team store this year?

Kris

4 Jan 09 at 3:36 pm
The Yawkey Way store does an autograph session?? I want to know too! Please find out and let us know. There is almost nothing more frustrating than finding out afterwards that you missed out on something like that. We need that kind of info. in advance. I am very interested in our future prospects, so keep the info.coming as you get it. I am putting this on http://www.sawxheads.com for the fans of red sox nation to view. Ciao.

fruitgirl

5 Jan 09 at 1:57 pm
autograph sessions? I heard about that last year, how many years have they been doing that at Fenway? did Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester or Papelbon sign at Yawkey Way before? and fruitgirl, a good website for info on autograph sessions in MA is: http://www.signingshotline.com/signings/results.asp?KW=Memorabilia

Mike

5 Jan 09 at 2:38 pm

The next wave of Red Sox prospects

5 Responses to 'The next wave of Red Sox prospects'

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