Season Ending Reports: Pawtucket Red Sox

[Cuzittt]

Final Record: 66-73
Final Position: 3rd in North Division (17 1/2 Games back of the Iron Pigs)

Of all the leagues to cover in a prospect series, AAA is by far the worst. Because, while there may be some prospects on a given team... it is largely an extension of the Major League Club, some break glass in case of emergency guys, a bunch of filler, and Rusney Castillo. Hope and Dreams don't stop in Pawtucket, this is real life.

Offense:

Befitting the fact that this is not the place for prospects, the youngest offense in the league (Buffalo Bisons) clocked in at 24.7 years of age. The League average, 26.5. The PawSox... 27.7... with only the Iron Pigs and the Chiefs of Syracuse clocking in as more geriatric. Extra experience did not help the PawSox offense however, clocking in with only 3.85 runs scored per game... with only the Knights of Charlotte and the Red Wings of Rochester scoring less. Their Slugging (.367) and OPS (.685) was only worsted by Rochester... while their OBP made it all the way to fourth worst at .318. Oddly, Batting average was midpack at .249.

The team was midpack in hits (1158), fourth worst in doubles (224), last in triples (10 - 9 fewer than any other team), and third to the bottom in homers (101... with Syracuse and Rochester hitting fewer). The PawSox were third worst in runs (535), were fourth BEST in walks (440), midpack in hit by pitches (47) and in Ks (1138). The team was in the upper quartile in GIDP (107) and in the bottom half in stolen bases (64).

Pitching:

The pitching was also on the older side, clocking in at 27.2 (with Syracuse and Columbus more elderly, the league average being 26.2, the Youngest being the Young Yankees of Pennsylvania who clocked in at 24.8). Unlike the offense, the pitching kept the team in games with an ERA of 3.45 and an R/9 of 4.01 (2nd to Rochester). They were fourth in the league in WHIP (1.262) with their hits allowed (1127) being sixth best and their walks allowed (413) being fifth in the league. The team was second in the league in Strikeouts (1221 – behind the Durham Devil Rays) as well as HBP (60). On the semi-negative side... they did give up 117 dingers, fifth most in the league.

Next... the individuals. We'll start with the pitching this time just to highlight the pipeline to Boston.

 

[Cuzittt]

Pitchers (Who made it to Boston):

William Cuevas: Started 23 games for the Pawsox with a team high 135 1/3 innings pitched. Went 10-7 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.167 WHIP with 121 Ks. Gave up the most homers on the team with 17. Has pitched in four relief games for the Parent Club (thus far) with a 3.68 ERA.

Justin Haley: Started 22 games for the Pawsox with 113 2/3 innings tosses. Went 6-8 with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.381 WHIP. Struck out 107 batters. Pitched in four games (in June and early July) in Boston with two clean innings in his first two appearances (in blowout wins) and two messier innings in his later appearances (in blowout losses).

Jalen Beeks: Started 16 games for the PawSox with a 5-5 record, a 3.40 WHIP, and a 1.088 WHIP over 87 1/3 innings. Struck out 117 (12.1 K/9). Had two different games in Boston (one in June, one in July)... neither went too well (9 runs allowed in 6 1/3 innings). Trade to Tampa for Nathan Eovaldi where (aside from his first appearance) has been reasonably decent.

Robby Scott: Lefty spent most of the season in Pawtucket, going 3-3 with 3 saves in 45 relief appearances. Put up a 1.86 ERA and a 1.159 WHIP over 48 1/3 innings with 63 Ks. Had three separate stints with Boston (one appearance in June, one in July, and one thus far in September)

Bobby Poyner: Started the season with Boston, giving up two runs over seven innings in six appearances before being demoted to Portland, where he made one appearance. Bounced back and forth between Pawtucket and Boston through June... where he made his residency in Rhode Island permanent. Put up a 3.03 ERA over 32 2/3 innings over his final 24 games in Pawtucket with 24 Ks. Got the recall to Boston for September duty, and has pitched four times thus far.

Ryan Brasier: 30-year-old righty made it back to the majors five years after his initial debut (2013 Angels)... which he filled with two years (essentially) lost to injury, a year in the Music City, and a year in Hiroshima. Fought his way back to the majors with 34 relief appearances totaling 40 1/3 innings in Pawtucket; recording a 1.34 ERA on a .547 OPS against. Has been nearly as brilliant in Boston over 27 relief appearances (27 1/3 innings) with a 1.65 ERA and a .513 OPS against. Poster Child for the thought that EVERY PLAYER IN PAWTUCKET is an extension of the MLB team (except Rusney).

Marcus Walden: Like Poyner, started the season in Boston where he put up a 3.68 ERA and a 1.159 WHIP over eight appearances (14 2/3 innings). Returning to Pawtucket in May, was placed back into a starting role (one which he excelled in 2017), but was unable to ramp up (12 IP in 5 starts) before being injured and placed on the DL for a month and a half. Returning from injury in July (with a couple of games in Lowell), was mostly good in the same type of relief role he had in Boston early in the year (14 games, 3.38 ERA, .682 OPS against).

Brandon Workman: Spent the first two months of the year in Pawtucket, putting up a 4.18 ERA (bloated due to a six run, no out outing in his second appearance of the season) with a .559 OPS against over 15 games. Since being called up in June, has been dropped back down twice (for one appearance each) due to roster issues. Has a 2.41 ERA and a 1.125 WHIP over 37 games with Boston.

Tyler Thornburg: We'll talk about Tyler as his rehab extended much longer than most pitchers. Thornburg tossed 18 games down in the minors this season (3 for Portland), putting up a 4.96 ERA and 1.408 WHIP over 16 1/3 innings. Has not been much better in Boston over 24 appearances. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome...it's tough to come back from.

 

[Cuzittt]

Pitchers (who didn't make it to Boston):

Chandler Shepherd: Has the very odd distinction of being the only player on the current 40-man roster (non 60-Day DL division) to not play in Boston this season. After four professional seasons as a reliever, was converted to a starter and did reasonably well. Over 25 starts and 129 2/3 innings, put up a 3.89 ERA and a 1.357 WHIP with a 7-10 record. After four seasons in the pen... it is not surprising that he had difficulty extending long into the game, with seven of his outings ending before reaching five frames and only three extending into the seventh.

Josh Dwayne Smith: In his second season with the Red Sox organization, the left-hander put up a 3.01 ERA and a 1.297 WHIP over 28 games (split equally between starting and relieving). Struck out 97 in 98 2/3 innings for Pawtucket. This year's Marcus Walden.

Josh Allen Smith: Not to be confused with the Josh Smith right above, this Josh Smith has made the majors (for the Reds and the A's) and is right handed. Signed by the Sox after his release from the Mariners (he gave up 17 runs in four outings for the AAA Rainiers), Smith continued his ugliness in Pawtucket in early June (14 runs in 3 games and 7 1/3 innings). Settled down in his final 15 appearances (largely in starts), putting up a 2.84 ERA and a .578 OPS against with 70 Ks and 66 2/3 innings. On 6/20, relieved Josh Smith in an all Josh Smith game in a 10-2 win over Buffalo.

Fernando Rodriguez: Veteran of the pitching staff at 34-year-old. Multi-inning reliever put up a 3.11 ERA and a 1.079 WHIP in 24 relief appearances (46 1/3 innings). Was also one of the go-to spot starters, putting up a 3.44 ERA and a 1.418 WHIP over 18 1/3 innings in six starts. Struck out 71 in 64 2/3 innings.

Williams Jerez: Left-handed reliever couldn't quite get to Boston, putting up a 3.63 ERA and a 1.385 WHIP over 34 relief appearances in Pawtucket before being traded to the Angels in the Ian Kinsler trade. Struck out 69 in 52 innings with the Pawsox. 26-year-old has pitched in 10 games for the Los Angeles Angels, putting up a 6.30 ERA and a 1.600 WHIP over 10 innings.

Kyle Martin: Put up a 3.33 ERA and a 1.305 over 30 games (51 1/3 innings) with 57 Ks for Pawtucket. With no pathway to Boston, Martin asked for and received his release in late July.

Ty Buttrey: Was excellent over 32 appearances (44 innings) in relief for Pawtucket, with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.136 WHIP; striking out 64. Traded along with Jerez to Los Angeles for Kinsler. Has giving up only one run in 11 appearances for the Angels.

 

[Cuzittt]

Offense:

We'll begin with those that made an impact in Boston... a far smaller group than the pitchers:

Sam Travis: Supremely disappointing season for the now 1B/LF hybrid. Batted .258/.317/.360 with 13 doubles and 8 dingers. Struck out a career high 89 times in 97 games – for sake of comparison, struck out 77 times in 131 games between Salem and Portland in 2015. Placed on the DL on the first of May with a left intercostal strain... batted .107/.179/.253 in 21 games just before and immediately after coming off the DL. Batted .306/.364/.414 over 49 games from June 30-August 30 (including time in Boston). Three stints in Boston including current stint. Likely will see more time in the OF (where he appears to be adequate with 2 assists and one error in 37 games) with arrivals of Ockimey and Chavis next season.

Tzu-Wei Lin: Played in 68 games for the PawSox with a .307/.362/.448 line with 20 doubles and five homers. When healthy, was the go-to first-man up to Boston. Has a .514 OPS in 24 games for the Red Sox, scattered throughout the season. Currently with Boston. Played at 2B, 3B, and CF and did not commit an error over multiple games. Eight errors in 51 games at SS.

Dan Butler: Veteran catcher caught 67 games for the PawSox, batting .212/.321/.340 with nine doubles and six homers. Saw first MLB action since 2014 in August with Swihart and Vazquez injured.

Tony Renda: Scored winning run in 10th inning against the Yankees on August 5th in his only appearance for Boston. Agreed to a MiLB deal with the Red Sox in late April and spent the first month in AA Portland, batting .367/.444/.544 with eight doubles and two homers before heading to the DL with a broken hand after being hit by a pitch. Returned a month later with seven hits in four games and was promoted to Pawtucket. Slashed .288/.337/.382 in 42 games with the PawSox. Hit 25 extra-base hits over a combined 68 games in AA/AAA while whiffing only 44 times. Super utility skills, playing 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, RF, and DH this season.

Brandon Phillips: 37-year-old began his season in July and may have been called up to Boston before August if not for a minor injury. Forced his way to Boston for September with a .302/.348/.477 line over 38 games in AAA with 14 doubles and 4 HRs. Hit game-winning homer against the Atlanta Braves on 9/5.

 

[Cuzittt]

And... the rest:

Rusney Castillo: Earned a second consecutive IL Post-Season All-Star bid. Led the team with 117 games played, batting .319/.360/.416 with a team high 151 hits, 115 of them singles (31 doubles, 5 HRs). Also led the team in runs scored (56), RBI (59), SBs (13) and CS (7). Grounded into 17 double plays. Well compensated.

Aneury Tavarez: Third full(ish) season in Pawtucket saw the OF continue to struggle, batting .226/.284/.343 with 18 doubles and 8 HRs. Led team with 104 strikeouts and two triples (tied with Lin).

Mike Miller: Middle Infielder had his best season since 2014, batting .284/.346/.359 with 12 doubles and four homers. Batted .385/.439/.486 over 44 games between 6/29-9/1. Had 30 walks and 10 steals in 102 outings.

Ivan De Jesus: 31-year-old veteran infielder put in 97 games for the Red Sox (2B, SS, 3B) batting .261/.331/.341 with 16 doubles and four dingers. Part of the 2012 Punto Trade.

Mike Olt: 3B/1B veteran batted .214/.346/.412 with 14 doubles and 11 homers over 74 games for Portland (3) and Pawtucket before ending his season with abdominal inflammation in late July. Hard to see a place for the Connecticut native next season.

Mike Ohlman: Ohlman saw action in 69 games (between 1B/C/DH), batting .208/.312/.360 with six doubles and 10 dingers.

Cole Sturgeon: Started the season White Hot in Portland, batting .365/.421/.579 with 9 doubles and 6 HRs over 31 games. Hope for a career resurrection faded in Pawtucket, where Sturgeon flopped around to a line of .214/.277/.286 with six doubles and three dingers over 67 games.

Ramon Flores: Signed as a free agent in the off-season, 26-year-old OF couldn't hack it in Pawtucket, putting up a .215/.299/.308 line over 56 games before being releases. Finished the season in the independent Atlantic League.

Oscar Hernandez: Played 47 games in the catcher position after coming off his PED suspension. Batted .205/.284/.272 with seven doubles and a HR.

Adam Lind: Former MLB player caught on with the PawSox after being released by the Yankees. Batted just .216/.270/.398 with seven doubles and eight HRs over 47 games for the Red Sox. Released August 1st.

Kyle Wren: Signed on the fourth of July after being released by the Brewers. Replaced Flores on the active roster. Did slightly better than Ramon over his 37 games, with a line of .230/.308/.317 with eight extra-base hits.

Jeremy Barfield: Struck out 34 times in 26 games for the PawSox with a woeful .132/.243/.231 line after hitting 28 dingers in 95 games for Portland/Pawtucket last season. Released on May 17th.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

"Sturgeon flopped?"

You couldn't resist, eh? I'm not sure anyone could have resisted.

 

[Cuzittt]

I was debating between flopped and floundered.

 

[nighthob]

I would have been tempted by laid an egg if they weren’t so expensive.