9/4 MiLB Gameday: Semifinals, Game 2

Hee Sox Choi · Sep 4, 2014

Hey guys, I figured Cuzittt and MaBD would know better than anyone -- which Pawsox do you expect to be called up once the playoffs are over?

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Hee Sox Choi said:
Hey guys, I figured Cuzittt and MaBD would know better than anyone -- which Pawsox do you expect to be called up once the playoffs are over?

Neither of us know any better. Nobody does. All we can do is make educated guesses. So among those already on the 40-man in order of likelihood (highest to lowest):

* Castillo - Could arrive even before the AAA & AA playoffs end.

* Hembree - A solid bullpen candidate for 2015 who needs more work in the majors. Plus, shut Koji the f*ck down already.

* Cecchini - Nothing to lose by seeing if his hot end to the season (.382/.460/.592/1.052 in final 21 regular season games) can carry over vs MLB pitching. Plus, f*ck Middlebrooks.

* Escobar - With his last outing, he probably merits a spot start or two, especially if they're going to shut RLDR down anytime soon.

* Britton - He pitched better toward the end of the AAA season, so maybe a couple of showcase stints for a trade?

* Hassan - Might get some reps giving Papi & Napoli breathers, but I doubt he sees much OF time.

* Brentz - Stands to see even less time than Hassan since he hasn't yet played 1B. Tough situation for him.

It's possible the Sox could also add Barnes &/or Swihart to the 40-man and bring them up for a look, with Barnes being the more likely of the two IMO. Both will have to be put on the 40-man this fall anyway for Rule 5 Draft protection.

40-man players I'd be surprised to see called up:

* Lavarnway - He's going to be DFAd anyway, sooner if they need to create a 40-man spot for Barnes or Swihart for the rest of the season, and I suspect his time in the organization will come to an end soon unless he clears waivers and gets outrighted to the PawSox.

* Bradley - I think they might want him to play winter ball, and some time off before then would do his mind and body good. Plus the Sox need to give as many MLB PA as possible to Betts & Castillo right now. I'm just not sure what any further MLB appearances can do until he fixes his swing and plate approach.

FWIW, Herrera is still on the 40-man but he's done for the year after elbow surgery last month.

burstnbloom · Sep 4, 2014

Barnes dealing. Through 7ip 3H, 0 R 0 BB 6K

Cecchini also 3 for 3,

Pawsox up 6-0

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Haley also tossing a scoreless gem tonight. Let's just hope their mates can hold onto the leads this time.

Haley went 6 IP with 5 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K, and 61 of 94 pitches for strikes. Wilfredo Boscan has tossed 2 shutout innings in relief. Sea Dogs up 7-0.

Barnes is at 101 pitches (65 strikes) so he's likely done for the night. PawSox now leading 8-0 after tacking on a pair in the b-7th. Cecchni with his 4th hit (RBI triple), and he scores on a Ryan Roberts single.

Meanwhile Pat Light threw mainly FBs tonight early on, and it cost him in a 3-run third inning. He lasted just 4.1 IP with 4 R (3 ER) on 4 H, 2 BB & 2 K. Jonathan Aro has held Myrtle Beach at bay since then in hopes of a Salem comeback.

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

FWIW, on the same night Cecchini goes 4-for-4, his brother (Gavin) pinch-hit for Binghamton and singled in the b-8th, but was erased on a GIDP.

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Man, John Ely sucks. He just spoiled the PawSox shutout by walking in a run (3 BB in the frame), and leaves the bases juiced for Celestino to clean up with 2 outs in the t-8th.

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Boscan closes out the Sea Dogs shutout win with 3 scoreless frames. Back to Hadlock they go all even in the series.

Plympton91 · Sep 4, 2014

Starting pitchers likely to need to open next season at Pawtucket: Owens, Webster, Escobar, Renaudo, Barnes, Wright, Johnson, Haley, Rodriguez. (This assumes that Workman and De la Rosa have earned spots on the major league roster, and that they will do the obviously correct thing of signing or trading for 2 proven top of the rotation starters.)

That's 4 too many. I suppose you could leave Rodriguez and Haley in AA, though that's not really optimal especially for Rodriguez; you could keep Webster or Ranaudo in Boston as the 5th starter or a long-reliever or keep them both up one as a starter and one as a reliever; you could screw over Wright and make him pitch relief until injury or call-ups opened a spot or maybe he wins the Webster or Ranaudo spot. Keith Couch also deserves a promotion based on his work in AA, but he's not a serious prospect and so probably stays in AA due to the log jam.

Of course, I don't expect the log jam to survive the winter meetings. They've got to trade some of these guys. The only one I don't want to see go anywhere is Owens.

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Cuzittt said:
Heath Hembree, Edwin Escobar, and Steven Wright. All have been up with the team already...

Wright was already called up, so you win that one.

mabrowndog · Sep 4, 2014

Plympton91 said:
Starting pitchers likely to need to open next season at Pawtucket: Owens, Webster, Escobar, Renaudo, Barnes, Wright, Johnson, Haley, Rodriguez. (This assumes that Workman and De la Rosa have earned spots on the major league roster, and that they will do the obviously correct thing of signing or trading for 2 proven top of the rotation starters.)

That's 4 too many. I suppose you could leave Rodriguez and Haley in AA, though that's not really optimal especially for Rodriguez; you could keep Webster or Ranaudo in Boston as the 5th starter or a long-reliever or keep them both up one as a starter and one as a reliever; you could screw over Wright and make him pitch relief until injury or call-ups opened a spot or maybe he wins the Webster or Ranaudo spot. Keith Couch also deserves a promotion based on his work in AA, but he's not a serious prospect and so probably stays in AA due to the log jam.

Of course, I don't expect the log jam to survive the winter meetings. They've got to trade some of these guys. The only one I don't want to see go anywhere is Owens.

Wright & Couch may be destined for the long relief/spot starting roles for the PawSox, with Couch replacing Chris Hernandez. I doubt either will be a consideration for a rotation spot out of the gate. Wright, with options remaining, will be able to ride the shuttle when needed. Yes, it's probably unfair, but such is the plight of a knuckleball pitcher. If Tim Wakefield had come up through a minor league system this packed with high-ceiling SPs, the same thing would have happened to him.

Haley had just 6 starts for Portland this year after his promotion from Salem, so I doubt they'll rush him along. He should start the year at AA, and then see how he handles things after the league adjusts to him.

Rodriguez won't even be 22 until after Opening Day. Yes, he's been an unmitigated stud in his 6 outings for the Sox, and he's now spent the last season and a half at AA. However, when Boston acquired him he'd struggled in 9 of his 16 starts for Bowie. I have no doubt that he could handle AAA from a talent standpoint, but I believe the Sox will have him begin the year in Portland just to make sure he carries over the improved command he's shown, with plans for a post-draft promotion.

But you're right that trade(s) are likely coming. Selling high on Escobar would be a wise move.

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9/4 MiLB Gameday: Semifinals, Game 2

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