257 replies to this topic

[SoxScout]

Scouting Report: Local product was one of the top New England high school players in 2008. Slim, athletic build with the ability to add strength. Strong arm with nice outfield range. At the plate, "Westy" has above average power potential with outstanding plate discipline. Elite speed on the basepaths. Very intelligent, has a full ride to Vanderbilt. Also a great pitcher, he pitched a perfect game in April 2008, striking out 19 of 21 batters.

SoxProspects.com

MiLB Statistics

[SoxScout]

“It’s starting to set in,” he said. “This is the beginning of my career and I’m starting to get really focused on the task at hand, which is to work my way up and hopefully to play at Fenway one day.

“This is my job right now,” he added. “I have to play baseball for a living. I want to focus, do the best I can and hopefully move up the ranks as fast as I can. It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it some times, but it’s a dream come true.”

He’ll report to Fort Myers as an outfielder and play 10 games for the GCL Red Sox before reporting to Lowell where he’ll finish out the season with the Spinners.

“It’s awesome,” he said of playing close to home. “A bunch of my friends already said they’re going to come up. It’s going to be amazing, not only playing for the Red Sox organization, but to be playing so close to home is just a bonus.”

http://www.projo.com...11.3a3c150.html

[soxfan121]

No game appearances means no roster time means no "clock starting", right?

[SaveBooFerriss]

No game appearances means no roster time means no "clock starting", right?

Based on what I read in a Callis chat, I don't think that is true. Callis indicated that teams use to be able to sign late signing guys to a 2009 contract instead of a 2008 contract to prevent the clock from starting to tick. He indicated teams can't do that anymore.

[Bowlerman9]

Based on what I read in a Callis chat, I don't think that is true. Callis indicated that teams use to be able to sign late signing guys to a 2009 contract instead of a 2008 contract to prevent the clock from starting to tick. He indicated teams can't do that anymore.

MLB changed it so players are Rule V eligible 5 years after high school or 4 after college.

It used to be 4 "seasons" after high school or 3 "seasons" after college, which is why teams would sign, say, a 2004 draft pick to a 2005 contract.

Now, it doesnt matter. Drafted in 2008, rule 5 eligible in 2012 or 2013.

[OttoC]

MLB changed it so players are Rule V eligible 5 years after high school or 4 after college.

It used to be 4 "seasons" after high school or 3 "seasons" after college, which is why teams would sign, say, a 2004 draft pick to a 2005 contract

I think it is still age-based--18 or 19.

[SouthPaw21]

Jim Callis talked about WML in a recent ESPN.com chat...

J.P. (Springfield, IL): I know your Red Sox Top 10 Prospects list doesn't go live on BA's site for a couple of days now, but can you tell me if Ryan Westmoreland made it and if so, where? Gracias.

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:04 PM ET ) Sure, we can do another sneak preview. Ryan Westmoreland was No. 7 on the Red Sox Top 10. Tremendous athlete, can't wait to see what he does in his debut next year.

[Rough Carrigan]

Can we call him either "The General" or "body count"?

[SoxScout]

I sure hope you "have identified the problem" in his shoulder, Jason.

So this makes five big time prospects that had major surgery or illness in 2008, unbelievable.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

So this makes five big time prospects that had major surgery or illness in 2008, unbelievable.

Ryan should be swinging a bat pain-free in April, plus the surgery should help his arm strength as well as a more preferred arm slot for an outfielder. He'll still get in roughly 100 games when you include the inevitable stop in Hawaii in the winter. Not nearly the blow as Hagadone, Rizzo, Bailey, or Britton...

Edited by TheGoldenGreek33, 28 November 2008 - 04:10 AM.

[NYbornBostonfan]

More on Westmoreland from Olney's latest Insider blog (1/10/09) -

Heard this: Boston's Ryan Westmoreland, an outfielder who emerged as one of the top young players in the 2008 draft after the draft, required shoulder surgery for a SLAP (superior labrum from anterior to posterior) tear. The Red Sox sent him to play in the Dominican instructional league, partly to find out if he could play through his shoulder discomfort, but the problem persisted, necessitating surgery. It figures that Westmoreland will be a couple of months behind this season, but the Red Sox continue to be very excited about his potential. "Uncanny hitting ability with power and athleticism," said one talent evaluator.

[doc]

More on Westmoreland from Olney's latest Insider blog (1/10/09) -

Expect a drop in power for 6 months to a year or so, Wiki

[RobertTillman]

Any information on how his rehab is going, or approximately when he will be able to play? I know the original projection was June...wondering if he is still on schedule?

[amarshal2]

Any information on how his rehab is going, or approximately when he will be able to play? I know the original projection was June...wondering if he is still on schedule?

Westmoreland is progressing well from shoulder surgery last November. The team expects Westmoreland to begin swinging a bat in March, and may return to game action in April or May. It is likely he will play for Lowell when the team starts up this summer.

SoxProspects injury report

[phrenile]

Full 3/13/09 Projo article on Rhode Island's own Ryan Westmoreland:

FORT MYERS, Fla. –– Ryan Westmoreland’s first spring training has been a labor of love.

As he continues to rehab a surgically repaired right shoulder, the former three-sport Portsmouth High athlete is going through the daily workout routine and experiencing life around big league ballplayers for the first time.

...

Epstein is impressed with Westmoreland’s knowledge of the strike zone, and he doesn’t swing and miss a lot as a hitter. He can also hit for power and the Red Sox development staff believes that will increase, too.

“We project him to get better as he goes through the minor leagues and grows into his frame a little bit more,” Epstein said. “There’s no day dreaming with him, he can play.”

So far, Westmoreland’s first spring training has worked out well. While he continues to rehab his surgically repaired right shoulder, he’s learning how everything works and he’s been participating in all the outfield and base-running drills. He’s been working on his strength and conditioning to prepare for when he’s finally able to play.

...

He’s been told it’s likely he’ll be able to start throwing and hitting in a week, or soon after.

“Right now, he’s just working on his range of motion,” said Epstein. “We’ll start a throwing progression in a few weeks. Once he comes back, we expect him to have a good year. He’s really a talented kid. He can hit. He can run. He can play defense and we think his arm will bounce back, too. He’s a well-rounded player and a really good kid. He’s a hard worker. He obviously has a long way to go, but there’s a lot to like.”

...

When Baldelli arrive in camp the two spoke in person for the first time in four years, and the Cumberland native told the Portsmouth native it’s great to see another Rhode Island guy up here.

“He’ always been that guy I looked up to, being an outfielder from Rhode Island who made it,” said Westmoreland. “He’s been my idol as a professional baseball player. He’s a great guy.”

Epstein and his baseball operations staff have done a tremendous job over the last few years drafting top-notch players, developing them and then giving them the opportunity to help the Red Sox win. The Red Sox are loaded with homegrown talent and Westmoreland believes he’s on the right path, too.

“Seeing those guys go up the ladder in the organization, I’m pretty confident that I’m going to be able to stick with the Red Sox and climb up that ladder just like all those other guys did.”

[RobertTillman]

Ryan should be swinging a bat pain-free in April, plus the surgery should help his arm strength as well as a more preferred arm slot for an outfielder. He'll still get in roughly 100 games when you include the inevitable stop in Hawaii in the winter. Not nearly the blow as Hagadone, Rizzo, Bailey, or Britton...

Here we are at the end of May and I have heard nothing lately. According to previous reports, he should be playing or at least close to playing now. Anybody?

[SoxScout]

He has been DH'ing in extended spring training. In the next week he should get into the outfield in preparation for an assignment to Lowell, who open June 19.

[cpharding618]

I just wanna get a general feel for this one but, how many other people here are OBSESSED or maybe just have taken a serious in this kid? I sure have...

[RobertTillman]

He has been DH'ing in extended spring training. In the next week he should get into the outfield in preparation for an assignment to Lowell, who open June 19.

Good news, thanks for the info.

[BigSoxFan]

I just wanna get a general feel for this one but, how many other people here are OBSESSED or maybe just have taken a serious in this kid? I sure have...

So, you're "OBSESSED" about a kid who's like 19 years-old and is light years away from making an impact in MLB (if he ever does)? Sounds a little creepy to me.

[cpharding618]

So, you're "OBSESSED" about a kid who's like 19 years-old and is light years away from making an impact in MLB (if he ever does)? Sounds a little creepy to me.

Well maybe not obsessed but you gotta admire him (that is, of course, is if he's as good as SP makes him sound).

[tmorgan]

Westmoreland was interviewed by David Laurila for BP Radio

He has played 3 of the 4 Spinners games so far, all at DH, going 2-11 with 3 SO, 2 BB and 1 3b. Any word on when he's going back to the OF?

[RobertTillman]

Westmoreland was interviewed by David Laurila for BP Radio

He has played 3 of the 4 Spinners games so far, all at DH, going 2-11 with 3 SO, 2 BB and 1 3b. Any word on when he's going back to the OF?

Since he is only DH'ing, does this mean he is still having problems with his shoulder?

[Quintanariffic]

Since he is only DH'ing, does this mean he is still having problems with his shoulder?

they had planned to DH him all along for about the first two weeks of the season. Thereafter, they will clear him to play in the OF if all is still well. This isn't new news.

[pokey_reese]

From BP, Ryan's second appearance in the minor league update recently:

Monster alert!

Ryan Westmoreland, OF, Red Sox (Short-season Lowell)
Monday's stats: 3-for-3, 3B, HR (3) 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SB
Westmoreland's .293/.412/.489 line is impressive enough for a pro debut, as in 25 games, he's hit for power, drawn 19 walks and stolen eight bases without getting caught, but it's the scouting reports that are really moving him up prospect lists, as while he's yet to take the field because of his surgically repaired shoulder, every other tool is grading at least plus, and his $2 million bonus is looking like a bargain already.

[SouthPaw21]

Ryan is really putting up some impressive numbers so far.

RWML

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS	K%	BB/K	ISO	BABIP	RC
2009	LOW	NYP	0.293	25	92	13	27	5	2	3	17	45	19	21	8	0	0.412	0.489	0.901	0.23	0.90	0.196	0.353	18.6

[cpharding618]

Creepy? I think not...

[SouthPaw21]

RWML continues the power surge with 3 home runs and a double in the last 7 games.

RWML

Year	Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS	K%	BB/K	ISO	BABIP	RC
2009	LOW	NYP	0.279	32	122	20	34	6	2	6	21	62	21	31	11	0	0.384	0.508	0.892	0.25	0.68	0.229	0.329	23.8

[Cornboy14]

Gammons on ESPN tonight claimed that a trade of Westmoreland was "impossible" because Westmoreland that that stipulated in his contract. It was the only way he would sign instead of going to college.

[SoxScout]

Gammons on ESPN tonight claimed that a trade of Westmoreland was "impossible" because Westmoreland that that stipulated in his contract. It was the only way he would sign instead of going to college.

I heard it like this: 1. He signed late and can't be traded yet (he can as a PTBNL) 2. He was only staying out of Vandy for the Sox.

I don't think he has a no-trade, just that he is not going to be traded.

[templeUsox]

Yea, it might not be a straight up no-trade. But it could be an express condition allowing RWML to leave professional baseball and keep the entirety of his bonus + whatever scholarship package he negotiated for. Generally, prospects must pay back a pro-rated portion of their bonus if they quit. This gives RWML leverage against any team trying to trade for him from the Sox.

[PrimusSucks626]

Are draft picks able to receive no-trade clauses? I figured they wouldn't be able to unless they were signed to a major league deal.

[alskor]

The "no trade clause" "keep your bonus" questions aside, its impossible to imagine the Sox trading this kid in the near future. He looks fantastic.

He's given himself a de facto no trade clause with his play so far.

Edited by alskor, 02 August 2009 - 03:07 AM.

[FanSinceBoggs]

Adam Kilgore wrote an article on Westmoreland:

http://www.boston.co...ng_up_to_speed/

Highlights:

There are moments when Ryan Westmoreland reveals his full athleticism, but because he cannot yet play center field, you have to pay close attention. Before Lowell games, Westmoreland tracks down fly balls from gap to gap. On the base paths, he has swiped 13 bags without being caught.

His movements, his manager thinks, just seem different.

“You can tell by his actions,’’ said Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina. “There’s no missing him. If any scout came to our game, they’d pencil down, ‘He’s a can’t-miss.’ ’’

In his first professional season, Westmoreland, 19, has justified such reviews even while he serves as designated hitter, his shoulder not fully healed from surgery last November. The Red Sox drafted Westmoreland out of Portsmouth (R.I.) High School in the fifth round in 2008, and they got a player who can run, defend, throw, hit, and hit for power, a total-package prospect.

He could develop into the best prospect in the Red Sox system in another year or two.

[underhandtofirst]

Saw Ryan Westmoreland live, here's my observations from the gameday thread

Swung and missed quite a few times (more than 6). Takes a very big stride at the plate. He did hit two balls about to the warning track including one about 375 ft to LCF for a SF.

[Rough Carrigan]

At what kind of pitches did he swing and miss? Was there any influence of pattern to it (e.g. smoked a first pitch fastball but got beat on one after a change and two curves or something like that)?

[SoxScout]

I'll believe the video on him, he taps his toe and the plants his foot while taking just about no stride at all.

[underhandtofirst]

At what kind of pitches did he swing and miss? Was there any influence of pattern to it (e.g. smoked a first pitch fastball but got beat on one after a change and two curves or something like that)?

I dont recall a pattern. He doesnt get cheated on his swings, that's for sure.

I'll believe the video on him, he taps his toe and the plants his foot while taking just about no stride at all.

He does tap his toe, but he takes a long stride.

Link to youtube video templeusox posted

temple has a couple more videos of him hitting on youtube. He taps his toe then strides slightly toward the pitcher and slightly closer to the plate.

edit: I see there's video of him from 2007 and his stride from '07 looks smaller than what I saw yesterday.

Edited by underhandtofirst, 10 August 2009 - 11:37 AM.

[SoxScout]

I think the video you posted looks different from just about everything else posted, I think it's the angle. When I think of "very big stride" I think Almanzar, WML's appraoch in the box is very quiet and very good overall. His K rate might be a bit high, but he's facing the Alex Wilsons of the world who were dominating college hitters a month ago and Yeiper Castillos who have been pitching professionally for years.

[underhandtofirst]

I think the video you posted looks different from just about everything else posted, I think it's the angle. When I think of "very big stride" I think Almanzar, WML's appraoch in the box is very quiet and very good overall. His K rate might be a bit high, but he's facing the Alex Wilsons of the world who were dominating college hitters a month ago and Yeiper Castillos who have been pitching professionally for years.

You may be correct. I was down the RF line a bit, but it did seem like a longer stride than just about everyone else in the game. Now that I see the behind the plate view in the video I can see how he steps in toward the plate a little which would make it seem like a longer stride from my vantage point. His swing does look good and the ball did jump off his bat both times he put the ball in play. I wish I could have seen what types of pitches he was missing.

Thanks for helping my clarify my point about the stride and his performance yesterday.

[FelixMantilla]

Road to the Show: Ryan Westmoreland

[Steve Dillard]

Ryan Westmoreland left the game after crashing into an outfield wall, purportedly having suffered a broken collar bone.
He finishes the year as the Soxprospects.com number 4 prospect and a .296 BA, .401 OBP, .484 Slugging and .885 OPS.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Ryan Westmoreland left the game after crashing into an outfield wall, purportedly having suffered a broken collar bone.
He finishes the year as the Soxprospects.com number 4 prospect and a .296 BA, .401 OBP, .484 Slugging and .885 OPS.

He's achieved everything you could ask in his first season. Hopefully this is just a minor blip in his path up the ladder and he's ready this spring to play full time in the outfield.

[OCD SS]

What if you were hoping for a completely healthy season with him getting a few more ABs and reps in the field in the AZ fall league?

Was this the collarbone associated with his previous shoulder surgery?

[chester]

I dont recall a pattern. He doesnt get cheated on his swings, that's for sure.



He does tap his toe, but he takes a long stride.

Link to youtube video templeusox posted

temple has a couple more videos of him hitting on youtube. He taps his toe then strides slightly toward the pitcher and slightly closer to the plate.

edit: I see there's video of him from 2007 and his stride from '07 looks smaller than what I saw yesterday.

In that video he was on all of the strikes and had a good eye for the pitches out of the zone. This video is the definition of SSS but I liked his plate presence, worked the count and got his pitch to drive and he nailed it with a very fluid swing.

As for his stride, from what I saw (not the best angle) he picked his foot up and moved it in first but didn't take that long of a stride on all of the foul balls but when it came to his HR he didn't pick his foot up as much and didn't stride as far. Again that is just my observation from a video of mediocre quality.

Edited by chester, 29 August 2009 - 06:23 PM.

[SoxScout]

BOSTON -- Ryan Westmoreland walked through the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park Saturday afternoon with a disappointed look on his face.

The Portsmouth native was not here because of a callup. He was visiting the Red Sox' medical staff because of a broken collarbone he suffered making a dramatic catch for Single-A Lowell Friday night. He hurt himself when he crashed into the outfield wall.

Witnesses said Westmoreland ran full speed into the left-center field wall at the exact moment he made the catch, leaving a hole in the plywood wall at LeLacheur Park. The impact left him with a fractured clavicle, but fortunately there was no damage to the shoulder.

After smashing into the wall, he remained on the ground for 15 minutes.

The 19-year-old met with Red Sox team physician Dr. Thomas Gill on Saturday afternoon and will have surgery to repair the break on Tuesday morning at Massachusetts General Hospital. Westmoreland will have a plate and screws inserted during the procedure.

After the surgery on Tuesday, Westmoreland will begin his rehab and if it goes as planned, he should be healthy and ready to begin his offseason workouts in late November or early December.

http://soxblog.projo...orelands-s.html

Edited by SoxScout, 29 August 2009 - 07:26 PM.

[Gambler7]

I was at the game right behind home plate where his Dad sits. HE literally ran full-speed into the hard plywood wall. Looked like he didn't know how close he was to the wall at all, the ball went in his glove and then a huge "BOOM" is all you could hear and he went down like he was shot.

The runner rounded the bases and no call was made until the umpire ran out and checked his glove and then made the out call all the way near the warning track to a good amount of cheers. He stayed down for a while, they brought out a grounds-crew vehicle to help him out but he ended up getting up and walking off the field under his own power holding his arm up.

His Dad was going back and forth from his seat then towards the press box, but he came back down after a while and motioned to someone that they think it was his collarbone. He then went out towards the Lowell dugout and Gary Disarcina told him to come down and he jumped the railing and went down through the dugout.

It was an amazing catch, no clue how he held on to that ball. Sucks for Lowell, they will miss him in the playoffs, but at least it's not anything that should affect him long-term. I was worried about a broken wrist at first.

[Puffy]

New fluff piece on Westmoreland from his hometown newspaper:

Projo article on Westmoreland

Lots of quotes from DiSarcina and Hazen.

He's bulking up quite nicely.

Westmoreland will enter camp about 20 pounds heavier than he was last season, and it’s all muscle. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder said he’s feeling great and ready to go.