In the beginning of the '07 season, the Sox had Ellsbury, Moss, and Murphy. Now, only Ellsbury remains, and he is no longer in the minors (at least for now). It had seemed to me at the beginning of '07 that the Sox had some pretty good depth in the minors with those three, and without them there I'm wondering what kind of depth remains (if any). I admit that I don't follow as closely as others, so I'm hoping that some of you could shed some light.

Ummm... let's see.

The Pawsox had 3 OFs elected to the IL All-Star Game: Van Every, Carter and Bailey
The SeaDogs had 3 OFs elected to the EL All-Star Game: Bell (DLed), Corsaletti (Promoted to Pawtucket) and Daeges
Josh Reddick started the year in Greenville and is now in Portland.
Che-Hsuan Lin was the MVP at the Futures Game and will be on the Taiwanese Olympic team.

The top tier depth is probably not as good as it was (if only because Moss and Murphy could play a passable CF), where Carter and Bailey can't (and they are older)... but there is lots of talent in the pipeline. Besides Reddick and Lin... check out Ryan Kalish in Greenville and Mitch Dening in Lowell.

Given Crisp, Drew, Ellsbury and Bay at the MLB level at least through next year I'm not sure MLB replacement depth in the minors is too much of an issue right now. I think Reddick, Kalish and Lin could certainly all be considered quality outfield depth though none of them are quite knocking on the door yet. I would also argue that Bell, Corsaletti, Carter and Daeges are all interesting very professional hitters who can play in the outfield to varying degrees. And, of course, there is always Jason Place who seems to be putting some things together but still needs to get his strikeouts in line. If he ever does, though, watch out.

I'm not so sure we can count on Crisp being here next yr.
He is going to want every opportunity to be a starter since he is going into a contract yr.
The original post does raise an interesting point in that the sox don't seem to have a reliable option in Pawtucket should an injury land Drew and Coco/Ellsbury on the DL.

Carter is a DH, Bailey is a 1B, Van Every makes WMP look like Dustin Pedroia and Daeges also falls into the weak fielder category.

Typically this team has had a Jacoby Ellsbury, David Murphy, Brandon Moss type available to plug into the 4th OF slot. Someone with options who could provide you better than replacement level hitting and D.

I don't see that with anyone currently at Pawtucket. Not only that but someone would have to make a dramatic leap to reach that level by June of next yr.

My guess is the FO signs a couple Bobby Kielty types in the off-season to hopefully get by most of next yr.
You then hope Reddick can dramatically improve his approach to the plate and become that 4th OF by this time next season.

Then again this is a team that has had Kevin Millar and Eric Hinske play RF in Fenway so maybe Carter could fill that 4th OF role.
His bat certainly appears ready...

OF Organizational Depth Chart (age as of 3/31/09)

Boston: Bay (30), Ellsbury (25), Drew (33) (Crisp (29), Bailey (30), Youkilis (29) (emergency))

AAA: Corsaletti (26), Van Every (29), Bell (26) (Carter (26), Danielson (26))

AA: Nava (26), Place (20), Reddick (21) (Daeges (25), Pritz (26))
*assumes Mickey Hall and Jay Johnson do not return

A+: Engel (21), Lin (20), Kalish (21) (Stanley (24), Marks (22))
* assumes Yahmed Yema and Matt Sheely do not return

A: Mailman (20), Dening (20), Sumoza (20) (Cabreja (21), Frezza (21))
* assumes Kade Koewen does not return

XST: Peterson (18), Yockey (18), Bermudez (20), Pichardo (18), Feliz (20)

Expected to be signed: Hissey (19), Westmoreland (18)

This is a very deep OF group.

Bell should fit into the 4th OF mode for 2009. With luck, Reddick and Place will be knocking on the door going into 2010 and there are waves of potential high-ceiling talent following them.

I believe Corsaletti and Bell are both legitimate defensive outfielders who, barring injuries, could fill in at the MLB level in a pinch.

I hope the team finds a spot for Daeges in AAA next year, as he's the only guy on this list who I think could be ready for The Show by Opening Day 2010.

Corsaletti will probably get snagged in the Rule 5 draft if we leave him unprotected.

I keep reading this as Minor League of Death, like The Running Man only with OBP.

Others have covered it, but I do think there is a concern here. The Pawtucket guys look like career minor leaguer/scrubs. I mean I like Van Avery fine but don't see a huge difference between him and say, Jon Nunnally. That said, I like him better than Murphy with his CF defense.

The mix of prospect and depth I think will have to wait a couple years.

If you're asking system depth for the 2008 stretch run, Jon Van Every would seem like the safe choice. He's put up good numbers at Pawtucket, and can play centerfield. Unfortunately, the common assessment - and I agree with this - is that he's a AAAA player who'll do little but K in the majors. Also, I'm not sold on his defense. I've seen him have trouble going back on balls.

The alternative would be to promote Chris Carter, play him in left, and make whatever other adjustments are necessary (e.g. in the event of a Drew injury, shift Bay to right). I like this option better than playing Ellsbury/Crisp together, as I think Carter will hit, but you'll lose defense.

Jeff Corsaletti may be the next guy in the Murphy/Moss mold, but he's a year away.