Minor Notes: Mid-year promotions roll in; Arias and Valera dominate the FCL
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Measuring up the 2024 draft class
Chris and Ian got together to recap Boston's 2024 draft class in the most recent episode of the podcast. They discuss any different strategies with Craig Breslow now installed as the Chief Baseball Officer while going pick-by-pick through the whole draft. The Red Sox went very pitching and college-heavy, and they debated what that could mean for the system for the remainder of the year.
Mid-year promotions
A wave of mid-year promotions was reported on Monday, with David Sandlin and Connelly Early moving from Greenville to Portland, Elmer Rodriguez and Noah Dean getting promoted from Salem to Greenville, and Franklin Arias and Juan Valera (pictured, below) moving from the FCL to Salem.
Sandlin is a player whose underlying metrics are much stronger than his high-level stats. He is 0-2 with a 5.12 ERA over 10 starts but has an xFIP of 2.97 with 14.21 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.13 walks per nine. His fastball has hit the high 90s and his slider has shown it can miss bats at a solid rate. There is a strong argument to be made that Sandlin is the top healthy pitching prospect in the system.
Early, a fifth-round pick in 2023, has combined with Hayden Mullins to anchor the rotation for Greenville this year. The 22-year-old has a poor record of 1-6, but the numbers look great once you get past that. He has an ERA of 3.72 over 67 2/3 innings while striking out 11.97 batters per nine innings and walking 3.19.
The SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month in June, Rodriguez is moving from Salem after originally debuting there in September 2022. He missed about two months with right elbow inflammation in 2023 but has been healthy and pitching well in 2024. He did not allow an earned run over 20 innings in June and has a season ERA of 2.51 over 61 innings.
A fifth-round pick out of Old Dominion in 2022, Dean has bounced back after a tough 2023 season in Salem. The 23-year-old has lowered his ERA from 6.29 in 63 innings last season to 3.96 in 61 1/3 innings this season. He's struck out over 12 batters per nine innings in both seasons, but it's the improvement in the walk rate that stands out in 2024. It is still a bit high at 4.55 per nine innings this year, but it is a big drop from last year's rate of 10.29.
Grissom starts rehab assignment
Boston placed Vaughn Grissom in Worcester on a rehab assignment that started on July 20. Grissom has missed over a month with a right hamstring strain. It has been a lost season thus far for the 23-year-old who has battled multiple injuries while appearing in just 34 games.
More pitching injuries
Boston's pitching depth continued to get challenged with a few injuries last week. Isaiah Campbell was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Campbell has struggled in limited opportunities in the majors this year but does have a 2.20 ERA in 16 1/3 innings with the WooSox. Bryan Mata also has right elbow inflammation, and Boston returned him from his rehab assignment, retroactively to July 15, without activating him. Mata last appeared on July 14 and struck out one in a scoreless inning.
Two other pitchers to go down were Jojo Ingrassia and CJ Liu. Ingrassia, who has left elbow inflammation, has been one of the best pitchers in the system this season. He has an ERA of 2.03 and 86 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings with Salem. Liu had just returned from the injured list, as he missed a month from June 7 to July 5. He threw one inning on July 5 and is now back on the injured list.
Draft signings
Chris Cotillo from MassLive.com reported a slew of draft picks are expected to sign later this week. Keep an eye on our Draft History page, which will be continuously updated through the end of the signing period on July 30.
Olivarez released
Helcris Olivarez, who signed as a minor league free agent last November, has been released. The left-hander had allowed only 14 hits in 36 innings with the Sea Dogs but also walked 50 while striking out 47.
Key links
Kyle Teel's reputation as a gym rat with a high baseball IQ was further cemented by his approach during the All-Star break. In a conversation with Kayla Gregoire of NESN.com, Marcelo Mayer noted that Teel was asking teammates if the facility would be open so he could hit during his three days off.
In a separate conversation with Tim Crowley of NESN.com, Mayer noted his experience playing against first-round pick Braden Montgomery. Kristian Campbell also played against Montgomery growing up, and both players had great things to say about the power-hitting corner outfielder.
Christopher Smith of MassLive.com talked with WooSox players about how Chase Meidroth has earned the nickname 'Force Field'. Jamie Westbrook notes pitchers are allergic to throwing Meidroth strikes, as the infielder has 71 walks in 82 games for Worcester. That is three behind Jackson Holliday for the most in the International League, though Holliday has done that in only 67 games. Tuesday is also Meidroth's birthday as he just turned 23.
Players of the Week for July 15-21
Franklin Arias, 2B/SS, FCL Red Sox
7 G, 24 AB, 15 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 10 R, 8 SB, 6 BB, 2 K, .625/.700/1.000
It is not hyperbole to say that this week from Arias is one of the best we have seen in 15 years. Dating back to 2008, the 19.8 runs created that Arias posted is the highest of any week in our database. Second place (19.6) was Wilyer Abreu in the week of August 7 last season when he hit six home runs in six games for Worcester and posted a 2.125 OPS. Abreu did not steal a base that week, while Arias swiped eight. Arias's 30 steals now lead the system by one, and he has done it in 16 fewer games than Miguel Bleis in second place.
His season line of .355/.471/.584 is combined with reports of above-average defense at shortstop. The 18-year-old is ranked 14th in the system, though he has helium to keep rising higher. Baseball America updated their ranking two weeks ago, and they have Arias at nine. Since that day, Arias is 19 for 31 with 11 steals. He is one of the breakout stars in the system this season, and he will now see if Low-A is more of a challenge.
Juan Valera, RHP, FCL Red Sox
1 G, 1-0, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Valera went 15 up and 15 down in his win over the Braves on Thursday. Seven of the 15 outs came via strikeout, and six were from groundballs. He was perfect over four innings in his previous outing, so his last 27 batters faced have all been retired and he's struck out 13 with a 71 percent groundball rate. On the season, his ERA is a minuscule 1.79 and opponents have an OPS against him of just .401. The 18-year-old signed for $45,000 in 2023 and has risen to 42 in the most recent rankings update. Like Arias, he has plenty of helium to keep moving higher.
Photo Credit: Franklin Arias and Juan Valera by Kelly O'Connor