2024 Red Sox MiLB Acquisitions & Removals

[JM3]

In defense of Adams, it was 2-1 when he left the game. The Mount St Mary’s bullpen appears to have struggled somewhat…

(I guess it could have been 2-0…anyway, he gave his team a chance to win. Mt St Mary’s has actually been getting better though. I’ve seen an extended road trip where their only win was a no-hitter. For the opponent)

A guy who allows 1 earned run in 6 innings with 12 strikeouts doesn't need a ton of defending. It also seems like he's been in the lab working hard on his stuff since & it's paid off.

 

[JM3]

Going to assume/hope this is a MiLB Deal with an NRI & probably an opt out for Lucas Luetge. We do lack experienced lefty relievers. Luetge turns 37 in March.

View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1756503334364631341

 

[JM3]

Luetge has had a pretty fascinating journeyman career which includes 0 MLB games between April 2015 & April 2021.

Not sure what kind of magic the Yankees did to him.

View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1756505470934667440

 

[JM3]

Released January 6th - Michael Valera (#232 of 242)

Valera, who turns 25 next month, was another older, low-bonus signing, receiving $7k in July 2019. The 6'2 RHP from San Pedro de Macoris, DR pitched 2 scoreless innings in Rookie Ball in '19 was not able to pitch regularly until '21 due to the COVID year, at which point he had a rough DSL season at age 22, putting up a 7.96 ERA, striking out 11.1 per 9, but walking 5.4 in 31.2 IP.

Walks would be a continuing trend for Valera who spent '22 in the FCL, putting up a 6.64 ERA with 13.7 k/9 & 6.2 bb/9 in 20.1 IP. Valera started '23 repeating the FCL, & had a solid stretch, 2.70 ERA, 10.8 k/9, 2 bb/9 in 13.1 IP & was promoted to A-Ball. Valera again struggled with walks in A-Ball, 5.93 ERA, 12.2 k/9, 5.6 bb/9 in 30.1 IP.

It is not surprising that he was let go based on his advanced age & lack of control. SoxProspects notes that he sits 92-94 & tops out at 96, but lacks secondary pitches, control or command.

https://www.soxprospects.com/players/valera-michael.htm

View: https://twitter.com/brendan_camp/status/1758620764750725152

 

[JM3]

I should probably put this here & not just in the rankings talk but the Red Sox traded John Schreiber to the Royals for David Sandlin, which seems like a really shrewd move & a good return for a fungible reliever. Here's a Lance Broz writeup on Sandlin's arsenal:

Sandlin's data is a mixed bag. 4S-Sweeper-Split-Curve Stands 6-foot-4 but his extension is around 5.6' (4th percentile). Fastball averaged 94-95, 17" induced vertical from a 6.2' release. Nets out to below average in a stuff model. Threw it 60% last year. .330 xwOBA is good. Slider is a sweeper. 84-85 with 9" sweep, above-average pitch. Clear feel for it, above-average zone, strikes and swing-miss. Splitter looks great. 88 mph, spin around 1.6k, 11" vertical separation from 4S. 40% swing-miss and chase here. Even with fastball success, I think that usage is bound to come down given the underlying grade. Will probably be limited by that pitch long term, but sweeper-splitter are both above-average on shape and have results to back it up.

View: https://twitter.com/LanceBroz/status/1758908410211217547

The Red Sox might see some potential to increase the extension on a guy who reportedly was hitting 100 this off season & showed good control in A-Ball last year.

The extension on that still says 5'9, so moving in that direction.

View: https://twitter.com/aduvall013/status/1753540824988569989

 

[JM3]

Here's that Sandlin video:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YVib4vGyu/?igsh=MWRkNmoxdW55cTlyaA==

 

[JM3]

Some more Sandlin plaudits:

View: https://twitter.com/RotoClegg/status/1758895800061509876


View: https://twitter.com/IanCundall/status/1758911377240908148


View: https://twitter.com/IanCundall/status/1758915396793483401

 

[JM3]

More Sandlin stuff...

View: https://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/1758897879249301517

View: https://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/1758899383544754651


View: https://twitter.com/MikeMonaco_/status/1758895207909617748


View: https://twitter.com/BaseballReport_/status/1758909032897847337

 

[LogansDad]

I wonder is he starts in Portland or if they give him a month or two in Salem before he gets moved up. Portland should be a lot of fun this year.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

More Sandlin stuff...

View: https://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/1758897879249301517


View: https://twitter.com/MikeMonaco_/status/1758895207909617748


View: https://twitter.com/BaseballReport_/status/1758909032897847337

The commentator called him the "Sandman" in that clip. Henceforth, this is what we should call him.

 

[JM3]

I wonder is he starts in Portland or if they give him a month or two in Salem before he gets moved up. Portland should be a lot of fun this year.

He only made 2 starts in High-A last year & they weren't great, so I would expect he'll start in Greenville.

The commentator called him the "Sandman" in that clip. Henceforth, this is what we should call him.

SANDMAN it is.

SANDMAN might have impressed the Red Sox holdover people.

On June 9th, SANDMAN had his best start of the season against Salem:

7 IP
0 runs
4 hits
1 bb
9 k's

Interesting consistency - he never allowed more than 3 ER in any start all season.

 

[simplicio]

I have a great idea for his walk up music

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I have a great idea for his walk up music

I was going to say it, but then I threw up in my mouth.

 

[JM3]

A few other options if we don't want to go with the obvious...

View: https://youtu.be/KrwZD8Mx8CM?si=hluMUkZKTryfFdYe


Whimsical.

View: https://youtu.be/lagKeiqYKz8?si=OQPG4nwOteGZinF2


Peaceful.

View: https://youtu.be/0_3HVeHinDg?si=pvpb88zwH5AneSYs


Slowwww.

 

[JM3]

SANDMAN might have impressed the Red Sox holdover people.

On June 9th, SANDMAN had his best start of the season against Salem:

7 IP
0 runs
4 hits
1 bb
9 k's

View: https://twitter.com/AramLeighton8/status/1667573299113521152

 

[JM3]

McAdam got a couple scouts' takes on Sandman:

Scout No. 1: “Big, strong body, who is just athletic enough to maintain his delivery. Had battled command issues with his fastball and changeup. Has a menu of a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. Must improve walk rate to get to his durability and innings potential. Lacks a bit of feel, but overall, a lot to work with. Projects to fourth or fifth starter or has the floor of a middle-relief role.

“Fastball runs between 93-95 mph, occasionally topping out at 98 mph. Slider is between 85-90 mph with a curve at 77-79 mph ad and a changeup at 89-90 mph. Has below-average control for now but with a chance to upgrade. Could be anywhere from a back-end starter to a multi-inning reliever.”

The walk rate stuff is a bit weird as he walked 1.99 per 9 innings in A-Ball last year. He walked 5 in 8 innings in High-A, but not exactly an actionable sample size.

Scout No. 2: “Sandlin has a mid-90s fastball, with a slider, curve and a changeup/splitter. None of the pitches are plus outside of his fastball velocity. This looks to be like a swap of a platoon righthanded reliever for an A-ball potential starter. In other words, a present guy with a limited ceiling for, potentially, a higher-end return with risk.”

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/02/scouts-take-on-red-soxs-starting-pitching-prospect-acquired-from-kansas-city.html

 

[JM3]

Here's my bb/9 list updated to include Sandman:

Jedixson Paez 1.3 (A)
Jordan DiValerio 1.9 (A+)
Max Castillo 2.2 (AAA) - MLFA
Brock Bell 2.3 (A, A+) - MiLB R5
David Sandlin 2.4 (A, A+) - Schreiber trade
Cooper Criswell 2.4 (AAA) - FA
Richard Fitts 2.5 (AA) - Verdugo trade
Isaac Coffey 2.5 (A+, AA)
Hunter Dobbins 2.5 (A+, AA)
Isaiah Campbell 2.6 (AA) - Urias trade
Justin Hagenman 2.6 (AAA)
Nick Robertson 2.7 (AAA) - trade for O'Neill
Ryan Miller 2.8 (AA) - MiLB R5
Justin Slaten 3.0 (AA, AAA) - R5
Ryan Fernandez 3.0 (A, AA, AAA) - R5
Gabriel Jackson 3.0 (A, A+)
Cristian Nunez 3.1 (FCL, A)
Brian Van Belle 3.2 (AA, AAA)
Alex Hoppe 3.2 (A+, AA)
Grant Gambrell 3.3 (A+, AA, AAA)
Jonathan Brand 3.3 (A)
Brandon Walter 3.4 (AAA)
Nathan Landry 3.5 (A, A+)
Yordanny Monegro 3.6 (FCL, A, A+)
Cam Booser 3.7 (AAA)
Greg Weissert 3.8 (AAA) - Verdugo trade
Juan Daniel Encarnacion 3.8 (A+)
Taylor Broadway 3.9 (AA, AAA)
Angel Bastardo 4.1 (A+, AA)

 

[JM3]

Breslow on Sandlin:

“It was a combination of raw stuff, projection and the chance to maybe tweak the usage a little bit and improve performance,” Breslow said about what they saw in the young righty.

& Sandlin's health:

He spent time on the 60-day IL during the second half of last season because of a lat injury. But Breslow said Sandlin “is fully ramped up” for spring training. He will report to minor league camp.

https://www.masslive.com/worcesterredsox/2024/02/red-sox-trade-whos-prospect-david-sandlin-acquired-for-john-schreiber.html

 

[JM3]

JOELY

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1760656236532449594


View: https://twitter.com/PatSullivan05/status/1760656948205088836

 

[JM3]

Bailey on Joely:

“Excited for him. We know health is a priority for him,” Bailey said. “He’s got electric stuff. He’s around here getting his physical done. Excited to meet him. I know he’s a loud, boisterous personality and a good guy to have around so we’re excited to have him back here.”

Bailey said the Rodríguez signing was about adding depth.

“We’ve got to get lefties out. You can’t ever have enough lefties,” he said. “There was an opportunity from the front office to sign him and we jumped at it.”

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/02/red-sox-bring-back-free-agent-left-hander-who-struggled-with-injuries-in-2023.html

 

[JM3]

We have added Jason Alexander.

View: https://twitter.com/GreenvilleDrive/status/1760015847169429747


Turns 31 next week. RHP, 71.2 career MLB innings, all in '22. 18 games, 11 starts, 5.40 ERA.

The only thing not in the blue on his Savant page was his groundball rate (87th percentile).

Sinker/slider/changeup type guy. Sinker got lit up, which is a problem when you throw it more than half the time.

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/jason-alexander-669920?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

5.86 ERA in AAA last year. Less than 6 k/9 at both those spots. I guess this year's Jake Faria?

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds, Alexander is known for his ability to keep the ball on the ground, as evidenced by his 46.1 percent groundball rate with Nashville last year. He could potentially provide the Red Sox with experienced rotational depth at Triple-A Worcester alongside the likes of lefty Brandon Walter and righties Cooper Criswell, Richard Fitts, Grant Gambrell, and Brian Van Belle, among others.

https://bloggingtheredsox.com/2024/02/27/red-sox-sign-former-brewers-righty-jason-alexander-to-minor-league-deal/

 

[JM3]

& removed Andrés Núñez.

View: https://twitter.com/ByAndrewParker/status/1763244823127916785


He had a 5.31 ERA in 20.1 IP for Worcester last year & is 28.

 

[JM3]

Red Sox sign CJ Cron on an MiLB deal. Makes sense to me. They are short a RHH 1B, either with the Sox if Dalbec in AAA, or with WooSox if Dalbec on MLB team.

View: https://twitter.com/itsbrianbarrett/status/1763593265587060882


I expect Cron will make the MLB team barring additional moves or being awful.

Pablo can cover all the other places Dalbec can plausibly play.

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

Bonaci suspended for the entire 2024 season.

“A highly-regarded Red Sox minor league prospect will miss all of the 2024 season.

Infielder Brainer Bonaci was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, according to the Boston Globe.”

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/02/red-sox-prospect-suspended-for-entire-2024-season-report.html

 

[zenax]

Bonaci suspended for the entire 2024 season.

“A highly-regarded Red Sox minor league prospect will miss all of the 2024 season.

Infielder Brainer Bonaci was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, according to the Boston Globe.”

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/02/red-sox-prospect-suspended-for-entire-2024-season-report.html

When did the Globe change its URL to masslive.com?

 

[Ferm Sheller]

When did the Globe change its URL to masslive.com?

It didn't. The story on masslive.com is crediting the Globe as the source of the news. That's not Heating Up In The Bullpen talking, he's merely quoting the story from masslive.com.

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

It didn't. The story on masslive.com is crediting the Globe as the source of the news. That's not Heating Up In The Bullpen talking, he's merely quoting the story from masslive.com.

Yes, exactly. Thanks.

 

[JM3]

4 guys released:

03/01/24	FCL Red Sox released C Enmanuel Martinez.
03/01/24	FCL Red Sox released SS Bryant Zayas.
03/01/24	Portland Sea Dogs released RHP Yusniel Padron-Artiles.
03/01/24	Salem Red Sox released LHP Connor Butler.

Martinez #263
Zayas # 185
Padron-Artiles #248
Butler #180

 

[JM3]

View: https://twitter.com/SoxProspects/status/1764040295769919999


YPA is 26 & was last really seem being not very good in Greenville in '21. He was signed as an IFA for $75k in June '18.

Martinez signed for $5k in June '22 & never really got much run. He had a 24 wRC+ in 30 PAs after being promoted to FCL.

Zayas was signed as a UDFA after the '22 draft. He had a 64 wRC+ last year for the FCL Sox in his age 19 season, striking out 33% of the time.

Butler was the Red Sox 20th round pick in '22, getting a $72,500 bonus. He was wild af last year. Across FCL & A-Ball he struck out 10.9 per 9 but walked 11.2 per 9 in 27.1 innings. The 6'0 lefty apparently hasn't sorted out that whole control thing yet this Spring.

 

[JM3]

Cron is official as of today:

03/03/24

Boston Red Sox signed free agent 1B C.J. Cron to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1764306124214296902

 

[YTF]

Bonaci suspended for the entire 2024 season.

“A highly-regarded Red Sox minor league prospect will miss all of the 2024 season.

Infielder Brainer Bonaci was suspended for violating Minor League Baseball’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, according to the Boston Globe.”

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/02/red-sox-prospect-suspended-for-entire-2024-season-report.html

That decision was effectively a no-brainer.

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

That decision was effectively a no-brainer.

Punny!

 

[JM3]

We have bid Wandy adieu.

03/03/24FCL Red Sox released RHP Wandy Abreu.

He was my #225. Was decidedly mid last year in FCL - 4.76 ERA, 5.27 xFIP, 7.7 k/9, 4.7 bb/9.

& just for fun, here's something I wrote in the Salem thread in mid-January...

Here is the way-too-early A-Ball roster projections from SoxProspects (https://www.soxprospects.com/2024.htm):

Rotation
LHP Connelly Early
RHP Nicholas Judice
RHP Elvis Soto
RHP Luis Cohen
RHP Wandy Abreu
RHP Francis Hernandez

It will be an interesting mix in Salem because a lot of the guys projected for both the bullpen & the rotation have pitched either very little or not at all, including Early & Judice. Elvis is the only one in the projected starting rotation who pitched in Salem last year, pitching 24 pretty decent innings. Wandy was pretty bad in FCL & I wouldn't think they would want him in the A-Ball rotation. Hernandez was a good results, bad underlying guy, & he was mostly a reliever in the FCL last year (14 games, 27.1 innings), so I wouldn't expect him to be in the rotation either. I'm a big LuCo guy, though, & think he was the Red Sox best FCL pitcher last year...which wasn't that high of a bar unfortunately. I would expect the other 2 starters to come from the bullpen group of '23 draftees (Wehunt/O'Donnell/Feeney/Carlson), Mullins, or Stebens who, like Judice, was a multi-inning reliever in college. Willian Colmenares is someone who I would expect to take the Elvis route & be part of the Salem rotation a bit later in the year. Eybersson Polanco is another potential candidate for that mid-season promotion.

View: https://twitter.com/SoxProspects/status/1764706805488161176

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

That $1000 was likely the difference between real ketchup and the crap they served at Fenway last year

 

[JM3]

03/11/24	FCL Red Sox released OF Deundre Jones.
03/11/24	Greenville Drive released RHP Nate Tellier.
03/11/24	Greenville Drive released LHP Jorge Rodriguez.
03/11/24	Greenville Drive released RHP Jordan DiValerio.
03/11/24	Salem Red Sox released RHP Luis De La Rosa.

I discussed LDLR at length recently & really don't get cutting him if he's a decent human, but what do I know?

Jones #179 - Couldn't hit in FCL last year.

Tellier #273 - Not good in Greenville & older.

JRod #128 - Assume he never got healthy.

DiValerio #231 - A bit better than Tellier, but not much. Didn't walk anyone but lacked stuff.

LDLR #52 - RIP

 

[JM3]

Another Tread guy, Conor Steinbaugh, signs with the Red Sox per his social media (Cooper Adams was the last one).

View: https://twitter.com/conorsteinbaugh/status/1769433264882602151


View: https://twitter.com/conorsteinbaugh/status/1760135707035603114

View: https://twitter.com/TurnerGivens/status/1762920415398109401


6'0 righty who turns 25 in May. Played for Akron.

 

[simplicio]

That's showing not found for me, is that a Twitter thing or did he delete it?

 

[JM3]

That's showing not found for me, is that a Twitter thing or did he delete it?

I think it's a Twitter thing because it's there & pinned. I tried redoing it like 3 times when I made the post without success.

https://twitter.com/conorsteinbaugh

 

[JM3]

Maybe the Instagram one posts better:

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4oCyl7uKiv/?igsh=MWFwZWtoYmUycG1wYg==

 

[JM3]

View: https://twitter.com/SamEades13/status/1699140938797293720


View: https://twitter.com/SamEades13/status/1746200801188433963

 

[JM3]

View: https://twitter.com/brendan_camp/status/1769768616147239124


Godman was my #215. Dealt with a lot of injuries the last couple years.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

View: https://twitter.com/brendan_camp/status/1769768616147239124


Godman was my #215. Dealt with a lot of injuries the last couple years.

With a name like that I guess he was just cut out for a higher alternative

 

[JM3]

With a name like that I guess he was just cut out for a higher alternative

Jaret does sound like a rodeo name.

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1A03SzO7Q0/?igsh=NTFqMjZ6ZTdsZHNl


He does have a Bible verse in his Insta bio...

Romans 6.23...

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Will need a Biblical scholar on this one.

Betting the Sioux City over...

View: https://twitter.com/brendan_camp/status/1770144619969331421

 

[simplicio]

LDLR not being able to find another milb job seems at least as surprising as his release in the first place. Some makeup issues at play?

 

[JM3]

LDLR not being able to find another milb job seems at least as surprising as his release in the first place. Some makeup issues at play?

That's my working assumption... but I really don't know? MiLB jobs are a lot scarcer than they used to be, but statistically speaking LDLR was very good in A-Ball at age 20, & finished the season very strong.

I think the Red Sox releasing him is more surprising than no one else picking him up because once one team does it, you're left to think there have to be some kind of red flags.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

LDLR not being able to find another milb job seems at least as surprising as his release in the first place. Some makeup issues at play?

Lots of folks confuse Rouge and Rogue.

 

[JM3]

Welcome to the org Bryce Bonnin Ribeye.

View: https://twitter.com/SoxProspects/status/1770798771498008751

Two new RHPs in #RedSox ML camp: Bryce Bonnin & Conor Steinbaugh. Bonnin was a 3rd rd pick by the Cubs in 2020. Missed 2023 w/ a shoulder impingement. Has reportedly topped out at 99 mph in the past. Steinbaugh is an Akron alum, got his velo up to 94 mph in Feb workouts.

SP is a bit confused. He was drafted in the 26th round in '17 but didn't sign & then by the Reds in the 3rd round in '20.

Released by the Reds on the 11th.

View: https://twitter.com/HeyGingersaurus/status/1767295388464058469


View: https://twitter.com/ATBBTTR/status/1271222886402056193

 

[JM3]

I'm sure signing Chase Anderson impacts the MiLB somehow. Trickle down pitchanomics.

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1771621119943946590


Looks like if he only threw cutters, sweepers & changeups, he would be a fine pitcher. Make it so.

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/chase-anderson-502624?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

 

[JM3]

View: https://twitter.com/SPChrisHatfield/status/1772037619322392715

 

[JM3]

03/24/24Greenville Drive released RHP Maceo Campbell.
03/24/24Greenville Drive released OF Gilberto Jimenez.
03/24/24Salem Red Sox released RHP Garrett Ramsey.
03/24/24Salem Red Sox released SS Lyonell James.
03/24/24Worcester Red Sox released SS Joe Dunand.
03/24/24Worcester Red Sox released 1B C.J. Cron.

CAMPBELL #213 - Maceo is sad for only reasons that me & @sittingstill know, but it's not too surprising as they are clearing out that '20 UDFA class & he has had trouble throwing strikes.

JIMENEZ #113 - I wasn't doing this when Jimenez was #4, & it was a really fallow time for the system... but yeah, idk. Probably time to move on.

RAMSEY #165 - Breslow doesn't seem too into some of the Bloom later draft picks. Ramsey was a 16th round pick in '22.

JAMES #121 - I feel like I was a bit of an irrational Lyonell stan at times, but an 82 wRC+ last year isn't particularly good. He was 20 & put up a 149 wRC+ in the FCL the year before, so kind of expected him to get another shot.

DUNAND #136 - He was not there very long. The 28 y/o has 11 career MLB PAs.

CRON - Not a prospect.