Soxprospects.com Podcast

As we reach the major league All-Star Break, Chris and Ian update us on changes in the site rankings, including the additions of the top international signee and final draft signings. Ian has seen Lowell and reports on a very interesting Spinners roster. Durbin Feltman is (was?) dealing. Jarren Duran is very fast. Meanwhile, Chris ventured to luxurious Woodbridge to see Salem. Bobby Dalbec is mashing. Bryan Mata is very young (and in the Futures Game, which Chris was also at). We also got to your emails. Ian weighs in on the challenges of scouting just the stat line. And leading off, Chris shared some good news: You should be getting podcast goodness more regularly now. You’re welcome. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus, it's the SoxProspects 2018 Donation Drive 03:30 - July 15th rankings update 26:30 - J2 signings 29:30 - Final draft signings update 35:00 - Scouting the system: Lowell 46:15 - Scouting the system: Salem 1:04:0

Surely, you can't be serious! It looks like Chris and Ian picked the right time to record a podcast. The new rankings have landed. The Red Sox have locked in their draft picks in the upright position. International signings are cleared for take-off. Join Chris and Ian as they taxi through the system. Their first stop is the Steve Pearce trade. They go over the likelihood of more trades to add to Boston's budget for the July 2 prospects. Chris highlights the big movers and all the debuts in the new rankings. Ian recaps who he's seen at Pawtucket and Lowell. Listen in and don't call us Shirley! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus, it's the SoxProspects 2018 Donation Drive 02:15 - Farewell Santiago Espinal 10:45 - More trades are coming 13:30 - International free agency preview 16:30 - New rankings for July 24:30 - Quick draft signings update 27:45 - More rankings talk 33:30 - Notables at AAA: Buttrey, Travis and Jerez 43:45 - Jarren Duran c

Remember that episode of Spring Training scouting reports we promised? Here it is. With the benefit of time (prepare to grimace when the guys excitedly talk about how great Jay Groome looked...), it looks like Chris and Ian saw some things coming and were way off on others. Listen in and find out! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus, it's the SoxProspects 2018 Donation Drive 03:25 - Jay Groome 12:20 - Tanner Houck 20:30 - Sam Travis 22:30 - Darwinzon Hernandez 25:45 - Alex Scherff 29:45 - Josh Ockimey 30:45 - Roniel Raudes 34:30 - Cole Brannen 40:30 - Danny Diaz/Antoni Flores 43:45 - Jake Thompson 46:15 - Pedro Castellanos 48:30 - CJ Chatham 52:00 - Joan Martinez 54:45 - Lightning Round: Brett Netzer, Kervin Suarez, Everlouis Lozada, Santiago Espinal, Jeremy Barfield 1:03:00 - Emails: Aaron Perry, selectively aggressive, drafting, bold predictions, Bobby Dalbec, sleepers (Jhonathan Diaz, Andre Colon, Tyler Dearden, Tyler Esplin) Got somethi

Well that was unexpected! On the first day of the 2018 Draft, the Red Sox selected 3B/1B Triston Casas and OF Nick Decker, high schoolers from Florida and New Jersey, respectively. Both boast raw power as their best tool and high upside. What did Chris and Ian think? If you've been listening, you probably already know, but download and find out on this special short episode!

That's Juan Carlos Linares who looks like one of the Beagle Brothers. And if we're referencing JC Linares, who ranked in the top twenty in 2011, then you know that, yeah, the system isn't looking good right now. But that system transformed in a minute during the 2011 draft, and guess what time it is? With the first and second rounds on Monday night, Ian highlighted his take on the Sox draft strategy for the 2018 draft. The guys shared the new rankings, discussing Jay Groome's status after Tommy John, the latest on Tanner Houck and Bryan Mata at Salem, Jalen Beeks and his cut fastball, and scouting reports on Travis Lakins, Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez. Plus much more. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes  0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects 2018 Donation Drive 5:00 - Jay Groome and the state of the farm system 11:00 - The 2011 Red Sox Draft in history 18:00 - 2018 Draft Preview 29:00 - Jay Groome tumbles in the new rankings 34:00 - Bryan Mata

Remember us? We've been busy. #BlameHatfield. After two-and-a-half soggy weeks of minor league games, we're back. Chris and Ian start with a rundown of the top talents in the system, who both happen to be sidelined, then broke down the wonderful success stories of Bobby Poyner and Marcus Walden, who both made the big club out of spring training. The guys renewed their objections to the handling of Blake Swihart. Finally, Chris and Ian noted the season-opening roster highlights and top early performers throughout the system, running the gamut from the loaded Salem rotation, young Greenville lineup, crowded PawSox pitching staff and Portland lineup that… really needed Josh Ockimey back. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 6:30 - Jay Groome and Michael Chavis updates 16:00 - Injury Updates from the system 22:00 - Poyner and Walden make the big club 36:15 - Finding Blake Swihart at-bats 47:00 - Pawtucket's bullpen depth 54:45 - Portland

The annual rite of spring approaches—the SoxProspects staff spring training trip is coming, and to set the table, Chris and Ian preview what they are looking forward to seeing when they get to the Fort. Ian notes the remaking of Tanner Houck. Chris lists out the questions that surround Cole Brannen. Ian wants to see Darwinzon Hernandez’ new slider. Chris seeks to understand what Alex Scherff is. The guys talk about the lack of power in the system, and the guys who might reverse that trend. Chris muses on the pop-up arm that will catch the guys by surprise. And finally, they go over the potential middle infielders to build out the system’s up-the-middle talent. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 7:00 - Previewing the SoxProspects spring training trip 12:00 - Top 20 Prospects Guys Who I Want to See SoxProspects Podcast 2018 Draft 24:00 - Email us, Tweet us, let us know who you want updated scouting reports on 26:00 - Three themes we wan

The quiet winter is over. Spring training kicked off and so did, at last, the hot stove. Chris and Ian broke it all down on a transaction-heavy edition of the Podcast. Mookie won. Eduardo Nunez signed. JD Martinez ... was signing. The guys bode farewell to Ben Taylor and Bryce Brentz. Ian deftly responded to our mailbag question. And Chris closed out the show with a brief chat with one of our Patreon contributors, Brian Morelli from SoxSignatures.com. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 10:00 - Mookie Betts prevailed in arbitration 18:30 - More transactions, Nunez Signs, Taylor DFA’d and Brentz traded 30:00 - JD Martinez has been signed 39:00 - Minors Transactions 45:45 - Michael Chavis is not healthy again 52:00 - Mailbag question: What is pitchability? 59:00 - Special Pateron Guest Sox Signatures’ Brian Morelli Players Discussed: Bryan Mata Xander Bogaerts Mookie Betts Marco Hernandez Ben Taylor Bryce Brentz JD Martinez Jeremy Bar

Chris and Ian return to talk about the glacial pace of the offseason. Henry Owens has left the system. JD Martinez still hasn’t signed with the Sox. And while the big headlines tarry, the club has signed some minor league free agents, including Ivan De Jesus Jr. who returns to the club for his third stint. The guys go over non-roster invitations, touching on Chad De La Guerra’s rise from 17th round pick to big league camp. They break down the club’s AAA rule 5 pickups. Finally, they cover both Baseball America’s and Baseball Prospectus’ rankings of the Red Sox system. Listen in! Podcast Show Notes    0:00 – Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 2:00 – The slowly developing off-season 20:00 – Farewell, Henry Owens and minor league signings 29:45 – Non-roster invitations 42:00 – Red Sox Rule 5 pickups 48:00 – Arbitration Showdown: Mookie Betts 53:00 – Outside Red Sox prospect rankings 1:14:00 – Minor league coaching staff changes Players Discussed: Henry OwensIvan De Jesus Jr.O

Throughout the year, we get questions about who the Red Sox will protect from the Rule 5 Draft in the coming offseason. This week, we learned who those players are, so what better time to discuss? Why did the Red Sox protect Jalen Beeks, Ty Buttrey, and Chandler Shepherd? Listen and find out! Plus, the Arizona Fall League is over, so we recapped the fall campaigns of Michael Chavis, Henry Owens, and their compatriots on the league champion Peoria Javelinas. Finally, we mused about how Blake Swihart and Marco Hernandez might fit on the 2018 Red Sox roster. Podcast Show Notes 0:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 4:30 - Scouting Reports on Jalen Beeks, Chandler Shepherd and Ty Buttrey 20:15 - Players not added to the roster ahead of the rule 5 draft 28:30 - Arizona Fall League Wrap 37:00 – Other Winter League notes Players Discussed: Jalen Beeks Chandler Shepherd Ty Buttrey  Michael Chavis Bobby Poyner Chad De La Guerra Josh Tobias Henry Owens Blake Swihart Marco He

We recorded a podcast. Then the Red Sox went and did things that made the podcast old news before we even released it. So here is an addendum to our last episode, talking about the additions of Bryce Brentz and Williams Jerez to the 40-man roster; why Rusney Castillo might never see the majors under his current contract; and the Red Sox making some MLB coaching hires, including a few with ties to the farm system. Chris also opened the show with a few words about the passing of 17-year-old Daniel Flores. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes  0:15 - Daniel Flores, In Memoriam 10:45 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 12:00 - Post-World Series transaction recap 13:30 - Bryce Brentz joins the 40-Man 21:30 - Rusney Castillo and the new CBA 28:00 - Williams Jerez quick scouting report 31:30 - Welcome aboard Tony LaRussa 34:00 - Coaching staff round up  Got something to say? We love talking about what you want to hear about. Make sure to email us.  Love the show? Want to help us out wh

Chris and Ian are back to wrap up the 2017 season and look ahead to 2018. In news, the club signed some minor league free agents and the major league club got a new manager. How might those events trickle down to other players and coaches in the system? Is Bryce Brentz coming back? Is Carlos Febles moving up to the majors? (As it turned out, the answer to both was "yes.") Plus, the fall and winter leagues are up and running, so we're due for an update. Wrapping up the 2017 season, the guys discussed some season-end awards and the site's official season-end rankings. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes   3:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 4:30 - Minor League Free Agent signings wrap up 9:15 - So Long John Farrell; Hello Alex Cora 17:30 - Fall and Winter Leagues 34:15 - Season End Rankings are up 40:00 - State of the System 58:30 - Awards and Final Thoughts on 2017 1:11:00 - System Highs and Lows 1:23:30 - Listener Mail Got something to say? We love talking about what you w

September brings us minor league playoffs, September call-ups in both the majors and minors, and of course, a new set of rankings. Who's fueling the Greenville Drive's playoff run? Why is Chris so fired up about Bryce Brentz? Who did Ian try to rank much higher than the other brass members? Listen and find out! Show notes 0:00 - Intro and housekeeping 4:55 - The DSL Sox made the playoffs? 6:20 - The Greenville Drive are still alive 24:19 - Lowell's September call-ups 29:25 - Boston's September call-ups... and Bryce Brentz staying home 47:10 - September rankings talk & the rankings process Players discussed: Brendan Nail Jagger Rusconi Pedro Castellanos Daniel Gonzalez Hildemaro Requena Everlouis Lozada Kervin Suarez Cole Brannen Bryce Brentz Sam Travis Bryan Mata Travis Houck Michael Chavis Nick Duron Justin Haley Got a question? Something to say? We love talking about what you want to hear about. Make sure to email us. Love the show? Want to help us out while also getting exclusive goodies? Support the

With the calendar turning to September and the minor league season about to wrap up, Chris and Ian discussed the news and took a bunch of your questions! The Arizona Fall League rosters have been released, and the Red Sox are sending an interesting crew into the desert in October. The news highlights included Jay Groome's season ending with an injury, the in-game debut of a 2017 draftee and the on-mound debut of another, and a few transactions of note. And finally, you came through with an 80-grade set of mailbag questions. Why doesn't raw power always actualize in games? Might Mookie Betts ever move back to second base? Where would Blake Swihart rank if he were still eligible for the site rankings? The answers to these and more await!     0:00 - Welcome, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects Annual Drive. 6:45 - Analyzing the Red Sox Arizona Fall League participants 25:30 - Other news 39:10 - Scouting reports from Portland and Lowell 46:20 - Mailbag!   Got

Promotions marked the start of August, and having seen Pawtucket, Portland, and Lowell recently between them, Chris and Ian had plenty to talk about. Included in the first-hand talk are the surging (and relevant again?) Bryce Brentz, the new-look Henry Owens, the red-hot Michael Chavis, and 2017 draftees Brett Netzer and Jake Thompson, among others. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes 2:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects Annual Drive. 9:30 - Josh Ockimey Promotion 14:30 - Early August Promotions Round-Up 21:30 - Blake Swihart is Playing Again 25:15 - Ian's Notes from Pawtucket 49:30 - Chris' Reflections on Portland 1:15:00 - Lowell Lightning Round 1:20:45 - Pawtucket relocation? Got something to say? We love talking about what you want to hear about. Make sure to email us. Players discussed: Rafael Devers Josh Ockimey Brett Netzer Joan Martinez Juan Florentino Matthew Gorst Blake Swihart Carson Smith Brandon Workman Sam Travis Bryce Brentz R

It's the trade deadline. Chris and Ian broke down the trades to acquire Addison Reed for Jamie Callahan, Stephen Nogosek and Gerson Bautista and Eduardo Nunez for Shaun Anderson and Gregory Santos. They bid farewell to Luis Ysla, who was dealt the Dodgers in a move to clear room for Nunez on the roster. They celebrated the promotion of wunderkind Rafael Devers, now hitting sixth in your Red Sox lineup. Devers wasn't the only promotion in the system and the guys tackled all the news and notes surrounding a very busy trade deadline. Plus, we opened the mailbag with your questions, comments and considerations. Listen In! Show Notes 2:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects Annual Drive. 9:00 - Red Sox acquire Addison Reed 29:45 - Rafael Devers can hit a little bit 32:45 - Red Sox land Eduardo Nunez 45:00 - Injury Update on David Price and Brian Johnson 51:00 - The return of Justin Haley 55:30 - Other promotion news 59:30 - Luis Ysla, See Ya 1:02:4

Chris and Ian battle technical difficulties on a big news weekend. Rafael Devers got upped. They say so long to Pablo Sandoval and Jhonny Peralta. They also discuss the recently shuffled rankings now that the draft and the J2 signing period are in the books. But, the trade deadline looms. Is Todd Frazier on the way? And if so, how much, how much is it going to cost the Red Sox? And will the players who will need to vie for a spot on the 40-man roster ahead of this winter's rule 5 draft be among the guys dealt? Ian spent some time watching Portland before Devers was promoted and drops some gems on the guys he saw. And we get to your emails. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes 2:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects Annual Drive. 7:15 - News - The Big Promotion 12:45 - Final Draft Signing Update 23:00 - Rankings Update 36:45 - Listener Email on injury updates 49:15 - Trade Deadline Talk 1:00:00 - Possibly Premature Rule 5 Talk 1:06:45 - Quick Hits

A very special Independence Day edition of the SoxProspects Podcast brings Ben Badler back to talk about the Red Sox's haul of international free agents. The guys talked with Ben about Venezuelan catcher Daniel Flores, the consensus second-ranked prospect in the 2017 class, and the rest of the players who've signed. Chris and Ian also talked about the players traded for international bonus pool money, the latest draft signings, and the latest rankings. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes 2:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. Plus it's the SoxProspects Annual Drive. 8:00 - Draft Signings Update 13:30 - Trades for international bonus pool space 27:30 - Rankings update 43:00 - Listener emails 50:45 - Baseball America's Ben Badler Got something to say? Make sure to email us. Prospects discussed: Nick Longhi Stanley Espinal Imeldo Diaz Michael Chavis Tanner Houck Bryan Mata Bobby Dalbec Cole Brannen Alex Scherff Tzu-Wei Lin Brett Netzer Zach Schellenger Jay Groome Rafael Dever

Ian and Chris hung out to discuss the latest news on the Red Sox system. The promotion of Michael Chavis and what that means for both Chavis and Rafael Devers headlines the discussion. Will Chavis even be in the Sox system after the trade deadline? The promotion of Tzu-Wei Lin to Boston prompted another discussion of the team's lack of infield depth. There were plenty of draft signings to cover, Ian provided a run down of what he's seen in Lowell so far, and the guys discussed the long road ahead for Jay Groome. Listen In! Podcast Show Notes 2:00 - Intros, housekeeping, email us and remember to check us out on Patreon. 4:30 - Breaking News - Everybody loves promotions 25:00 - Congrats Tzu-Wei Lin, Major Leaguer 33:00 - Draft Signings update 47:30 - Lowell, oh Lowell 53:00 - The Jay Groome Experience 63:00 - Pawtucket Pitchers 69:00 - Listener Mail Got something to say? Make sure to email us. Prospects discussed: Michael Chavis Rafael Devers Chad De La Guerra Stephen Nogosek Tzu-Wei Lin Tanner Houck Cole Bra

Jim Callis of MLB.com joined us for our annual draft review to talk about how the Red Sox 2017 draft class looks coming out of last week’s 40 rounds! Chris and Jim talked about the club’s picks from the first five rounds and some later round sleepers. Also on the agenda were some general draft questions from our listeners: What qualifies as a successful draft? Why did were more first basemen drafted in the first 50 picks this year? And finally, Jim chimed in on a topic that’s been hot on the SoxProspects Forums: Would an MLB team ever blow past the draft bonus cap, and why or why not? And how did that lead to Jim telling a great story on the Red Sox 2005 draft and how that affected the organization for years afterward? Don’t miss this episode!! Draftees discussed: - Tanner Houck - Jake Thompson - Alex Scherff - Cole Brannen - Brett Netzer - Garrett Benge - Aaron Perry - Donny Diaz - Charlie Madden