Should the Sox try to build a "superteam" in Salem next April?

Buzzkill Pauley

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Jun 30, 2006
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The Sox promoting first Benintendi, and then Espinoza, into the heat of Greenville's playoff run started me thinking about next season, and about the value of prospects playing to win for (and in) the minor league playoffs.

How valuable is it, for an organization to cultivate not only its prospects' individual abilities, but their ability to translate those abilities into winning ballgames?

I don't know, but this is beyond awful:

BOS: 63-72 (5th of 5)
PAW: 57-84 (6th of 6)
PRT: 51-88 (5th of 5)
SAL: 64-73 (4th of 4)
GRN: 70-67 (3rd of 7)

So my question is, should the Sox hold back Salem's most promising (but, as yet, unsuccessful) young pitchers and promote the Greenville Five, creating a bigger, faster, stronger "superteam" of prospects?

Held back: Ball, Stankiewicz, McGrath
Promoted: Benintendi, Moncada, Guerra, Kopech, Devers (and Longhi and Beeks)

This would hopefully make a pretty good team, and it's not like any of the four guys in Salem pitched their way off the island, so to speak. Middle-4's ERA doesn't strike me as demanding a promotion.

I think they should do it. It's depressing to think that Portland might be even worse than this year, of course, but it's not like anyone there would be blocking anyone who earns their way to AA by mid-season. And in the meanwhile, half the Sox top prospects would be on the same team.
 

Cuzittt

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They should (and will do) what is best for each prospect.

Salem is going to be a great team of prospects next year. Even without Moncada who will be in Portland.
 

Yaz4Ever

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Salem plays about two hours away from me.  I've yet to go to a game, but I'd like to try to hit some next year.  I was looking at doing the quarter-season ticket holder option but I'm not sure I'd do 17 games.  Looking at their roster potential, even without Moncada, I might force myself into making that extra effort :)
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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Cuzittt said:
They should (and will do) what is best for each prospect.

Salem is going to be a great team of prospects next year. Even without Moncada who will be in Portland.
I'm sure the Sox will do what they think's best, but my question is whether there's value in not only pushing each prospect to the next level of challenge, but also to get accustomed to winning alongside his teammates?

The former way of doing things was practiced almost exclusively for years under Hazen, but for those same years the Sox lagged other teams in how well and quickly their prospects made the transition from minors to majors.

I hope that Moncada doesn't start the season in Portland; that team looks like it'll be a trainwreck until at least mid-season. And then there's the snow.
 

Cuzittt

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There is a benefit to winning. Something the Red Sox have been very good about. I can mention the various championships they have won over the past 4 years if you would like.

But there is no point in holding back prospects just to make a super team. Which is why it is likely Moncada (and some others) are not going to be in Salem next year.
 

grimshaw

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It seems like contributing reason number 10 (fringe importance) to keep a guy who is ready for the next level down to be in a winning atmosphere.  You could argue Espinoza may have stayed a start or two longer in the GCL because of the playoff atmosphere as he seemingly had little else to gain by facing the same hitters repeatedly.
 
From my perspective, someone like Benitendi who already seems close to kissing the Sally league good-bye is more likely to advance quickly, than someone like Devers who still has a lot to learn in the field (as does Moncada).
 
Cuzitt, do you think Benitendi skips Salem?  He seems like the one guy in Low A who could on the fast track next year, like Travis.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if several of those guys are in Portland after the draft.
 

Cuzittt

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I also agree that getting to the playoffs is a reason that players may stay in a place longer. I just don't foresee them putting all the prospects on one team to start the season.
 

nighthob

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Cuzittt said:
There is a benefit to winning. Something the Red Sox have been very good about. I can mention the various championships they have won over the past 4 years if you would like.
But there is no point in holding back prospects just to make a super team. Which is why it is likely Moncada (and some others) are not going to be in Salem next year.
I agree, I'll be shocked if Moncada and Benintendi aren't opening the year in Portland and equally shocked if they aren't finishing it in Boston.
 

benhogan

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Cuzittt said:
I think Benintendi skipping Salem is possible. History tells us that if he doesn't, he won't be there for long.
 
just curious, how many times have the Sox taken a prospect and had them skip High A?
 

Bigpupp

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benhogan said:
just curious, how many times have the Sox taken a prospect and had them skip High A?
Was just wondering the same thing, but isn't when the last time Dombrowski has had a prospect skip Hig-A the real question?
 

Again2004

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Benintendi is way more advanced prospect than any one in the system. I am sure he is ready to play in AA.
 
But Moncada? I am not so sure. He may stay in Salem for a while or go to Portland directly. Probably he will finish next season in Portland.
 

AlNipper49

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I think Benintendi hitting the ground basically sprinting at Greenville portends well for him to be headed to Portland.

You could make a case for Benintendi, Moncada and Devers being in Portland to start next year off. The latter two do need some defensive seasoning, but it's not like that is really league-adjusted. You may actually get better defensive coaching in the upper leagues.

Moncada will be fine defensively.
 

nighthob

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Again2004 said:
 
But Moncada? I am not so sure. He may stay in Salem for a while or go to Portland directly. Probably he will finish next season in Portland.[/size]
By next spring? I don't think the high A pitchers will present enough of a challenge for him. It's not like his defensive issues need to be addressed at the A level.